On September 18 we will be asked to make the most important political decision of our lives.

We have a choice between remaining part of the UK, the third largest economy in Europe and sixth biggest in the world, or stepping into the unknown of separation.

The decision will be irreversible. There will be no going back.

Being part of the UK gives Scotland the best of both worlds. We have a strong Scottish Parliament, with more powers guaranteed, that controls about 60 per cent of all public spending in Scotland. It has full control over those areas that affect our everyday lives such as schools, hospitals and the police.

We also benefit from a UK Parliament that takes decisions on behalf of everyone on the economy, defence, national security and international affairs.

As part of a larger, more diverse and stable economy, we are better placed to guarantee and pay for pensions and benefits and get young people into work in good times and bad. Public spending in Scotland has been about 10 per cent higher than the UK average since 1998, worth £1,300 per person in 2012/3.

In the case of pensions, people across Scotland are living longer. This is welcome, but it means we will reach a stage where there is a bigger proportion of people of retirement age and fewer people of working age than elsewhere in the UK. By spreading the responsibility across 63 million taxpayers UK-wide rather than 5 million in Scotland, it is easier to support pensioners and those in need.

With only days until the referendum, the Nationalists have failed to provide answers on crucial issues such as currency, defence, the EU and NATO membership. These are major issues affecting everyone’s lives that are too big to be left to chance and vague ‘it’ll be alright’ assertions, which in many cases it is not in Alex Salmond’s gift to deliver.

On currency, Salmond claims he will use the pound even though the three main UK political parties have unequivocally ruled out a currency union. It has been pointed out that if Scotland were to use the pound it would have no control over its interest rates and no lender of last resort for its banks. Crucially, there would be no guarantee or reassurance for those with mortgages savings, pensions and those on benefits.

As for public services, independent experts agree an independent Scotland would have to find up to £6 billion of cuts over and above anything required as part of the UK.

Separation risks harming Scotland’s trade with its main export market, the UK (worth over £45 billion per annum), with businesses having to deal with two sets of rules, regulations and tax systems and thus increased costs. Scotland’s financial services, where many in East Lothian are employed, would face significant extra costs from operating in two markets.

For more than 300 years, we have lived and worked together with our friends and families throughout the UK. We have armed forces and public institutions the envy of the world. Scotland exerts influence at home and abroad through UK membership of key international organisations. What unites us is much greater than what divides us.

We truly have the best of both worlds for Scotland but we can also have what the majority of Scots really want: the present security, stability and benefits of Scotland being a strong partner in a strong UK, with more powers for Scotland through enhanced devolution.

Independence offers only risks, uncertainties and a leap into the unknown. We should therefore stay together and vote ‘NO THANKS’ to independence.