Salmond pleads for trust as poll heads to finish

ALEX Salmond has issued a personal plea to Scotland in an open letter to the nation.
First Minister Alex Salmond speaks to the media after a photocall  with Business leaders at Edinburgh AirportFirst Minister Alex Salmond speaks to the media after a photocall  with Business leaders at Edinburgh Airport
First Minister Alex Salmond speaks to the media after a photocall with Business leaders at Edinburgh Airport

The First Minister has said voters tomorrow have the chance to determine their country’s future.

Mr Salmond made a direct appeal to voters to use that power to back independence, urging them “let’s do this”.

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He asked Scots to step back from the political arguments and statistics that have defined the two-year campaign and trust in themselves as they step into the polling booth.

First Minister Alex Salmond speaks to the media after a photocall  with Business leaders at Edinburgh AirportFirst Minister Alex Salmond speaks to the media after a photocall  with Business leaders at Edinburgh Airport
First Minister Alex Salmond speaks to the media after a photocall with Business leaders at Edinburgh Airport

Mr Salmond said: “The talking is nearly done. The campaigns will have had their say. What’s left is just us – the people who live and work here. The only people with a vote. The people who matter.

“The people who for a few precious hours during polling day hold sovereignty, power, authority in their hands. It’s the greatest most empowering moment any of us will ever have. Scotland’s future – our country in our hands.

“What to do? Only each of us knows that. For my part, I ask only this. Make this decision with a clear head and a clear conscience.”

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His letter comes the day after Labour leader Ed Miliband was mobbed by Yes supporters during a campaign visit in Edinburgh.

Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a campaign event at Clydebank Town HallBetter Together campaign leader Alistair Darling and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a campaign event at Clydebank Town Hall
Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a campaign event at Clydebank Town Hall

Mr Miliband cut short his visit as opposition campaigners swarmed round the MP, with some shouting abuse.

At the same time Gordon Brown was pleading with Scots not to break up the United Kingdom with a Yes vote in two days’ time, claiming this would lead to a “messy and expensive and costly and difficult divorce”.

The former prime minister said a vote for independence on Thursday would “end every single constitutional link” that Scotland has with the rest of the UK.

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This would impact on currency, jobs, pensions and the armed forces, Mr Brown claimed.

“The effect of September 18 if you vote Yes is to end every single last remaining link that exists, the connections we have, with our friends, neighbours and relatives,” he warned.

“That means all the political and constitutional connections go.”

He argued that would bring about an end to the UK-wide pensions system and the end of the UK Armed Forces.

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The former Labour leader spoke out at a campaign event in Clydebank, less than 48 hours before polling opens in the independence referendum.

If it results in a Yes vote, he warned: “This cannot be a trial separation, this is bound to be a messy and costly and difficult divorce.”

To those who have still to make up their mind how to vote, Mr Brown told them: “If you don’t know, if you haven’t had your questions answered, if you have doubts about what is being said, if there are problems that are not being addressed by the Scottish National Party, if you don’t know, you must consider now voting No.”

And Ed Miliband accused the pro-independence campaign of “ugly” tactics after campaigners hurled abuse at him in chaotic scenes during a visit to Edinburgh.

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The Labour leader was branded an “absolute liar” by protesters when he toured the St James Shopping Centre in what was supposed to be a trip to persuade undecided voters in the final stages of the referendum battle.

Shoppers were trampled and pushed aside as campaigners from both camps clashed.

Meanwhile, polls published today suggest the referendum battle remains too close to call as both sides gear up for a frantic last day of campaigning.