SCOTLAND has the opportunity to lead the European Union (EU) referendum debate over the final week of campaigning, according to former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.
The Liberal Democrat MP will appear alongside Scottish party leader Willie Rennie and Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale at a pro-EU rally in Edinburgh today.
Mr Clegg said Scottish votes could make “a crucial difference” to the outcome of the June 23 referendum as he urged Remain voters to make their voices heard.
His intervention comes as a new poll showed that while Remain is still ahead in Scotland, support for staying in the EU appears to have dipped north of the border as the ballot draws nearer.
Scottish Vote Leave campaigners will be holding their own rally in Glasgow on Thursday in an effort to bolster support.
Labour MP and campaign chair of Vote Leave Gisela Stuart is due to speak at the event.
Commenting ahead of the Edinburgh event hosted by the European Movement in Scotland, Mr Clegg said: “This referendum is too important to be reduced to a squabble between a handful of Conservatives who went to school together.
“The outcome will make a huge difference to the lives of millions of people across Scotland and the United Kingdom, and especially to young people who will have to live with the consequences for decades to come.”
He added: “Scotland has a proud internationalist tradition. Just as I believe that the UK should be a leader in the EU, I think Scotland has an opportunity to lead the referendum debate within the UK over the final week of the campaign.
“This is a UK-wide referendum and a Remain vote in Edinburgh or Glasgow is worth every bit as much as vote in Hampshire or in my constituency in Sheffield.
“This is shaping up to be a knife-edge result and Scotland can make the difference.
“I urge every Scot who wants us to lead in the EU to make the case for Europe over the next seven days and get out and vote next week.”
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