This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Former First Minister of Scotland Jack McConnell has urged the Scots to “save devolution” by backing a ‘No’ vote in the Scottish independence referendum, as he called for a “conference for a new union” to debate U.K. governance after September vote.
Using speech marking the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, Lord McConnell has stated that devolution within the UK is the “best and most positive system” for Scots while insisting that the Scots are “democrats and patriots but not nationalists” to reject the ‘Yes’ campaign.
Lord McConnell served as Labour First Minister of Scotland from 2001-07 and became a Labour peer in 2010.
In his first formal campaign speech at a Better Together event in Edinburgh, Lord McConnell has also indicated to voters that a dislike of either First Minister Alex Salmond or Prime Minister David Cameron is not a valid reason to vote in favour of or against the independence.
He has said: “I have watched over the past two years the debate around the referendum on independence become increasingly polarised between unionism and nationalism.
“I have never described myself as a unionist, although I respect most who do.
“I am not a nationalist, although I respect most Scots who do.
“I am a patriot, a democrat and I believe in a better Scotland in a better world.”
“I appeal to those who believe in Scotland, who care about Scotland, who are democrats and patriots but not nationalists to think twice.
“Not to save the Union. But to save devolution, to save home rule inside the United Kingdom.
“I don’t support a centralised British state, but that is not what we have. I don’t defend colonialism, or subjugation, but that is not what we have.
“The question in September is not about colonialism, subjugation or ‘freedom’ from the English.”
The new results from YouGov poll revealed an increase of two points in favour of ‘no’ side recorded at 54%, as compared to 35% who responded to vote ‘yes’ if the referendum were tomorrow, with 12% were either undecided or would not vote.
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