Scottish independence round-up: Cameron | TNS poll

CATCH up on the day in the Scottish independence debate, with this round-up of stories, features and opinion pieces featured on our dedicated referendum microsite.

Picture: HeMedia

UK leaders of the main pro-union parties have announced they will all travel to Scotland tomorrow in a last ditch bid to save the UK. The move follows the news that the fight for Scotland’s future is now neck and neck, according to a TNS poll that puts the Yes and No camps level ahead of next week’s independence referendum.

First Minister Alex Salmond and Better Together leader Alistair Darling are to hold a debate on the influential website Mumsnet tomorrow, in what is expected to be the last direct clash between the two men before voters go to the polls on Thursday next week.

TODAY’S BEST COMMENT AND ANALYSIS

Every day we highlight some of the most interesting and talked-about articles on the Scottish independence referendum - here are some of today’s best pieces, as featured on our Indyref microsite.

• Bruce Morley: Could choppy markets see currency deal done before the referendum?

Bruce Morley, economic lecturer at the University of Bath, looks at the volatility in the financial markets following this week’s polling on the Scottish independence referendum.

Morley suggests that a pre-vote deal on a shared currency for Scotland and the rest of the UK could prevent a market shock the day after results are revealed.

• John Curtice: TNS now say referendum is a dead heat

Polling expert Professor John Curtice looks at brand new polling from TNS-BMRB which shows the Scottish independence referendum deadlocked, with half of Scots in favour of independence and half against.

• When might Scotland declare independence?

If Scotland votes ‘Yes’ on 18 September, when will the country become independent?

We look at some of the key areas for the country’s politicians and civil servants to negotiate in this feature.

• Robert Peston: Could Scotland compete on tax with Westminster?

The BBC’s economics editor Robert Peston looks at new unionist proposals for tax-raising powers for Scotland, and questions whether the proposals would give Scotland a competitive edge.

• Paul Cairney: Beware the Constitutional Convention?

Professor Paul Cairney, Professor of Politics and Public Policy at the University of Stirling, looks at unionist proposals for further devolution.

Professor Cairney highlights the problem the parties face in pitching ideas that will be good for Scotland at the expense of other parts of the UK.

• Geraint Talfan Davies: Wales desperately needs Scottish independence plan

Geraint Talfan Davies, the co-founder of the Institute of Welsh Affairs, sets out the possible future for Wales if Scotland votes for independence in next week’s referendum.

• Charlie Brooker: David Cameron is no help to ‘No’ – he’s less popular in Scotland than Windows 8

Writer and broadcaster Charlie Brooker gives his satirical take on the Scottish independence debate, describing David Cameron as “a ruddy-faced old Etonian with a shiny chin”, and noting the panic and “clammy desperation” within the Better Together campaign.

• Pat Cox: Pragmatic EU will make room for Scotland

Pat Cox, former European Parliament president, believes that Scotland’s entry to the EU will be smoothed by the “pragmatic” EU in order to prevent disruption to Scots and other EU citizens.