By Marielle Torrefranca and Jeff Sehl
British Prime Minister David Cameron’s news conference got off to a bit of a late start, but judging by the large “Let’s Stick Together” poster hung behind the podium, the message was already clear.
In light of the Scottish independence vote this Thursday, Cameron visited Scotland to campaign for a No vote.
“Let no one fool you that Yes is a positive vision,” said Cameron during his speech. “It’s about dividing people. It’s about closing doors. It’s about making foreigners of our friends and family. That is not an optimistic vision.”
Cameron spoke of consequences of a Yes vote, including the separation of currencies, armed forces and pension plans. He added that border crossing would no longer be as easy, and Scotland would no longer have support from British embassies.
One of Cameron’s main points was that Scotland’s separation from the UK would be a permanent change. He said to his audience that while the current government in place is temporary — including his position — separation is permanent.
Despite Cameron’s many warnings, Dundee, Scotland native Jamie Laing said he would still vote Yes.
“The currency debate is typical scaremongering by the English media [who] are petrified to lose us and our oil,” said Laing, 28. “Scotland can no longer prosper under Tory [or] labour governments. We don’t want to house England’s arsenal of nuclear weapons. We want to be a socialist country and rule ourselves.”
Laing said Cameron’s visit comes too little too late.
“They are at panic stations with the new polls coming out,” he said.
According to the most recent opinion poll on What Scotland Thinks, 49% of poll-takers expressed they were in favour of independence, with 51% against.
With the race this close, Cameron’s message to the Scottish was direct.
“We want you to stay,” said Cameron. “Head, heart and soul — we want you to stay. Please don’t mix up the temporary and the permanent.”