Wirral councillors have temporarily set aside political allegiances and joined forces to support the Better Together campaign to  fly the Saltire from the flagstaff at Wallasey Town Hall.

Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups will raise the blue and white flag of Scotland ahead of the September 18 referendum, when voters north of the border will decide if they support the idea of an independent Scotland.

Wirral's sole Green representative said the move demonstrated the panic felt by "out of touch" politicians.

Councillor Phil Davies, leader of  the council and Labour group, said: “As a proud Northerner, married to a Scot, with a son living and working in Edinburgh, I understand now more than ever the importance of our union.

"Regardless of our political views, we all need to support greater powers for Scotland as an integral part of the United Kingdom. We’re raising the Saltire to give our backing to the Better Together campaign, and to Scottish voters as they prepare for this historic referendum.”

Councillor Lesley Rennie, deputy Tory group leader, said: “The Scots are a proud nation as we the English are, but we are all part of a United Kingdom and long may that be the case.

"It would be foolhardy for Scots to leap into the unknown and gamble the future for generations to come with so much uncertainty in relation to finance, pensions, health, security and defence.”

Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Phil Gilchrist said: “It is a momentous decision the people face.

"The result will be binding, set in stone. The stakes are high and the uncertainties are great. With goodwill and trust on each side a split could be avoided.”

But Wirral's Green Party, represented in the local authority by Birkenhead and Tranmere Cllr Pat Cleary, supports the "Yes" campaign for Scottish Independence. 

Councillor Cleary said:  "The leaders of Wirral’s political establishment will be at Wallasey Town Hall today raising the Saltire to show their support for the No campaign in next week’s referendum.

"This is great news for Scottish Independence.

"The more our political elite panics, the more clearly Scots can see what an opportunity independence offers. 

"It shows how out of touch that elite is if they really think raising a Scottish flag in Wirral will persuade anyone to vote No.

"So well done to Cllrs Davies, Green and Gilchrist. Their collusion in the growing panic surrounding the No campaign will simply add fuel to the fire of independence."

David Cameron announced on Tuesday that the Saltire will fly above Downing Street in a show of support for the Union in the run-up to the referendum.

The Prime Minister said he wanted other councils across England to follow suit after a poll at the weekend put the yes vote ahead for the first time following a late surge in support for succession.

Mr Cameron's decision to raise the blue and white flag came after Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, called on town halls across the country to appeal for Scotland to stay in the Union.