MPs Diary
Less than 100 days to go
With less than 100 days left until the referendum, we’re now moving towards the end of the campaign. It's a choice between having the best of both worlds - a strong Scottish Parliament backed up by the strength, security and stability as part of the United Kingdom; or taking a leap into the unknown with separation.
Time to make up your mind
It will also be the time when many of the undecided voters firm up their opinion as they give more thought to the consequences of separation. Their decision is made easier by the lack of answers from the Nationalists on several of the key issues such as EU membership, what their Plan B is for what would replace the pound or what the start-up costs for a separate Scotland would be. This level of uncertainty has resulted in leading employers raising concerns over the impact of separation on their Scottish operations. B&Q said investment in Scotland was on “pause” until after the referendum while the Scottish Engineering chief executive Bryan Buchan said that large investors are “marking time pending the decision on the referendum for the Scottish operation”.
More powers for Scottish Parliament – but only if we vote No
The Nationalists like to paint a No vote as a vote for the status quo. However, nothing could be further from the truth. We’ve now seen all three parties who want Scotland to remain in the UK set out their proposals for more powers for the Scottish Parliament after a No vote in September’s poll. A No vote in September is a vote to strengthen devolution and to build on the success we’ve had since the Scottish Parliament opened its doors for the first time in 1999. A No vote is a positive vote to see more decisions about Scotland being made here in Scotland without losing the back-up that comes from being part of the UK.
Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reports
Two recent Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reports spelled out exactly why we are stronger and better together as part of the UK. The impartial and expert economists at the IFS concluded that a separate Scotland's deficit "would be around 3% of GDP larger than that for the UK as a whole". That would mean big tax rises or deep spending cuts would be required if we leave the UK. Being part of the UK means our money is better protected and public services aren’t put at risk.
Together we can
A No vote being a vote for more powers for the Scottish Parliament is a message that is resonating with the public. The latest opinion poll showed a 20% point lead for a No vote. While that is encouraging we are certainly not complacent and will campaign for every vote between now and the referendum. However, we need everyone across the local area who wants Scotland to stay within the United Kingdom to get involved in the campaign. The last thing anyone wants is to wake up on Friday 19 September, see the result and wish that they had done more. As part of the UK we can have the best of both worlds. We can have a strong Scottish Parliament, with the guarantee of more powers, backed up by the strength, security and stability of being part of the larger UK. The Nationalists want us to risk all that on the strength of empty promises. Scots need a bit more than “it’ll be alright on the night” from the Nationalists.
President Obama calls for UK to stay united
Speaking at the G7 Summit, President Obama said ‘There is a referendum process in place and it is up to the people of Scotland. The United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least it looks like things have worked pretty well. And we obviously have a deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we will ever have remains a strong robust united and effective partner. But ultimately these are decisions that are to be made by folks there’. As a global statesman President Obama understands that interdependence is a defining feature of our modern world, and that building bridges, not putting up new barriers, is the challenge of our generation.
Less than 100 days to go
With less than 100 days left until the referendum, we’re now moving towards the end of the campaign. It's a choice between having the best of both worlds - a strong Scottish Parliament backed up by the strength, security and stability as part of the United Kingdom; or taking a leap into the unknown with separation.
Time to make up your mind
It will also be the time when many of the undecided voters firm up their opinion as they give more thought to the consequences of separation. Their decision is made easier by the lack of answers from the Nationalists on several of the key issues such as EU membership, what their Plan B is for what would replace the pound or what the start-up costs for a separate Scotland would be. This level of uncertainty has resulted in leading employers raising concerns over the impact of separation on their Scottish operations. B&Q said investment in Scotland was on “pause” until after the referendum while the Scottish Engineering chief executive Bryan Buchan said that large investors are “marking time pending the decision on the referendum for the Scottish operation”.
More powers for Scottish Parliament – but only if we vote No
The Nationalists like to paint a No vote as a vote for the status quo. However, nothing could be further from the truth. We’ve now seen all three parties who want Scotland to remain in the UK set out their proposals for more powers for the Scottish Parliament after a No vote in September’s poll. A No vote in September is a vote to strengthen devolution and to build on the success we’ve had since the Scottish Parliament opened its doors for the first time in 1999. A No vote is a positive vote to see more decisions about Scotland being made here in Scotland without losing the back-up that comes from being part of the UK.
Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reports
Two recent Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reports spelled out exactly why we are stronger and better together as part of the UK. The impartial and expert economists at the IFS concluded that a separate Scotland's deficit "would be around 3% of GDP larger than that for the UK as a whole". That would mean big tax rises or deep spending cuts would be required if we leave the UK. Being part of the UK means our money is better protected and public services aren’t put at risk.
Together we can
A No vote being a vote for more powers for the Scottish Parliament is a message that is resonating with the public. The latest opinion poll showed a 20% point lead for a No vote. While that is encouraging we are certainly not complacent and will campaign for every vote between now and the referendum. However, we need everyone across the local area who wants Scotland to stay within the United Kingdom to get involved in the campaign. The last thing anyone wants is to wake up on Friday 19 September, see the result and wish that they had done more. As part of the UK we can have the best of both worlds. We can have a strong Scottish Parliament, with the guarantee of more powers, backed up by the strength, security and stability of being part of the larger UK. The Nationalists want us to risk all that on the strength of empty promises. Scots need a bit more than “it’ll be alright on the night” from the Nationalists.
President Obama calls for UK to stay united
Speaking at the G7 Summit, President Obama said ‘There is a referendum process in place and it is up to the people of Scotland. The United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least it looks like things have worked pretty well. And we obviously have a deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we will ever have remains a strong robust united and effective partner. But ultimately these are decisions that are to be made by folks there’. As a global statesman President Obama understands that interdependence is a defining feature of our modern world, and that building bridges, not putting up new barriers, is the challenge of our generation.