Nearly a million jobs in Scotland are linked to its membership of the UK, Gordon Brown has warned.
The former prime minister said around 40% of posts north of the border were directly or indirectly connected to the union.
The intervention comes as Mr Brown steps up his involvement in the referendum battle. He risked angering No campaign colleagues yesterday by arguing that David Cameron should agree to a debate with Alex Salmond before the crunch vote in September.
In a speech at the London School of Economics (LSE), Mr Brown said 962,000 jobs in Scotland were connected to the UK.
They include 313,000 in companies controlled from other parts of the union, and 247,000 in firms that export to the UK, according to research carried out by Professor Brian Ashcroft at Strathclyde University.
"This means that today about 40% of Scottish jobs have a direct or indirect link to the rest of the UK," Mr Brown said.
"Truly standing up for Scotland is not about attention-seeking Saltire-waving gestures at Wimbledon but doggedly fighting for every single job for Scottish young people.
"And when we are looking at how we ensure employment opportunities for the next generation of Scots, retaining the near-million jobs linked to our membership of the UK should rank near the top of the list of economic priorities for a Scottish administration."
Mr Brown said the referendum was a choice between "two visions of Scotland's future"
"The patriotic vision that seeks a strong Scottish Parliament as part of the UK versus the nationalist vision that would break all political links with the rest of Britain," he went on.
"The patriotic reasons for voting for Scotland to stay in the Union include five positive benefits: UK-linked jobs, UK-guaranteed pensions, UK-funded healthcare free at the point of need; UK-interest rate decisions, which Scots should be directly involved in making; and the UK-wide links with relatives and neighbours in the rest of the UK.
"An honest patriotism starts from our love of Scotland and our support for a strong Scottish Parliament that addresses rather than ignores basic realities, puts the needs of Scottish people before the dogma of independence and seeks to carve out the best future opportunities for young Scots."
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP Mr Brown added: "When we are looking at how we ensure jobs for Scottish young people it makes no sense to put at risk our membership of the UK or break the links on which thousands of jobs depend.
"Instead nationalists should welcome the links with the rest of the UK that bring jobs in the same way nationalists welcome the links with the US."
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