Opportunities for young people that come from being part of the UK far outweigh any perceived benefits of independence, Alistair Darling has said.
The head of the Better Together campaign said there must be a No vote in September “for the sake of future generations”.
Mr Darling yesterday addressed young people who have signed up to the campaign’s Youth Rep scheme.
Around 350 people will act as ambassadors for the drive to retain Scotland’s place in the UK by speaking in schools, colleges and universities.
The ex-chancellor said young people have supported the union in mock referendums and debates and the idea of leaving the UK “makes no sense to the ‘Twitter generation'”.
He said: “In September we will decide the fate of our young people and generations of Scots to come. It’s the future of our children and their children that is on the ballot paper in September. Do we take advantage of the opportunities available to young Scots from being part of something bigger, or do we take a leap into the unknown? The clear message from some of Scotland’s largest employers, the companies that will create the jobs needed for our young people to succeed and achieve in life, is clear, leaving the UK would cost jobs.
“For the ‘Twitter generation’ the idea of separating ourselves from friends, family and colleagues elsewhere in the UK makes no sense. At a time when the world is coming together and working ever more closely, Alex Salmond’s obsession with separation is old-fashioned.
“Young people can have the best of both worlds as part of the UK – a strong Scottish Parliament, with the guarantee of more powers, backed up by the strength, security and opportunity of being part of the larger UK.”
SNP MSP Clare Adamson, who sits on the Scottish Parliament’s education committee, said: “Last week saw the launch of Generation Yes, the largest movement of pupils, students and young voters Scotland has ever seen. With a Yes vote in September, Scotland’s young people will be the generation that stands up to inequality, rejects Trident and puts Scotland’s future into Scotland’s hands.”