Lose The Pound If You Exit UK

Britain's main political parties will tell Scotland in coordinated statements in coming days it cannot keep the pound if it votes for independence, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Scottish nationalists accused British politicians of bluffing and said they knew well any bid to withdraw the pound from Scotland would damage English business. They said it would mean Scotland would not shoulder any share of British debt.

The drive by the three main parties, the boldest attempt yet by the British political establishment to scuttle Scottish nationalists' independence bid, reflects a growing sense that the issue of what currency a breakaway Scotland would use could be decisive in swaying undecided voters.

Scots are due to vote on whether their oil-rich country of 5 million becomes independent on September 18, with polls showing just over one third favor independence. More assertive noises from London may move some toying with the idea of independence to caution but could also inflame some national feeling