Business leaders need to speak out against Scottish independence Alistair Darling, who is leading the Better Together campaign, is understood to be increasingly frustrated by this state of affairs. It is ironic that, with so much at stake for British business, it has fallen to voices from outside the UK, who don't have a dog in the fight, to express their dismay about the possible consequences of a "Yes" vote in September. Among the most nervous companies are major oil producers and banks. Raising taxes on North Sea oil is Edinburgh's main hope for economic survival if Scottish voters sign up for separation and even that, as the head of Opec told The Telegraph last October, is tenuous because of depleted reserves of crude. Instead of standing on the sidelines and taking it for granted that politicians will win the argument, business leaders need to start deconstructing the flimsy economic case for independence made in last autumn's White Paper. Disturbingly, many business leaders seem unwilling to do so. Whether that's down to misplaced confidence a "No" vote will prevail without their intervention, or because they fear the impact on their business if they put their heads above the parapet, is debatable. But they should not take it for granted that business organisations, such as the CBI, will make the case for them. Voting day is nine months away. Time is running out for the voice of business to be heard in the debate.