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Brown vows to fight UK break up Brown vows to fight UK break up
(about 12 hours later)
Gordon Brown has pledged to do "whatever is necessary" to preserve the United Kingdom in the face of demands for Scottish independence.Gordon Brown has pledged to do "whatever is necessary" to preserve the United Kingdom in the face of demands for Scottish independence.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, the prime minister urged pro-Union parties, businesses and trade unions to fight to prevent the break up of the UK.Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, the prime minister urged pro-Union parties, businesses and trade unions to fight to prevent the break up of the UK.
His remarks come after Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander called for an early referendum on independence.His remarks come after Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander called for an early referendum on independence.
She claims she was calling the SNP's bluff, but they ridiculed the move.She claims she was calling the SNP's bluff, but they ridiculed the move.
'Dangers of separation'
In the newspaper interview, Mr Brown publicly backed Ms Alexander, describing her as an "excellent leader" of Labour in Scotland.In the newspaper interview, Mr Brown publicly backed Ms Alexander, describing her as an "excellent leader" of Labour in Scotland.
However, he went on to stress he was personally "not persuaded" of the case for a poll.However, he went on to stress he was personally "not persuaded" of the case for a poll.
He said: "I will do anything and everything to ensure that the case for the Union, which has served Britain and the British people so well, is properly heard and advanced.
Some issues are bigger than politics and need to be addressed in the common interest Gordon BrownSome issues are bigger than politics and need to be addressed in the common interest Gordon Brown
He said: "I will do anything and everything to ensure that the case for the Union, which has served Britain and the British people so well, is properly heard and advanced.
"I want all unionist parties and all parts of business - employers, managers and trade unions - to work together not only to push the case for the Union but to expose the dangers of separation."I want all unionist parties and all parts of business - employers, managers and trade unions - to work together not only to push the case for the Union but to expose the dangers of separation.
"Some issues are bigger than politics and need to be addressed in the common interest.""Some issues are bigger than politics and need to be addressed in the common interest."
Last week, Ms Alexander threw Labour into turmoil in both Scotland and England with her unexpected call for an immediate referendum, having previously said that a poll on independence was unnecessary.Last week, Ms Alexander threw Labour into turmoil in both Scotland and England with her unexpected call for an immediate referendum, having previously said that a poll on independence was unnecessary.
She later said Labour might introduce its own referendum bill in the Scottish Parliament if the SNP would not - apparently contradicting her earlier opposition to a vote.She later said Labour might introduce its own referendum bill in the Scottish Parliament if the SNP would not - apparently contradicting her earlier opposition to a vote.
The prime minister failed to explicitly support her when taunted in the Commons about the row by Tory leader David Cameron.The prime minister failed to explicitly support her when taunted in the Commons about the row by Tory leader David Cameron.
'Re-writing history' Douglas Alexander said he is not contemplating a referendum
Ms Alexander has now said that as a minority party in the Scottish Parliament, Labour cannot force an early referendum on its own. International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, one of Gordon Brown's closest allies and Ms Alexander's brother, told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme he does not believe now is the right time for a vote.
“The SNP can never again claim that a Unionist cabal is denying Scotland a voice," she claimed. "I'm not convinced that now is the time for a referendum," he said.
"But I recognise, as Gordon Brown said in an interview this morning, that those of us who believe profoundly in the United Kingdom have to contemplate what steps are necessary to secure the UK against those who want to break it up.
"The SNP were elected under a manifesto of having a referendum but they've made very clear in their response to what Wendy's said this week that they have no intention of bringing forward a referendum until they've fermented more grudge and grievance."
Wendy Alexander has now said that as a minority party in the Scottish Parliament, Labour cannot force an early referendum on its own.
'Indefensible actions'
"The SNP can never again claim that a Unionist cabal is denying Scotland a voice," she claimed.
"The SNP party colour is yellow and now we know why."The SNP party colour is yellow and now we know why.
“Alex Salmond's supposed timetable for a referendum in late 2010 merely serves his own narrow political and electoral interests, rather than the interests of the Scottish people.” "Alex Salmond's supposed timetable for a referendum in late 2010 merely serves his own narrow political and electoral interests, rather than the interests of the Scottish people."
Mr Salmond ridiculed Ms Alexander's "complete and utter humiliation" and said Mr Brown had demonstrated "a supreme inability to either control events or even keep up with them".Mr Salmond ridiculed Ms Alexander's "complete and utter humiliation" and said Mr Brown had demonstrated "a supreme inability to either control events or even keep up with them".
Mr Salmond also stressed that Labour had now conceded the principle of a referendum.Mr Salmond also stressed that Labour had now conceded the principle of a referendum.
And Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie observed: "Wendy Alexander tries to defend her indefensible actions of the last seven days by rewriting history, stretching credibility and taking the public for fools."And Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie observed: "Wendy Alexander tries to defend her indefensible actions of the last seven days by rewriting history, stretching credibility and taking the public for fools."