BREAKING up the UK would risk Scotland's place in a new world order, Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, said last night.
The MP for Edinburgh South West told an audience at Stirling University that Scotland and England are better off together in facing the challenges from a fast-changing global economy.
Since the SNP won the Scottish Parliament elections in May, Ho
lyrood and Westminster have clashed a number of times over the future of Scotland.
The SNP-led minority Scottish Government wants independence for Scotland, however opposition parties - including Labour - are in favour of the Union.
Giving the Andrew Willi-amson lecture at Stirling University last night, Mr Darling said the Union was key to survival in the global economy.
He said: "I believe Scotland faces a stark choice today. Is Scotland's priority constitutional change, or the urgent task of addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by globalisation as we try to secure a sustainable, prosperous future for Scotland and Britain?"
Mr Darling argued that the interconnected nature of economics means Scotland is stronger as part of the UK - despite the fact he came in for criticism again yesterday for his handling of the economy.
"I believe it would be a profound mistake to spend the next four years in constitutional conflict north and south of the Border, when we need to meet the economic challenges we face," he said.
"Go to India and China - these economies are growing every year.
"There are some who argue that Scotland's biggest challenge is constitutional - our relationship with England. They are wrong.
"I believe Scotland and England are far better off together than apart - especially when, all over the world, new opportunities are arising which we can seize if we have the will to."
In the first keynote speech on the independence issue Mr Darling has made since becoming Chancellor, he said Scotland must move on from the debate over the constitution.
He added: "I believe the people I represent in south-west Edinburgh want to see us, whether in Westminster or Holyrood, together in co-operation, preparing and equipping Scotland for the changes it faces.
"The rest of the world is doing just that. So must we by meeting the challenges and seeking the opportunities that come from globalisation. We've got a choice: four years of constitutional wrangling, blaming someone else; or making sure we act now and seize the opportunities for Scotland's future."
The Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats are currently working together to find ways to strengthen devolution within the Union.
Stewart Hosie, the SNP's treasury spokesman at Westminster, said:
"Alistair Darling's assertion that Scotland is better off as part of the Union flies in the face of the facts.
"Research published by the Scottish Government shows that, with our fair share of North Sea resources, Scotland would be the third-wealthiest nation in the European Union."
The full article contains 483 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
