As this issue went to press the leaders of the UK's main three political parties were racing northwards in a last-ditch attempt to persuade voters in Scotland to say 'no'. But while their visit underlines the concerns that many in the UK have over the economic implications of Scottish independence, one can't help feeling that the 'no' campaign might have been better served by the prime minister - who isn't going to win any popularity contests north of the border - keeping his head down. By the time you read this the UK's fate might well have been decided but, whatever the result, the points raised in this issue's Talking Point (page 26), which looks at what independence might mean for UK industry, make for sobering reading. As we report, the energy and defence sectors are particularly concerned about the potential impact on businesses that frequently straddle the England/Scotland border. The defence sector is also the subject of this issue's cover story (p28), which looks at the virtual and augmented reality technology that's helping to give UK troops the edge in an increasingly unpredictable world.
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