Highland MP Danny Alexander yesterday predicted a close fought battle in the independence referendum – but remained “very confident” of a No vote.
The Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury argued that an improvement in employment figures in the past quarter showed that Scotland is better placed as part of the UK.
The MP was speaking on a tour of the Highlands, including stops in Kingussie, Grantown, Aviemore, Nairn and Inverness.
He also took a trip to the top of Cairn Gorm on the mountain railway to spread the message.
Mr Alexander said he had been encouraged by the response of voters on the streets and predicted the “quiet majority” would sway the referendum towards a No vote.
He said: “We know that every vote counts in this and the polls suggest it is tight but I am very confident.
“I’ve been encouraged by how passionate people have been in the Highlands about this referendum, especially in the last week of this campaign.”
He added: “I hope and expect that the quiet majority will be heard in the Highlands and across the country and that we will vote No for a stronger Scotland.
“Why take the risk to jobs and pensions of separation, when we can have a stronger Scotland with better, faster, safer change with No?”
Mr Alexander spoke with teenage No voter Matthew Janssens, 17, in Inverness.
Mr Janssens said: “I have always been a No voter since I’ve known I could vote.
“I have been put off by the bullying and the angry tone of the Yes campaign.”
Yes supporter Aidan McCormack also spoke with Mr Alexander at length in Nairn.
He said: “I know my mind and he’s not going to change it.
“There’s no need to be rude though. I’ll quite happily talk to him.”