Cameron could face calls to postpone UK elections if Scots vote for independence

04 Sep 2014

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UK prime minister David Cameron would face calls to take the unprecedented step of postponing UK general elections due next year by 12 months in the event the Scots voted for independence, to avoid the prospect of a Labour government that would depend on Scottish MPs, The Guardian reported.

As warnings of a "constitutional meltdown" following a yes vote grow louder, Cameron would come under considerable personal political pressure.

An increasing number of Tory MPs say they would call for introduction of legislation to postpone the general election. It would be the first time after 1940, a year into the second world war, that a general election would be postponed.

According to a member of the government, calls for the delay of election would be heard very quickly after the referendum. One simply could not have an election that would produce a Labour government supported by Scottish MPs if the Tories had a majority in the rest of the UK, he added.

Meanwhile, there is a growing sense of panic among MPs from all parties at the prospect of a yes vote after a YouGov/Times poll showed that supporters of independence were for the first time within touching distance of winning the referendum.

Ed Miliband has accused the SNP of attempting to "con" Scottish voters into believing independence was the only way to achieve social justice, BBC reported.

Describing the Conservatives as ''divided and demoralised'' he predicted a Labour government was on its way.

He also claimed Tory policies would be continued by the SNP after independence.

He was speaking as Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond outlined his vision of a fairer Scotland.

With only two weeks to go until the referendum on Scottish independence, and as polls suggested the close finish, both sides had been focusing on undecided Labour voters, who are believed to be one of the keys to victory.

In an interview with BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor, Miliband said the SNP had a "strange strategy" in the referendum campaign.

He added, they wanted to tell people the Tories could not be beaten across the UK and he added he was there to say they could.

"I want a fairer, more equal country. I know so many people in Scotland feel the country is not working for them and they will be wondering should they be voting 'No' in the referendum or should they be voting 'Yes'.

"My strong message is to vote 'No' in the referendum because a Labour government is on the way, a Labour government with genuine proposals for social justice."

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