'SNP Fox shooting' ruled out

Published on Thursday 8 October 2009 22:06

DAVID Cameron pledged that he would "never do anything" to risk the United Kingdom, suggesting he will oppose any attempt to hold a referendum on Scottish independence.

He said the union was an "emotional connection to a way of life" and that he would do everything he could to keep it intact. This indicates strongly that he would not support an independence referendum if elected, as has been suggested by some in his party who believe he should "shoot the Nationalists' fox" by agreeing to hold one.

Despite strong internal support from Scottish figures such as former Scottish secretary Lord Forsyth, Mr Cameron is thought unlikely to back such a radical measure.

Turning to the Union in his speech, he said many people felt "that they don't know what it is to be British". He said there are "people in Scotland who want to leave the United Kingdom and people in England who say let them go.

"I am passionate about our Union and I will never do anything to put it at risk."

The SNP's Angus Robertson said: "While people in Scotland are looking for serious action on jobs and economic recovery, David Cameron was wittering on about ideas of Britishness."