Financial experts in the US have been told that the UK’s response to the global banking crisis was a key argument for Scotland remaining in the union.
Former chancellor Alistair Darling claimed yesterday that Scotland had greater economic security by remaining part of the UK – without losing its unique identity.
The leader of the Better Together campaign made the remarks at an International Monetary Fund seminar in Washington.
Mr Darling, who oversaw the rescue of Royal Bank of Scotland and HBOS in 2008, said: “Scotland has a unique identity, culture and heritage that is celebrated throughout the world. We don’t need to choose between our unique Scottish identity and the security that comes from being part of something bigger – we can have both.
“It was because we had the back-up of the larger UK that we were able to prevent the collapse of the Scottish and UK economy. If we went our separate ways that simply would not have been possible.
“The ability to pool and share our resources, rather than the burden falling on Scottish shoulders alone, is a clear, positive benefit of being part of the UK.”
Mr Darling is holding a private discussion about the independence referendum with students and academics at Johns Hopkins University in Washington today.
Meanwhile, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has pointed to a vote in Quebec, Canada, as evidence that politicians must accept referendum outcomes and move on.
The province’s Liberal Party is set to form a majority government after defeating Parti Quebecois, which is fighting for independence, on Monday.
Mr Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, said: “I believe there are interesting lessons for Scotland from the Quebec election campaign and result.
“There is evidence that by re-heating the independence referendum debate once more, those who would prefer to leave Canada have put off plenty of people in Quebec. It tells me that when you put a very important question to the people then you must respect the decision the people provide you with.”