Dawn: EDINBURGH: Scottish voters have rejected independence, deciding to remain part of the United Kingdom after a historic referendum that shook the country to its core.
The decision prevented a rupture of a 307-year union with England, bringing a huge sigh of relief to the British political establishment.
Scots voted 55 per cent to 45 per cent against independence in a vote that saw an unprecedented turnout.
A majority of voters did not embrace Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond’s impassioned plea to launch a new state, choosing instead the security offered by remaining in the United Kingdom.
Salmond conceded defeat, saying “we know it is a majority for the No campaign” and called on Scots to accept the results of the vote.
He said the voted “has been triumph for the democratic process.“
“If that is the result for the referendum then clearly I am deeply disappointed,” Scottish National Party (SNP) deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon told the broadcaster.
Votes cast for and against Scotland’s independence in a historic referendum were running virtually neck and neck, but leading “No“ campaigners had suggested that victory was in sight.
“No” supporters were confident of victory, however, and experts said it looked like the pro-union camp would clinch it.
“The evidence that the ‘No’ side are going to win is beginning to stack up,” polling expert John Curtice from Strathclyde University had told the BBC.
“But equally however we also are beginning to look at a ‘No’ success that is nothing like as substantial as they probably expected,” he said.
Categories: Democracy, Europe and Australia, UK
What a relief it must be for the British in the United Kingdom. If the vote would have been yes what would have become of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland? May be the Dis-United Kingdom of Small Britain and Northern Ireland?