Scottish independence is “a one way ticket to uncertainty” says CBI chief Sir Mike Rake
In a fresh blow for Yes Scotland, the president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has told an audience of business leaders that a vote for independence would be "a one way ticket to uncertainty with no return".
Speaking at the CBI Scotland Annual Dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Sir Mike Rake emphasised that the decision on 18 September would be one for the people of Scotland, but the risk of yes vote would be enormous and that the UK is and always has been greater than the sum of its parts.
Sir Mike said the real question was not whether Scotland could survive but whether it would prosper. He went onto to cite the dilemma Scotland may face over the future of its currency.
“Currency union is an example. The liability, exposure and lack of control such a union would levy on the UK taxpayer makes it an obvious non-negotiable position for the UK Government. It’s why we wanted to see what the Scottish Government’s alternative plan would be", he said.
The CBI boss argued that the key sectors of the Scottish economy like finance, energy and defence benefitted by being part of an internal market of over 60m consumers.
"We should have no fear of drawing strength from what is achievable as one state. Scotland also benefits from the gifts of our shared institutions: the NHS, the BBC, the Royal Mint, the Armed Forces …200 bodies in all", he added.
An independent Scotland would have to leave and reapply to the EU, which could mean signing up to the euro and the Schengen area. Sir Mike said there were no guarantees that Scotland would secure the "favourable terms established by the UK".
The intervention comes only a day after 130 businesses joined together to sign a letter published in Wednesday's Scotsman, slamming the case for Scottish independence.
Signatories included the CEO of BHP Billiton and the executive vice-president of policy at BG Group Sir John Grant. In total, the businesses companies account for around 50,000 Scottish jobs.
However, the independence supporters hit back today with a letter to the Herald extolling the benefits of Scottish secession.
The letter states: "An independent Scotland will recognise entrepreneurs small and large as the real wealth and job creators of the nation's economic future.
"It will encourage a culture in which innovation, endeavour and enterprise are nurtured. It will place power in the hands of Scotland's people to channel the huge resources of our country in the interests of those who live and work here." 200 firms signed the letter.