The commentators                    11-09-14

...on the Scottish referendum

The break-up of Britain would be a catastrophe of a magnitude which our political class is only now beginning dimly to understand. Glover has little faith in the ability of Messrs Cameron, Miliband and Clegg to save us with their hastily conceived bribes and silly stunts. But the Queen could still rescue us, if only she were allowed to by the timid people surrounding her. What the monarchy might have to lose is as nothing compared to the disaster which this country now faces
- Stephen Glover, Daily Mail
The campaign for a yes vote doesn’t just embrace revivalist conventions of Scotland’s creatives or its left fringes, dreaming of a brave new future, it also harbours some of Scotland’s most ruthless, money-oriented business people. All that matters to the SNP’s core support is winning independence. But for those minded to vote yes, it’s worth looking beyond Pollyanna. In a turbulent transition, who might prevail? The dreamers? Or the men with the money?
-  Carol Craig, The Guardian
Jenni Russell
Cameron's flight to Scotland looked like panic, was described as panic and jeered at by Alex Salmond as panic. Mr Cameron knows how desperate this situation is. He is perfectly aware that if he loses Scotland in this almost careless, unforeseen fashion, that will be all that is engraved on his political tombstone. 

- Jenni Russell, The Times
Alex Salmond’s blithe assurances that Elizabeth can be Queen of Scots and Queen of RUK are deluded. The monarch can only act on the instruction of her elected ministers; what if two sets of ministers in neighbouring but newly foreign countries want her to do different things? This is not some little wrinkle that can be ironed out after Scotland leaves the UK
- Allison Pearson, Daily Telegraph
There won't be a democratic deficit in Scotland in a week's time. Irvine Welsh is right. When you see democracy in all its glory, it is indeed a big, sexy beast. It's what we've fought for. It's what we've fought for on others' behalf. And the Scots know how to use it
- Simon Kelner, The Independent
Peter Oborne
The Queen has reigned marvellously for more than 60 years, and it is most unfair that she has been faced, at the age of 88, with the most important decision of her reign. 
But if everything goes wrong next week, how she will regret not having done more to fight for Great Britain.

- Peter Oborne, Daily Telegraph
We in the rest of the UK must not let this happen without at least pausing to speak out in defence of one of the most successful countries that has ever existed. Britain will not have gone to its grave without a fight
- Dan Snow, Daily Mail
What is happening now in Scotland can be traced back to Thatcher. Her agenda has continued to dominate British politics, via New Labour and the coalition. Scotland broke away psychically a long time ago. And while we keep being told about the family of nations, Scotland has long been an embarrassing relation. It eats too many pies and fried Mars Bars, and snacks on heroin.
- Suzanne Moore, The Guardian
Jane Merrick
When the Queen says next week’s vote is a matter for the people of Scotland, indeed it is. The scenes in Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow et al are reminiscent of Tony Blair’s landslide in 1997 – a popular wave that seems unstoppable. It is of the people, not of politicians – and certainly not of royalty.

- Jane Merrick, The Independent

The leader

The Daily Mirror is no friend of the Conservatives yet we agree with David Cameron that Scotland jumping off a cliff isn't the way to get rid of the "effing Tories". We'll do that at next May's general election - it's Cameron we want to see the back of, not Scotland
- Daily Mirror
Apart from the twelve referendum splashes of the past two days, the subject has made a front-page lead on only five occasions this year:Yes, it's been busy with Iraq, Gaza, Ukraine, the rise of Ukip, sex scandals, the hacking trial, Mr Cameron's holidays, floods and heatwaves. But one would still expect the potential break-up of the UK  - or the liberation of Scotland, depending on your point of view - to be able to put up a better fight against the 30 house price splashes, the 25 on migrants and the 26 on Madeleine McCann. I stopped counting when I got to 60 soap opera and "reality TV" offerings.
- Wake us up before they go-go
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