‘No going back’ says PM as he pushes for the Union

In a passionate speech making the case for the Union, the Prime Minister set out the “family ties” that have created a strong country.

Warning against a Yes vote in Thursday’s referendum, Mr Cameron reminded voters that independence would be “not a trial separation, it would be a painful divorce.”

Calling on Scotland instead to stick with “the family of nations,” Mr Cameron said: “Let no one fool you that ‘Yes’ is a positive vision. It’s about dividing people, closing doors, making foreigners of our friends and family.”

Speaking in Aberdeen yesterday, Mr Cameron warned voters thay had to think carefully before entering the ballot box in two days’ time.

He said: “I know that there are many people across Scotland who are planning to vote Yes.

“ I understand why this might sound appealing. It’s the promise of something different.

“I also know that the people who are running the Yes campaign are painting a picture of a Scotland that is better in every way, and they can be good at painting that picture.

“But when something looks too good to be true – that’s usually because it is.”

The Prime Minister set out the cost of leaving, from passports to visit loved ones to the dangers for Scotland in having half its mortgages with foreign banks.

He added: “we must be very clear. There’s no going back from this. No re-run. This is a once-and-for-all decision.

“If Scotland votes yes, the UK will split, and we will go our separate ways forever.

Despite the warning, the PM’s speech was essentially a passionate call for the Union.

“This is our message to the people of Scotland. We want you to stay,” he told the audience of business leaders and party members.

“Head and heart and soul, we want you to stay. Please: don’t mix up the temporary and the permanent.

“Don’t think: I’m frustrated with politics right now, so I’ll walk out the door and never come back.

“If you don’t like me – I won’t be here forever. If you don’t like this Government – it won’t last forever. But if you leave the UK – that will be forever.

“Yes, the different parts of the UK don’t always see eye-to-eye. Yes, we need change – and we will deliver it. But to get that change, to get a brighter future, we don’t need to tear our country apart.”

The PM’s speech comes as Ed Miliband prepares to set out 
why a “vote for No is a vote for change”.

The Labour leader will insist that backing independence puts jobs, the economy and the NHS at risk and underline that the decision is irreversible.

He will promise that “things will not go back to the way things were” after Thursday and call on Scots to help lead reform of the British state.

In a speech today Mr Miliband is expected to say: “In the next 
48 hours Scotland faces a 
historic decision which will shape its future and the whole of the UK’s future for centuries to come.

“Down one path by rejecting separatism and voting No there is the promise of change. Change for a stronger Scotland and a better Britain.

“The will of the people of Scotland for economic and political change has been heard and we will deliver.”

Echoing the PM’s promise, Mr Miliband will say: “Change is coming with more powers on tax and welfare for the Scottish Parliament.”

• Specialist referendum coverage from The Scotsman, sister newspaper of The Yorkshire Post