FOUR Scots in York hope to spearhead a national campaign to give their expat countrymen and women a vote in next year’s Scottish independence referendum.

A cross-party group of City of York councillors born in Scotland has teamed up to argue that Scots living outside Scotland should have a chance to take part in the historic vote.

Labour’s Sandy Fraser and Linsay Cunningham-Cross have joined forces with Conservatives Ian Gillies and Joe Watt.

Coun Fraser said there were different views among the four in the debate over Scottish independence but said they all agreed that the electorate should be widened.

He cited the example of US citizens who can vote in presidential elections even if they live overseas and said some states had similar laws.

He said: “This is initially being set up for Scots in York but it should apply for Scots elsewhere in the UK, and there is an argument it should be expanded for Scots wherever they are.”