Scotland Independence Referendum: David Cameron Jokes 'Assassination is Welcome' Over 'Yes' Vote

David Cameron is clearly feeling the pressure of the Scottish Independence referendum.

Speaking at a Downing Street party, the Prime Minister joked that being assassinated might be preferable to facing the inevitable aftermath if Scottish voters choose to go independent.

"After the events I have been facing over the past few days, assassination would be a welcome release," he was heard saying.

His comments weren't entirely out of context, since the PM was attending a launch event for a new political thriller called "Head of State" by Andrew Marr about the assassination of a prime minister.

However, if Scottish voters decide to quit the UK, it will be regarded as a huge failure for Mr Cameron, making him the first PM to lose a portion of the country while in office since David Lloyd George lost Ireland in 1921.

The PM said he had no intention of resigning in the event of a 'Yes' vote tomorrow.

"My name is not on the ballot paper," he said. "What's on the ballot paper is 'does Scotland want to stay in the United Kingdom, or does Scotland want to separate itself from the United Kingdom?'

"That's the only question that will be decided on Thursday night. The question about my future will be decided at the British general election coming soon."

In a speech on Monday Mr Cameron acknowledged his and the Conservative party's unpopularity in Scotland.

"If you don't like me – I won't be here forever. If you don't like this Government – it won't last forever. But if you leave the UK – that will be forever."

He also admitted to being nervous about the final outcome.

"Well of course everyone who cares about our United Kingdom - and I care passionately about our United Kingdom - is nervous. But I'm confident that we've set out how Scotland can have the best of both worlds - a successful economy with a growing number of jobs ... combined with the ability of Scots if they vote No to have even more powers and even more say over how to run their own affairs in Scotland."

As the battle over independence rages ahead of tomorrow's vote, polls suggest that the referendum contest will be a close call, with three separate surveys all putting support for No narrowly ahead on 52 per cent, and 48 per cent for Yes.