Independence would mean a race to the bottom for workers

Last weekend 18 Scottish footballing legends, with more than 500 Scotland caps between them, urged Scots to make the patriotic choice and Vote No in the referendum. Players of the stature of Alan Hansen and Denis Law, Lisbon lions Bertie Auld and Billy McNeil and Rangers legends Ally McCoist and Walter Smith.

This is a welcome intervention. No one can doubt these players commitment to the jersey or their country. Their intervention lays cold the Yes campaign myth that only those with heart and passion are voting Yes. Their statement and commitment gives life to the fact that every nationalist loves Scotland but not everyone who loves Scotland is a nationalist.

Their intervention comes as we approach the final few days of campaigning before Scotland decides. And the choice is clear. It is social justice across the UK or separation from the UK.

When you look at the track record of the SNP and their plans in the White Paper the choice is a stark one.

Not for them solidarity with workers across the UK but they do offer a race to the bottom on worker’s rights and worker’s pay. Not for the Yes side a commitment to reintroducing the 50p tax rate for the wealthiest but they will give bankers and energy companies a cast iron guarantee of a massive tax cut.

Indeed, a read through the White Paper shows only one redistributive policy – the tax cut for big business with workers paying the price. A plan to take money from the pockets of the less well-off and give it to bankers and energy companies.

This is not the type of country or type of economy I believe most Scots want. That is why it is time for the silent majority to make their voice heard.

The people I speak to on the door-steps will not be bullied into taking a decision they don’t think is best for their family or their community. They know that standing shoulder to shoulder with friends, family and colleagues in other parts of the UK is best for people’s pensions and people’s jobs.

The best thing, of course, is for people to go into the privacy of the polling booth on the 18^th of September and Vote No. But there is more that people can do right now.

By putting up a poster or putting a twibbon on your Facebook or Twitter you can help the No campaign today.