A Scottish newspaper has scored a world first in ‘uniting’ the two warring factions in a battle to decide the future of the United Kingdom.

The Daily Record has offered the two frontmen on opposing sides of Scotland’s independence debate the chance to speak to Britain through its pages.

The Glasgow-based daily is giving its readers the chance to draw their own conclusions on the most important political decision in the country’s history.

The Record’s unique editorial platform will see both the ‘Better Together’ and ‘Yes Scotland’ campaigns in a ground-breaking initiative which has never been done before by a tabloid newspaper.

The campaign leaders – former UK chancellor Alistair Darling, left, and Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, right – will guest edit the paper over the next two days.

First up today is Mr Darling who will try to explain why he believes Scottish voters should say ‘No’ to independence in the 18 September vote.

Tomorrow Mr Salmond will make his passionate plea to readers as he bids to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK.

The Record told its readers in a leader article “The paper considers it is in the best interests of Scottish democracy to give both leaders an opportunity to try and convince voters either way ahead of the independence referendum on 18 September.

“As the country moves into the final stages of campaigning, we hope this bold move by the Record will help our readers decide which way they wish to vote.”

Both parties were given a noon deadline yesterday (Weds) to provide their stories and pictures for the campaign columns. They won’t be able to amend them or see sight of their rivals’ copy until the paper is printed.

First blood . . . Daily Record editor Murray Foote tosses a coin for Referendum campaign leaders Blair Jenkins, left, and Blair McDougal with Blair Jenkins calling correctly

Alex Salmond has already drawn ‘first blood’ in the newspaper debate. A representative from each side – Better Together’s campaign director Blair McDougall and Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins – went to Record HQ for a coin toss to decide whose message would be published first.

The coin was flipped by Daily Record editor Murray Foote and Blair Jenkins called “heads” correctly. He elected to take Friday as Yes Scotland’s day so Better Together are first up today.