Brussels, 09/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - Taken off guard by opinion polls predicting victory for the Yes vote in the Scottish referendum on independence to the held on 18 September, British Prime Minister David Cameron will travel to Edinburgh on Wednesday 10 September, accompanied by Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the leader of the Labour opposition, Ed Miliband.
Better Together. In a joint press release, the trio stresses that, although there is a lot that divides them, “there's one thing on which we agree passionately: the United Kingdom is better together”. The three will miss the weekly Prime Minister's Question Time session in order to travel to Scotland to defend their cause. The wind seems to be turning in favour of the pro-independence Yes campaign (see EUROPE 11150).
Commission's position. This close race will not be without consequences for the European Union, which does not appear prepared for this scenario. Supporters of independence would like to stay in Europe, but the European Commission's position suggests that the Treaties of the EU would no longer apply to a territory of a member state that becomes independent. An independent Scotland would therefore be a third country, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, explained in response to a question from Lord Charles Tugendhat. Although the letter in question dates from 2012, this is still the position of the European executive on this matter, an institution spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday 9 September. (MD)