UK PM faces party revolt over Scot vote

Britain’s Prime Minster David Cameron is in trouble with his own Conservative Party, with Tory MPs calling for a vote of no confidence for allowing the Scottish independence referendum to take place.

Senior Conservative lawmakers told the British daily The Telegraph on Tuesday that Cameron may face an immediate vote of no-confidence if Scotland votes next week to break away from the union.

Some Tory MPs believe Cameron is risking the future of the union by agreeing to the independence vote.

According to the British newspaper, the situation for Cameron is so serious that senior Tory lawmakers are openly discussing the future of the party without him as leader.

In addition, a growing number of lawmakers are now pressuring Cameron to urge Queen Elizabeth II to speak out in support of the union.

The developments come as YouGov poll published on September 7 put pro-independence supporters in the lead for the first time with 51 percent compared to the 49 percent in favor of remaining in the union.

The poll prompted former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown to announce plans that would give Scotland greater autonomy if Scots voted “no” to independence.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond responded to Brown’s announcement, saying the promises are nothing new and instead show panic among the pro-unionists.

Scotland will hold a national referendum on September 18 to determine the country’s future. The independence referendum could result in Scotland’s breakaway from the United Kingdom after more than 300 years of political union.

CAH/HJL/HRB