'THIS is is my last column before Scotland votes next month on whether to separate from the rest of the UK and I make no apology for once again urging Central Fife Times readers, their families and friends to make it a resounding ‘No’ at the ballot box.

I have been firmly of the view right from the start of the Referendum debate that we really are ‘better together’ and nothing I have heard from those pushing the independence line has even come close to changing my mind.

Indeed, the case for remaining together is overwhelming.

Within the UK ‘family’ of nations, we pool and share resources, and share risks – just think back to the banking crisis in 2008 when the UK was able to support Scottish banks with funding that was twice Scotland’s income.

Within the UK, we are not over-reliant on fluctuating oil prices.

We receive £1400 per head more than England, public spending in Scotland is considerably higher than in the UK and state pensions are more secure because costs are shared by 30-million plus taxpayers across the UK.

We have free trade across the UK (the destination of 70% of our exports) and have open access to EU markets. Within the UK Scotland’s economy is growing.

Staying within the UK guarantees us a strong defence, security and intelligence system.

It safeguards thousands of Scottish jobs, particularly in shipbuilding, and as we are already members of the EU and NATO, we do not have to apply to rejoin, with all the uncertainty that involves.

And of course, staying within the UK gives the financial stability for Scotland that we all seek, with a strong and stable currency and a very important financial sector.

However, if Scotland walks away from the UK, it walks away from the UK pound – there will be no common currency agreement, as has been confirmed by Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems.

So what is Alex Salmond’s plan B? What will be the new currency? No-one in the SNP seems to know – or if they do, they aren’t telling us!

Such information, and hard facts about a whole range of other important issues, should have been forthcoming last November when the White Paper ‘Scotland’s Future’ was published.

Instead, we got a heavyweight document full of lightweight information which not only failed to address the concerns of Scots, but incredibly failed to give any detailed costings – a wish list without a price list.

Why did the finance secretary cease work on the costs of separation in 2012 and why are we not being told what the bill will be for setting up a separate state before we vote?

The cost will be huge – for example, expert evidence indicates it could cost over £400 million just to set up new IT systems for tax and welfare, and they would take years to develop.

People should not be expected to cast the most important vote of their lives without being given such fundamental facts. It’s a bit like committing to buy a new house or car without knowing how much it costs – I wouldn’t do that and who would?

I am a proud Scot and, as an equally proud parent and grandparent, I want the best for this and future generations.

This is only achievable as a partner within a stable, secure and strong union with the rest of the UK – it has served us well for hundreds of years and I can only see a big increase in uncertainty and risk ahead if we throw that all away.

For all the above reasons, I will be voting ‘No’ on September 18 and I urge you to do the same.'