JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s prime minister and main opposition leader are canceling their weekly showdown in Parliament to make a joint last-minute bid to persuade Scots to reject independence.
Cameron also ordered the Scottish flag to fly over 10 Downing St. as a symbol of commitment to Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom.
Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband said Tuesday that they would skip Wednesday’s scheduled House of Commons faceoff and travel separately to Scotland, as will Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats.
”We want to be listening and talking to voters about the huge choice they face,” the three said in a joint statement. “Our message to the Scottish people will be simple: ‘We want you to stay.'”
Britain’s political leaders have been rattled by polls suggesting the two sides are neck-and-neck ahead of a Sept. 18 referendum on independence.
This week Cameron’s Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats all promised Scotland more autonomy — including greater tax-raising powers — if voters say no to separation.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who leads the pro-independence forces, said the last-minute proposals were a “sign of the total disintegration of the No campaign.”
“The polls at the weekend, which caused so much panic in the breasties of the No campaign, actually showed that independence was the most popular option,” Salmond said.
Cameron’s position is tricky. His Conservatives are deeply unpopular in Scotland, and high-profile campaigning by him could boost the Yes side.
He dodged a question about whether he would resign if Scotland votes for independence, breaking up a political union with England that has endured since 1707.
“I really care about this issue,” Cameron said. “I care passionately about our United Kingdom and I want to do everything I can to put the arguments in front of the people.”
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