The prospect of Scotland having equal weight in the referendum than the more populous capital provoked warnings that the final outcome could be called into question in the event of a close result. Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative chairman of the public administration committee, said the calculations showed that ministers were wrong to hold the referendum on the same day as local and devolved elections. He added: “How many Scots would bother to vote Yes if they were not already voting in another election? How many Londoners will not bother to vote No because there are no other elections being held there?’’