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In an attempt to win the hearts and minds of Scots before the
Sept. 18 vote, anti-independence group "Let's Stay Together",
which aims to give a voice to the millions of Britons outside
Scotland who don't have the right to vote, released a letter on
Thursday signed by a Who's Who of celebrities.
Opinion polls show most Scots will vote against breaking the
307-year union with England. But they also show that many have
not yet decided how they will vote, injecting an element of
uncertainty into the outcome.
"The decision on whether to leave our shared country is, of
course, absolutely yours alone," the celebrities wrote in the
letter, which was addressed to "Dear Voters of Scotland".
"Nevertheless, that decision will have a huge effect on all of
us in the rest of the United Kingdom. We want to let you know
how very much we value our bonds of citizenship with you, and to
express our hope that you will vote to renew them."
Other big names who signed the appeal included actresses Helena
Bonham-Carter and Judi Dench, show business impresario Simon
Cowell, scientist Stephen Hawking, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber,
singer Cliff Richard and actor Dominic West, star of cult U.S.
series The Wire.
Between them, organizers said the signatories had 18 Olympic
gold medals, 44 Bafta awards, one Nobel prize and two Turner
prizes.
The pro-independence camp has its own celebrity backers
including Sean Connery, actor Brian Cox, and novelist Irvine
Welsh. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has come out against
independence.
(Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Stephen Addison)
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