PM In Scotland: 'Pull UK Together Not Apart'

The United Kingdom should be "pulling together, not pulling apart", the Prime Minister has insisted.

Addressing the Scottish Conservatives party conference in Stirling, David Cameron cited the UK's success at last summer's Olympics and the efforts of British soldiers in World War II as he called on people in Scotland to remain part of a "prosperous, compassionate Britain".

With Scotland voting on whether or not to remain in the UK in the independence referendum next year, Mr Cameron used his speech at the gathering to make the case for the Union.

The UK's history "has always been one of shared endeavour", with different countries "proud in our individual identities but working together for a common good", Mr Cameron said.

"We saw it when our soldiers fought together under one flag on the beaches of Normandy. We saw it when our doctors came together to build our NHS. We saw it in the scientific breakthroughs that we made together: from the television to penicillin. And we saw it last summer as athletes from around Britain, no matter where they were from, draped themselves in one flag."

But there is "still so much more to come", he said, asking: "Why wouldn't we want to face the future together?

"There is simply no challenge we face today where breaking up Britain is the right answer.

"The future I see for Scotland is part of a dynamic, enterprising, prosperous, compassionate Britain; a Britain that isn't just competing in the global race but winning in the world; a country where we are pulling together, not pulling apart."

He added: "Together we're unbeatable. United we're unstoppable. The case is unquestionable. Head, heart, body and soul, we will fight for our United Kingdom every step of the way."

Alex Salmond's Scottish National Party administration at Holyrood is meanwhile making its case for the country to become independent.

The First Minister made a fresh call for the Prime Minister to take part in a TV debate with him before the independence referendum on September 18 next year.

"Given that David Cameron's Government at Westminster is clearly leading the No campaign, he should be prepared to engage in a referendum debate with me about Scotland's future," the Scottish First Minister said.

"The Prime Minister is the most senior elected politician arguing for a No vote. If he wants to be part of the debate, he has an obligation to take part in a debate so that the people of Scotland can judge our respective cases.

"I am confident that the people of Scotland will choose Yes. It is time for David Cameron to step up to the plate."

The SNP leader also called on Mr Cameron to apologise for the "scaremongering" by those opposed to independence.

This "negative approach" came from "the top of the UK Government down, and permeates the entire No campaign," the First Minister said.