Tory leader David Cameron brought his message to Scotland yesterday that he would ensure English nationalism would not be a threat to the UK on his watch.

Tory leader David Cameron brought his message to Scotland yesterday that he would ensure English nationalism would not be a threat to the UK on his watch.

He visited the Holyrood parliament and key financial institutions, and in between made a speech to his party faithful that sought to strike a balance between what he had to say and what they wanted to hear.

His attack on the the "ugly stain of nationalism seeping through the Union flag" went down well with that support. His criticism of ranks of English conservatism who threatened the Union from across the border was received with respect.

But his broad message to Scotland seemed to be undermined by the decade-old Labour language in which it was couched. Even sympathisers expected the Cameron project to involve fresh ideas, or at the very least fresh language.

When Mr Cameron finished his speech with the following phrase there was genuine surprise among observers: "Stronger together: weaker apart."

This has been a mantra used for so long by the Labour Party that it seemed extraordinary that the Tory leader would use it it in identical terms.

Born out of the "Divorce is an expensive business" Labour campaign from 1999 it has tripped off the tongue of a succession of press officers ever since.

The Tory leader is at such pains to come across as a modern alternative to both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown that the use of the phrase seemed shocking.

In fact, he used the mantra "together we are stronger" several times during his speech. He was fully entitled to make that point but the crudity and similarity of the language may prove counter-productive.

The SNP team around Alex Salmond could hardly believe their luck.

In the Scottish Parliament the Tories had already sided with Wendy Alexander in backing a new constitutional body which was essentially a block on the Nationalists' plans for even greater powers.

Around the country the rule about possible SNP coalitions with local Conservatives had just been lifted, once again re-opening the possibility of Labour attacking the "Tartan Tories" in the old way. Then along came David Cameron using identical political sloganising to that of Gordon Brown.

Triangulation is an ugly political term for something most will be familiar with - edging your policies every closer to that of your opponent so that the voter can scarcely tell the difference.

It has happened within Scotland over issues such as policing, sentencing and much of the economy.

But Conservatives using identical slogans to Labour delights Alex Salmond's aides. The danger now for the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition is that they choose to agree completely on the constitutional question and give Alex Salmond the unified "London" enemy he seeks.

Scottish voters have punished the Conservatives in the past for perceived hostility on issues such as the poll tax, as Mr Cameron conceded yesterday.

But when Labour and the Tories decide to put on identical clothing - whether that be the language of Westminster leaders or deals struck at Holyrood - the danger for them became that they gave Alex Salmond a single focus of attack.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said last night: "The Tories are facing both ways on Scotland. Just last week, the Tories north of the border signed up to a commission to boost the financial powers of the parliament which would make us wealthier - whereas the Tory drive at Westminster is about appealing to a south of England agenda and cutting Scottish spending."

Parallel lines
Gordon Brown, September 2006
"I have experienced a new the rich diversity of the UK which makes this country strong. People intensely proud of their community, their region, their nation.

"But also a common bond that our proud nations and regions are stronger together in the UK. Proud of the greater nation we have built together over the last 300 years. The UK is the greatest example in the world of the saying we are stronger together and weaker apart."

David Cameron, December 2007
"Being British is one of the most successful examples of inclusive civic nationalism in the world. We are a shining example of what a multi-ethnic, multi-faith and multi-national society can and should be. Let us search for practical and reasonable solutions to our constitutional challenges.

"But let us do so in a spirit of unity and purpose that will see Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland move forward together into the 21st century with confidence and pride. Stronger together, weaker apart."