Scotland's independence; any thoughts, chaps ?

[Tako_Kichi]

The voting is over and I thought this find might keep us amused while we await the outcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDm4S5C ... C08BB8553B

[nigelb]

Thanks for that link, Larry. A concise history of Scotland in under three minutes!

Got BBC World News on right now and it sounds like some early returns indicate that "NO" is leading, but far to soon to call the result. I should be impartial but I am not. Keep the kingdom United! I think a lot of people voting "yes" have not thought through all the future consequences of their vote. For a start, I bet their taxes would go up, to replace all the services that are now provided by the UK.

Nigel²

Edit .......... As of 5:14 BST, (a little early for most of you) the BBC is predicting that Scotland will vote "No" to Independence. God Save The Queen!

[Paul K]

I'm up early to catch the train into London, and it looks like I'll still be heading towards the U.K.'s capital. I'm relieved for those of us here who live in Scotland and who expressed the strong desire to keep the union. At the same time, I feel for those who wanted independence and whose one great chance for it has passed. It must be a very bitter disappointment. I still don't know how I would have voted - I think my perspective would have been different had I been a resident up there. Anyway, Westminster now has to deliver on its promises of more devolution, and you can bet there'll be some umming and ahing now the last minute panic is over.

[Vancouver]

Hurrah for sanity.

[Tomliner]

It's over!!!! We are so relieved.The UK remains intact but having just listened to the PM's speech from Downing Street,the outcome of this referendum is going to bring a seismic shift not just affecting Scotland but also the other countries in the union particularly England.
Thank goodness that an unaltered Union Flag can still fly everywhere,especially alongside the Scottish Saltire up here. The people have spoken. EricT

[Garry Russell]

Great news ...crazy thing is that Cameron has said it's time to listen to the British people...says it as if he is being a nice guy but he is the one who has NOT been taking any notice of what the majority were saying all through his premiership and as far back as anyone can remember.

Scotland will remain a part of the UK... but this is still a revolution in a sense. It will be a different UK from now on, it can't just carry on as before. It will take time, but now is the time to really look at the entire political atitude, not just London and what suit them, but the UK...all of it.

The prospect of independence was a fate worse that the current regime, but common sense and good judgement won the day. Tempting to make the change for many historic reasons but the Scots showed themselves more than capable to view the whole picture, never an easy thing to do with many emotions clouding the issue.

Thank you Scotland for having the guts to stand up and be counted when it mattered most...for all the UK.

[JohnWillimas]

Here's the real reason for the No majority..... http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/inte ... 4091890806

[ajb]

I'm delighted and relieved by the result. I had expected the area I live in (Western Isles) to vote with a massive majority for independence. It didn't, nor did nearly all of the other areas.

I do however believe that Salmond actually won. For a long time senior politicians in Westminster have believed that his real aim was to gain significant national powers for Scotland (devo max [ughh!]) not to have to go through the agony of presiding over one of the biggest divorces in history. And that's without the vexed currency issue. Now he'll get maximum powers for Scotland whilst retaining the UK safety net. That has been my belief right the way through and I also believe that the same tactics are being played by Cameron over the EU and the (maybe, possibly, probably not) IN/OUT referendum due to occur in the next Conservative administration.

Interestingly though Salmond has stirred up England and Wales. And perhaps at last we'll get rid of the problem of the West Lothian Question! Interesting times lay ahead.

Andy

[Garry Russell]

Exactly Andy hence my comment it being a revolution of sorts...a wake up call.

[J0hn]

Sorry, I'm not convinced.

I watched his speech live and remember thinking "blah blah blah the usual politician bull to appease the many for the benefit of the few".