David Cameron keen on help from ex-PMs in No vote push

David Cameron has called on all of the former Prime Ministers to join him in a show of strength for the Union.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Sunday Post, the current Prime Minister said he would be “delighted” to share a platform with Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Sir John Major in the final throes of the referendum campaign.

The Prime Minister also raised the prospect of a constitutional convention in the event of a No vote, saying he “sees merit” in the idea, adding there will be a “time for trying to forge consensus”.

Cameron used his speech to the Tory conference in Edinburgh to promise more tax-raising powers for the Scottish Parliament if voters reject independence in September.

The Lib Dems have already backed more devolution and Labour will this week unveil plans to hand more powers to Holyrood and local councils from Westminster.

Asked if the three pro-Union parties should hold a constitutional convention in the event of a No vote, Mr Cameron said: “I see some merit in that.

“I am a great believer that competition stimulates the market in politics as well as in business so I like the idea of people thinking through what should happen next to make the devolved settlement work better.

“That competition is healthy and good, but there is also a time for trying to forge consensus and I certainly would not rule that out and it is good the Conservative Party is playing a constructive role in where to go next for Scotland.”

Asked if he would be willing to share a platform with all of the living Prime Ministers, Mr Cameron said: “Yes, I’d be delighted. I think it is a very good idea and I would be happy to.

“So it won’t not happen on my behalf. I think the Better Together campaign is doing a good job, there are still 180-odd days to go, but people are beginning to see the arguments being laid out.”

It would be a tall order to bring Blair and Brown back together on the same stage, but it is understood Sir John Major is willing to play a more active role in the Better Together campaign.

An insider in the organisation last night said the idea was mouth-watering.

They added: “This is the kind of idea that would drive the nationalists round the twist. People would see the influence that Scots have had at the very top of government in this country.”

The Prime Minister’s visit to Edinburgh for the Tory conference was his second trip in the space of three weeks to Scotland and he said he was planning many more north of the border in the run up to polling day.

He added: “I will continue to be engaged.

“This issue, the campaign, is the most important thing happening this year in the UK without a doubt and it has a lot of my attention.

“I have a number of visits I am going to be making to Scotland, not least for Armed Forces Day, the Commonwealth Games and the start of commemorating the First World War.

“I think bringing the cabinet to Aberdeen was significant.”

Meanwhile, Alex Salmond has marked this week’s six-month countdown to the independence referendum by claiming the crunch poll is not a proxy vote on his popularity.

Yes strategists are worried too many voters associate backing independence with a vote for the SNP leader and are keen to get the message over the referendum transcends the current First Minister.

In the first tacit acknowledgment that he divides public opinion, Mr Salmond said: “This referendum isn’t about politicians it’s not about me or David Cameron. It’s not about the Press and it’s not about the broadcasters or the elites in London or Edinburgh. It’s about the people of Scotland.

“The wider Yes campaign is also undertaking the biggest grassroots effort Scotland has ever seen door to door, street to street and community to community.

“People in Scotland are sick and tired of the Westminster establishment talking Scotland down and telling us we are incapable of running our own country.”

Later this month a new pro-independence campaign for young people will get under way.

Generation Yes will be a grassroots youth movement targeting undecided young voters through social and campaign events.