THE Scottish-born leader of St Helens Council is backing the no vote campaign as his home nation holds a referendum today over independence.

Cllr Barrie Grunewald, originally from a small town called Lochgilphead, on the west coast of Argyll, near the Mull of Kintyre and Oban, fears there are “huge risks” abandoning the benefits that come from membership of the UK.

The Labour politician, who has lived in St Helens for seven years after settling in the North West 13 years ago, has travelled to witness the historic vote.

He says for him, like for many, it is “a case of head versus heart”.

He told the Star: “For the sake of us all I hope the head wins as the implications of Scotland voting to separate will be a catastrophe for Scotland, England and Wales.

“I always believed there would be a ‘no’ vote and that the 300-year-old union would remain intact. However, I now think it will be close and that in the coming days everything is to play for and every vote really will count.

“I love Scotland and I am proud to be Scottish, but I am also proud to be part of something bigger, and I resent being forced to choose between two identities.

“We face a stark choice. We can have more powers for Scotland over tax and welfare guaranteed, backed up by the strength, security and stability of being part of the UK.

“Or the Scottish people can take a leap into the unknown with all the risks and uncertainties of separation. I believe that Scottish people must vote with their heads and reject the nasty nationalism which has become apparent during the campaign.

“I worry that at the end of this there will be a divided Scotland.”

He added that until tomorrow St Helens town hall is flying the Saltire as a symbol to Scotland that we want it to remain in the UK. “A flag is not going to have a dramatic effect on the outcome, but it’s a symbolic gesture which shows the Scottish that we in England care.”