Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband to lead rally for UK

Ed Miliband speaks up for the Union in Blantyre yesterday. Picture: PA

Scottish independence: Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband are to lead a rally for the United Kingdom – the first time the two men have shared a platform since Mr Miliband became Labour leader.

The rally will take place in Glasgow next Friday – the same day that Nigel Farage and Ukip hold an event in Scotland.

Mr Miliband admitted he was feeling the pressure on a visit to Scotland yesterday as he launched a passionate appeal for wavering Labour voters to stick with the UK.

He hit the campaign trail in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire as polls show Labour supporters are switching to independence in big numbers, leaving the Yes and No camps almost neck and neck.

Mr Miliband announced a series of senior figures from the party would be in Scotland next week in a bid to persuade people to back the UK. Shadow chancellor Ed Balls and former deputy prime minister John Prescott will both be on the campaign trail in Scotland in the next few days, while Mr Miliband will return next week for a rally with the former prime minister and Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont

Mr Miliband accepted many Labour traditionalists see a Yes vote as the best way to keep the Tories out – but insisted his party can achieve this in next May’s UK election and deliver real change.

“All of us feel a huge sense of responsibility in this because it’s incredibly important for the United Kingdom and the future of our country,” Mr Miliband said.

“It’s incredibly important for building social justice in Scotland and it’s absolutely true that some Labour voters are thinking how do we get rid of this Tory Government.”