'Braveheart' Scots Will Vote No to Independence, Says Shadow Foreign Secretary

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander has been accused of "second guessing" which way his constituents will vote in the Scottish referendum following recent comments.

Alexander, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, said that people born in the hometown of 'Braveheart' Scot hero William Wallace have "brave hearts but wise heads", and will vote No to independence in September.

Alexander's comments come after canvassing by the Better Together campaign in the area, which has set up shop in Paisley, just yards from the 12th century abbey where Wallace is said to have been educated.

He said: "My canvassing on the doors of Elderslie suggests that they don't just have brave hearts, but wise heads, and see the benefits of being part of the UK."

But the campaign in favour of independence, Yes Scotland, has hit back at Alexander's claims, accusing the Labour politician of "romanticising" the issue.

A spokesperson for Yes Scotland told IBTimes UK: "It would be unwise for Mr Alexander to second- guess how people in Paisley and Elderslie will vote in September.

"The No campaign clearly wish to romanticise by recalling Hollywood films rather than facing the reality that food banks now exist in almost every town in Scotland. More and more voters are seeking a fairer and more equal country and only a Yes vote offers a real opportunity to make that happen."

Paisley recently unveiled major regeneration plans in the hope of securing the title of UK City of Culture in 2021.

This ambition would end if Scotland leaves the UK, Alexander noted: "I would be delighted to see Paisley, in particular, bid for the UK City of Culture, but also Scotland benefit from the other opportunities that come from being part of the larger UK."

The referendum on whether Scotland should be an independent country will take place on 18 September 2014.