Scottish independence: Unionist campaign tells voters we’re ‘better together’

THE campaign against Scottish independence will use the slogan “Better Together”, on a blue and white background, in the lengthy run-up to the referendum in autumn 2014.

Campaign bosses have pencilled in the formal campaign launch for a date during the week beginning 25 June, with the event due to take place in Edinburgh.

A limited company, Better Together Ltd, has been set up, with former chancellor Alistair Darling and Tory MSP David McLetchie, Scottish Labour front-benchers Richard Baker and Jackie Baillie, and Scottish Lib Dem convener Craig Harrow appointed directors.

Organisers of the campaign, which will have a postal address in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge area, claim the Better Together slogan was thought up after extensive surveys of voters.

A campaign insider said: “The reason we’ve gone for this one is that we did a lot of research on what people’s responses were to the question of why they wanted to be part of the Union, and this was the one that came back the most.

“It’s a positive campaign slogan, and it means we can make a case about a positive future for Scotland within the UK and how we can combat poverty and build a more prosperous society.”

The exact date of the campaign launch has yet to be confirmed, although organisers are planning the timing to coincide with the aftermath of Alex Salmond appearance at the Leveson inquiry into media standards on Wednesday.

Mr Salmond is expected to face difficult questions about his relationship with media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and the “Better Together” campaign is hoping to capitalise on any bad publicity for the First Minister.

The campaign against independence is also expected to have a formal structure to ensure that the representatives of the main unionist parties all have some influence over key decisions.

A campaign insider said: “We are keen to avoid some of the splits that have already emerged in the pro-independence campaign and want it to be as inclusive as possible.”

Charles Kennedy and Annabel Goldie have been confirmed as joining Mr Darling at the helm. Organisers have set a target of amassing a £1 million war chest by the start date for the campaign.

Former Edinburgh MP Mr Darling will be the chairman of the campaign, and he will be joined by former Liberal Democrat leader Mr Kennedy and former Scottish Tory leader Miss Goldie, who will be unveiled as patrons.