Referendum round-up: Tony Blair

Get the latest on the referendum on our Scottish independence site. Picture: Jane Barlow

TODAY’S MAIN NEWS:

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has stated that he believes that Scotland will vote against independence in September’s referendum.

Blair also said that he believes the pro-UK Better Together campaign has improved as the debate has continued.

Meanwhile, a group of veterans from the famous Upper Clyde Shipyards work-in of the early seventies have declared their support for Scottish independence.

Seven stalwarts of the anti-Tory government protest, which was led by the late Jimmy Reid, have written an open letter to present-day ship yard workers and related businesses urging them to back a Yes vote.

In other news, Tony Benn, the late Labour MP, was opposed to Scottish independence but passed away before he could make his feelings known publicly, according to his brother David.

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS:

Our Scottish independence site showcases some of the best comment, analysis and opinion from across the web; here are some of our favourite articles from the last 24 hours.

Jonathan Jones: Scotland should follow its art and vote ‘No’

• The Guardian’s art writer Jonathan Jones calls for Scotland to vote ‘No’ to independence, and cites the success of Scotland’s artists within British institutions as an example of the benefits Scotland gains from being in the UK.

Liam Turbett: ‘These crap celebrities don’t want Scotland to leave them’

• Liam Turbett of VICE Magazine casts his eye over the much-maligned ‘Let’s Stay Together’ video launched last week in support of the UK.

James Stafford: Scottish independence after the financial crash

• James Stafford looks at the SNP’s past and present plans on the issue of currency in an independent Scotland.

100 Weeks of Scotland: Kelso Common Riding

• Photographer Alan McCredie’s 100 Weeks of Scotland project continues at the Kelso Common Riding. See this week’s photos here.

Madeleine Bunting: My British identity is in Scotland’s hands now

• The Guardian’s Madeleine Bunting gives her conclusions on the Scottish independence debate in the last of a three-part series.

Bunting’s previous pieces looked at Scottish islanders’ take on the debate, and the need for post-referendum reconciliation between the two sides of the debate - you can read the full series via the microsite.

Neal Ascherson: Scottish independence is inevitable

• In this piece for the New York Times, Neal Ascherson looks at the past, present and future of Scottish politics, and assesses that Scottish independence is an inevitable result of the country’s political position.

Lesley Riddoch: Naysayers netting negative reports

• It seems that voting Yes may be better for our health than sticking to an increasingly sick UK, writes Lesley Riddoch.

Peat Worrier: Irregular verbs

• The Lallands Peat Worrier blog looks at the politics around the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the attempts by some politicians to use the event to gain support in the referendum campaign.

• Get the latest referendum news, opinion and analysis from across Scotland and beyond on our new Scottish Independence website

Referendum round-up: Tony Blair | Clyde shipyards