MPs set to ‘ lovebomb’ voters as polls tighten

WESTMINSTER politicians from across the UK are set to play a bigger role in the campaign to save the Union.

MPs could be f reed f rom parliamentary duties to allow them to join the final days of the referendum campaign, and David Cameron has instructed members of his own party to ‘lovebomb’ Scotland.

The move follows polls last month that found the race was tightening, and the decision to rule out a deal to share the pound with an independent Scotland has not killed off the threat of separation as many had expected.

Mr Cameron addressed a private meeting of Tory MPs last week on the issue, and the referendum was also discussed by the Coalition Cabinet.

Reports suggest the talks were brutally honest about the prospect of an Alex Salmond victory, and one minister said: ‘The failure of the Scottish Labour party to get its act together is really worrying.’

The Scottish Daily Mail understands that both Mr Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband will visit Scotland frequently in the coming months. One Sunday newspaper reported that party managers are also in discussions to ensure no significant legislation is debated at Westminster in early September to free up MPs.

A Labour source was reported as saying: ‘It is in both our interests to ensure Scottish MPs can be north of the Border to campaign.

‘This isn’t an issue for the Tories as they only have one MP. This is the most important decision our country faces, so working together makes sense.’

MSPs have voted to take a four-week holiday before the referendum on September 18.

The SNP used its majority to change the dates of Holyrood’s traditional summer recess, ensuring MSPs can spend the last crucial weeks campaigning.

The summer break will last for nine weeks as usual, but will be split into two periods.

The Tories wanted to keep the original nine-week recess and take an extra week off immediately before the referendum.

But the Nationalists ’ preferred option was approved by 65 votes to 51 last year.