Referendum Campaign Resumes

(l-r)Salmond, Dewar, Connery & Wallace: together to promote a Yes-Yes vote

This evening the Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Jim Wallace, SNP leader Alex Salmond and Sean Connery will share a platform at a pro-devolution rally in Edinburgh.

Earlier today Mr Connery joined the Chancellor Gordon Brown to announce a new inward investment deal. Gordon Brown described the decision of American underwater communications firm Oceaneering Multiflex, to set up their European headquarters at the old Ministry of Defence site at the Rosyth Naval Dockyards as, "an undoubted vote of confidence in the future of Scotland's economy."

The mood among the Yes campaigners was upbeat despite discouraging poll results published in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper this morning. The ICM poll suggests that support for the tax-varying powers is less than solid. The poll put support for the tax powers at 45%, outright opposition at 38%, while 17% of respondents remain undecided. Support for the principle of a Scottish Parliament is stronger, with 60% in favour, 25% against and 15% undecided.

Also in the Scotland on Sunday a poll of businesses found that 76% of the 1,057 companies which took part believed that a Scottish Parliament with tax-varying powers would harm the climate for business in Scotland.

An NOP poll in the Sunday Times was slightly more encouraging for the pro-devolutionists. It showed 51% in favour of tax powers, 34% against, and 15% undecided. Support for a Parliament was put at 63%, with 21% opposed, and 16% undecided.

Both Tony Blair and Conservative leader Willaim Hague will be in Scotland to boost their parties' campaigns, this week. Mr Blair has been at Balmoral vistiting the Queen today, but will out on the camapign trail tommorrow.