Scottish independence: Residents would cease to be British – Miliband

ED MILIBAND has warned that people in Scotland would cease to be British if they vote for Scottish independence and leave the United Kingdom.

The Labour leader said it “stands to reason” that Scottish residents would not be British any more if Scotland becomes a sovereign nation.

But SNP figures last night called the claim “geographically impossible”, given the close links across the British Isles.

Mr Miliband’s comments came after he made a speech in London yesterday arguing that the debate over the future of the UK should be heard by people from all across the country, not just those in Scotland.

He said people from all four nations could hold “dual identities”, saying Labour needed to do more to encourage a sense of Englishness.

He also took a swipe at Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who said in a newspaper column that breaking up the Union “would be as sad as waving goodbye to a much-loved, if slightly violent, family pet”.

Asked afterwards about the impact of independence, Mr Miliband said: “People can be Scottish and British, it’s OK. And if they feel primarily Scottish that’s fine too. But if they leave the UK they won’t be British any more; it stands to reason.”

The Labour Party leader was also asked about his hope that Scottish supporters would back England in Euro 2012, which starts today. He said: “Should Scots support England? Yes, is the answer.”

He added:“I think England needs as many supporters as it can get in these European Championships. So I would obviously urge them to do so, but I don’t think it makes them un-British if they don’t support England.”

On Mr Miliband’s claim that Scots residents would cease to be British, SNP MP Pete Wishart tweeted last night: “He probably doesn’t even understand how ridiculous and geographically impossible that statement is.”

The party confirmed it intended to offer people dual nationality, able to keep their British passports if they wished.

A Scottish Government policy paper from 2009 states: “Given Scotland’s close ties to the other parts of the British Isles, a positive approach to dual citizenship would be essential.”

SNP MSP Humza Yousaf added: “If Mr Miliband genuinely wants to move the debate forward, he should be laying out just what constitutional change is on offer to both the people of England and Scotland.”