The prime minister has urged voters in Scotland to vote no in the forthcoming referendum, saying they are better off in the “family” of the United Kingdom.
David Cameron said the arguments for Scotland remaining part of the UK were “very strong” and said he “very much” hoped Scots voted no in the autumn referendum.
“I very much hope it won’t happen and I don’t believe it will happen because the arguments for keeping the United Kingdom together are very strong,” Mr Cameron said.
“I think we are definitely more prosperous together; we have a chance of growing our economy together and we can export around the world together.
“I think Scotland benefits from our financial services industry; from our defence industry and from our technology and manufacturing industries. I think that if Scotland goes alone and can’t be a part of Sterling because that is a UK currency, I think that would be disadvantageous for them.
“But it’s not just the arguments of the ‘head’ where I think the campaign to keep the United Kingdom together wins, it is the arguments of the ‘heart’ too.
“Think of all the things this family of nations has done together. Whether it’s defeating Hitler or inventing the National Health Service or helping the poorest people in the world.”
Mr Cameron spoke out about the benefits of Scotland remaining part of the UK during a visit to engineering firm Renishaw in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
He said: “What would the consequences be for the rest of the United Kingdom if Scotland left? I think it would be very bad.
“I’m being very frank about that. I’m not simply saying the Scots would be better off inside the United Kingdom, I think we are all better off staying together as a family.”