One week to save the Union – and 5 things we’ll see more of

And breathe…

Last night’s Survation poll – showing support for the union 6 points ahead of support for Scottish independence – has allowed a nation to catch it’s breath. At times in the past week and a half, it had felt like Scotland was lurching inexorably towards the exit door. That’s not the case. Whilst the SNP have renewed momentum, in this final, crucial week, the decision is yet to be made, and every vote will count.

More polls will emerge in the coming days – some of which will be phone polls that (in the heightened climate of a referendum race) may prove the clearest indicator of what’s happening on the ground.

But what will we see more of from the pro-union No campaign in the final week? Here are 5 “Mores” to save the union:

More passion – at times in the campaign, it has felt like there’s an energy gap between the two sides of the debate. On one side – the SNP and the separatists, whose cup runneth over with enthusiasm, as the opportunity to achieve the logical conclusion of their nationalist dogma is in sight. On the other side, those who favour the union (of all political stripes) evidently have other passions that drive them in their politics (from inequality, to civil liberty and social justice). In the past week that energy gap has closed. Those who want to retain the union know – as Ed Miliband argued yesterday – that there’s no bigger issue nor a more important task today than keeping Britain together. That rise in energy (hopefully not too late) from the forces of unity has come hand in hand with a more passionate and soulful side of Better Together emerging. The recent pro-union TV broadcast matched key campaign messages with a strong ( broadly Labour) message about the shared achievements of Scotland and the UK as a whole. That passion and energy needs to carry the campaign through the next week.

More clarity – some of the upswing in energy and passion from the No side has come side by side with a renewed offer of “Devo Max”, meaning the message can now be clear, upbeat and unequivocal. Vote No and you get more powers for Scotland, and far quicker than you would under independence – but you still get to be British. Truly the best of both worlds. What’s needed is to drive home that clear message to wavering voters (and those who had slipped from No to Yes in recent weeks) whilst ensuring the offer of what Devo Max means is as clear as possible. There’s still some work to do on that.

More volunteers – are you sitting in England or Wales wondering what you can do about this? Well get yourself to Scotland this week (you will be welcomed, and your support will help). Whilst there are those who resent “the English” on the nationalist side, these people are never going to vote No, and are a small (and small-minded) minority of Scots. Can’t make it to Scotland? Phone banks are cropping up across the country – or if that sounds a bit much, call a friend in Scotland and tell them why staying together means so much to you. Relationships matter – relationships are what this debate is about, on some level.

More Miliband – a not uncontroversial suggestion (an English politician who doesn’t poll that well personally in Scotland), but Ed Miliband leads the party whose voters must decide the fate of Scotland. And he must show the Scottish people that he understands “head, heart and soul” – as he said yesterday – what the union means. Miliband will be in Scotland almost entirely for the next week, and he needs to make his presence count. Survation’s polling suggests Labour voters are increasingly backing the union. That needs to solidify.

More Gordon – cometh the hour, cometh the Gordon. Maligned, traduced, criticised by enemies and friends alike. Gordon Brown’s wilderness years appeared to be upon him. Now, once again, the fate of Britain lies in his hands. If the union in saved, and Britain stays together, Gordon Brown’s reputation should be as the founder of a Federal Britain. He’s tapped into the spirit of the Labour movement that made the party elect him in the first place, and though still flawed, he has a key role to play spearheading the No campaign in the final days. Just over four years ago he was the British Prime Minister. He must tell the Scottish people that his story is that of a union which makes a difference to Scottish lives.