Tom Peterkin: PM has more to lose than just Scotland

ALEX Salmond is so confident that the appearance of Westminster leaders in Scotland can only boost the Yes vote that he offered to pay for David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg’s bus tickets north.

David Cameron does not want the ignominy of being the Prime Minister who lost the Union. Picture: Getty

The First Minister is of the view that the Westminster brand is so toxic, the presence of three high-profile English politicians can only help his cause.

In the unlikely event that they were to take Salmond seriously, the leaders might be persuaded that the most constructive thing they can do would be to stay at home.

But with the finishing post in sight, it was clear that all three Westminster leaders felt that they had to show they care deeply about the future of the United Kingdom.

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In one sense it can be argued that Cameron has least to lose. He only has one MP in Scotland. In contrast, Miliband has 41. A Yes vote would seriously damage his party’s chances of forming a government in what remains of the UK.

Leaving parliamentary arithmetic aside, Cameron has an enormous amount to lose. He does not want the ignominy of being the prime minister who lost the Union. There is also his own political ambitions. Defeat would inevitably lead to calls on him to resign.

There are also his concerns that Great Britain will be diminished minus Scotland – concerns that were outlined by one of his predecessors, Sir John Major, yesterday morning. A crippled nuclear deterrent and the possibility of Britain being ousted from the UN Security Council were among the fears the former Tory prime minister raised.

“For that to be done by the enemy would be a disaster, to have it done by friends is almost unbelievable,” Sir John said.

Faced with all that pressure, Cameron made a pretty good fist of things yesterday. Indeed, it was nigh impossible to come away from the question and answer session held at Scottish Widows in Edinburgh with anything other than the impression that Cameron cares very deeply indeed that the UK remains intact.

“I love my country far more than I love my party,” was Cameron’s pitch. He would be “heartbroken” if Scotland left the “family of nations” that comprise the UK.

His voice wavered as he spoke of Britain’s fight against Hitler – a theme that was echoed by both Miliband and Clegg.

Recalling his recent visit to Shetland, he mentioned the radar stations that detected Nazi bombers trying to destroy the British Fleet at Scapa Flow. Insisting that the vote was one for people in Scotland, Cameron was also keen to pass on the message that people in other parts of the UK wanted Scotland to stay.

“Please don’t think the rest of the UK is indifferent,” Cameron almost pleaded.

It was the sort of appeal to the heart, which many feel Better Together could have articulated more effectively during this long campaign.

Cameron clearly feels it is duty to speak up for the Union. Whether or not it proves to be counter-productive remains to be seen.