Scottish independence: Rural Better Together launch

Alistair Darling launched the Rural Better Together campaign. File picture: Julie Bull

rmers would be thrown into jeopardy by independence.

Former chancellor Alistair Darling launched the Rural Better Together campaign at the Royal Highland Show and insisted the group had received an overwhelming response.

Mr Darling was joined by Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie and the Conservative MSP for Ayr, John Scott, at yesterday’s launch.

The former chancellor said afterwards: “As part of the UK our rural communities and businesses in Scotland have a voice at the top table in Europe, where some of the most important decisions impacting farmers are made.

“It makes no sense to give that up. The message I heard today was loud and clear – we are stronger and better together as part of the UK.”

Rural Better Together will be chaired by Liberal Democrat MEP George Lyon who said farmers had given the group a “great response”.

“Hundreds of people have signed up to join our campaign and farmers were keen to come and find out more,” he said.

“What we are finding is that people have real questions, particularly on EU support. The truth is that we simply do not know what independence would mean for Single Farm Payments and other support.

“Farmers need to know the facts about what splitting from the UK would mean for them.”

He added: “The only thing certain about independence is that it would put many of the things that our farmers depend on at risk.”