Pro-Independence Side Ahead in Scottish Poll

Is the UK on the road to Splitsville? Scotland votes on independence on Sept. 18, and one poll has put the pro-independence "Yes" camp in the lead with 51% for the first time, the BBC reports. The "No" side was 22 points ahead less than a month ago, and Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond accused British leaders of panicking as they unveiled proposals to give the Scottish parliament more powers if voters reject independence.

Chancellor George Osborne promised that Scotland would be given more powers over things like tax rates and spending, the Guardian reports, but Salmond called the offer a bribe and said there is already a "radical new deal on the constitution—it's called independence." Yes campaigners have accused the No side of stepping up scare tactics in the lead-up to the vote, with Labour Party leader Ed Miliband warning that manned posts might be introduced along the border if Scotland decides to go it alone. "If you don't want borders, vote to stay in the United Kingdom," he told the Daily Mail yesterday. (More Scotland stories.)