It’s official: Scotland chooses to say ‘No’ to independence

The United Kingdom lives on: Scotland’s historic independence referendum has seen the preservation of the 307-year old union between England and Scotland. With votes counted in 31 of 32 districts, results showed an unassailable lead for the ‘No’ camp, which garnered just over 1.9 million votes. The ‘Yes’ camp gained 1.54 million votes. This means that approximately 55 per cent of voters rejected independence, while 46 per cent favoured it.

We have touched sections of the community who have never been touched before by politics. These communities have touched us… I don’t think that will ever be allowed to go back to business as usual in politics again.”

Scottish National Party leader Alec Salmond

In his concession speech, Scottish independence leader Alex Salmond said: “I think the process by which we have made our decision as a nation reflects enormous credit upon Scotland. A turnout of 86 per cent is one of the highest of the democratic world, in any election or any referendum in history.” Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the result paved the way for a new balanced constitutional settlement for all of Britain, including England, and that draft laws granting Scotland new powers would be published by January. “Just as Scotland will vote separately in the Scottish parliament on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland should be able to vote on these issues,” said Cameron.

The debate has been settled for a generation … there can be no disputes, no re-runs, we have heard the settled will of the Scottish people.

British Prime Minister David Cameron

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