Queen, Brown join to save Union

London -- Queen Elizabeth and Britain's next prime minister are joining forces to bind the union between Scotland and England.

Gordon Brown, who is said to share the queen's fears about independence for Scotland, is to travel to Balmoral, her Highland residence in Scotland, in September -- shortly after he is confirmed as Prime Minister Tony Blair's successor, the Mail on Sunday reported.

"In her five decades on the throne, the queen has been careful to stay above party politics," an unidentified source told the newspaper. "But if there is one thing she cares passionately about, it is the Union."

Brown and the queen are said to be concerned about the emergence of the Nationalists, led by Alex Salmond, as the largest party in the Edinburgh Parliament. The growing strength of the Nationalists raises the prospect of a referendum on independence, which would be a major political headache for Brown, the Mail said.

Salmond has said there would be a role for the British royals if Scotland were to become independent, the Mail reported.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.