The Queen ‘purred’
While speaking to the former mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, Cameron is overheard saying that he has never seen someone so happy after he informed the Queen of the Scottish referendum poll results. Recalling that he had called the Queen to say “it’s all right”, he said: “She purred down the line. I’ve never heard someone so happy.”
It should never have been that close. It wasn’t in the end, but there was a time in the middle of the campaign when it felt… I’ve said I want to find these polling companies and I want to sue them for my stomach ulcers because of what they put me through, you know. It was very nervous.
Buckingham Palace declines comment
Orkney: No 67%-33%
0 CommentsOrkney, one of the most Unionist areas of the country, votes No by 10,004 (67%) to 4,883 (33%). Turnout is 84%.
Supporters clash
0 CommentsSupporters of the Yes and No campaigns clash in Glasgow’s George Square, with the pro-union supporters eventually becoming unruly, resulting in 10 arrests by police. A standoff develops around 6 p.m. (1 p.m. EDT) between a crowd waving Union Jacks and ‘No Thanks’ banners, and Yes supporters, who have regularly held rallies in the square in previous days. The No supporters include men, women and children carrying banners associated with Orange Lodges in Glasgow who say they are there to celebrate the ‘saving of the Union.’ However parts of the crowd begin singing sectarian football-style songs and chants. The two groups are initially separated by a police cordon. Pro-union chants:
We love Scotland more than you
Alex Salmond is a w*nker
You let your country down
The Yes campaigners disperse but the No crowd grows to around 500 people and a sudden surge appears to break police control, allowing the crowd to spill onto St. Vincent Street and then up Buchanan Street. Police make around 10 arrests by 8:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. EDT.)
Scene on st Vincent place pic.twitter.com/J38Ua2gAqC
— Chris Green (@ChrisGreenNews) September 19, 2014
‘Scotland Bill promise broken’
Salmond says in his resignation speech that Cameron has broken a campaign promise made by Brown:
I spoke to the Prime Minister today and, although he reiterated his intention to proceed as he has outlined, he would not commit to a second reading vote by March 27 on a Scotland Bill. That was a clear promise laid out by Gordon Brown during the campaign. The Prime Minister says such a vote would be meaningless. I suspect he cannot guarantee the support of his party.
Announces resignation
Salmond announces that he will resign as First Minister and head of the SNP. He will remain in the post until the SNP’s annual conference in Perth on Nov. 13-15 and will then stand down and allow another leader to be elected. He does not endorse a successor. At his official residence in Edinburgh:
It has been the privilege of my life to serve Scotland as First Minister. But as I said often during the referendum campaign this is not about me or the SNP. It is much more important than that. The position is this. We lost the referendum vote but can still carry the political initiative. More importantly Scotland can still emerge as the real winner.
‘Change starts today’
Branson says that despite the No vote for independence, the referendum will create significant change for Scotland:
This referendum has not only been a driver of change for Scotland, but also for the entire political landscape of the UK.
As well as the promise of increased powers for Holyrood, it has strengthened the debate over devolution throughout the UK, including the so-called West Lothian question over whether Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish members of parliament can vote on matters that only affect England:
Radical devolution of powers is the way forward for the UK.
Westminster must deliver:
The Scottish people should be proud of the turnout of this referendum. It was a great example of democracy. Now Parliament must deliver on devolving more powers to Scotland and the rest of the UK.
This referendum was a vote for change, and change begins today http://t.co/i2fr14FYR7 #indyref pic.twitter.com/GRv6ahHHSz
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) September 19, 2014
Standard Life: ‘No plans to move’
Standard Life says that following the referendum result, it will not leave the country:
We have no plans to move any part of our business out of Scotland.
Clydesdale Bank: ‘Strong roots in Scotland’
After threatening to move its head office to England if Scotland chose independence, Clydesdale Bank says it will remain in the country:
Business as usual, with strong roots in Scotland.
RBS: ‘Business as usual’
Royal Bank of Scotland assures the public that it will be remaining in the country:
Following the result, it is business as usual for all our customers across UK and RBS.
Barroso: ‘Good for Europe’
Barroso says the referendum result is a positive for Europe:
This outcome is good for the united, open and stronger Europe that the European Commission stands for.
Miliband: ‘UK is stronger’
Miliband says the union is stronger following the independence referendum:
Our UK is stronger today than it was yesterday.
Farage: ‘English want fair settlement’
UKIP leader Farage criticizes the UK government’s handling of the referendum, as granting more powers to the Scottish Parliament worsens what he says is an advantage over England for Scotland gained via devolution:
The way that Westminster handled this was abysmal from the start. A series of promises were made on behalf of the English. The English are 86% by population of this union, they’ve been left out of all of this [The Barnett formula] for the past 18 years … what most English people want is a fair settlement.
Clegg: UK must deliver
Clegg welcomes the referendum result and says that the onus is on the UK to deliver the devolution promises:
I’m absolutely delighted the Scottish people have taken this momentous decision to safeguard our family of nations for future generations. In a dangerous and uncertain world I have no doubt we are stronger, safer, and more prosperous together than we ever could be apart. But a vote against independence was clearly not a vote against change and we must now deliver on time and in full the radical package of newly devolved powers to Scotland.
Obama: ‘Exercise of democracy’
Obama congratulates Scotland in a statement:
We welcome the result of yesterday’s referendum on Scottish independence and congratulate the people of Scotland for their full and energetic exercise of democracy. Through debate, discussion, and passionate yet peaceful deliberations, they reminded the world of Scotland’s enormous contributions to the UK and the world, and have spoken in favour of keeping Scotland within the United Kingdom.
Cumming: ‘Yes still means something’
Cumming tweets that the Yes campaign ‘still means something,’ and its supporters should now focus on ensuring the UK parliament meets its promises of greater devolution:
https://twitter.com/Alancumming/status/512814429017108481
‘Skinheads’
0 CommentsThe Daily Mirror reports that the pro-union crowd that gathered in George Square, resulting in 10 arrests by police, included skinheads. It does not state where it obtained the information. Several photos show men with shaved heads or short hair apparently mocking Yes campaigners, who had been rallying in the square.
Taiwan opposition: ‘Example for the world’
0 CommentsThe Taiwanese opposition Democratic Progressive Party says the referendum demonstrated ‘democratic values’. The vote is:
…not only an example for the world, but also inspire us to continue building and strengthening our democracy right here in Taiwan.
Returns to U.S.
Morgan fulfills his promise to leave the UK after the referendum is decided for No:
Relax. I'm leaving. #indyref pic.twitter.com/SGHt18pps1
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 19, 2014
West Lothian question
Cameron says that while the three main unionist parties at Westminster has promised the Scottish parliament broader powers, the referendum raises the issue of voter representation in England as well as the other countries of the UK:
We have heard the voice of Scotland and now the millions of voices of England must be heard.
He asks Labour whether it will agree to the introduction of English votes for English MPs – the ‘West Lothian question’ – and says that House of Commons leader William Hague will advance the issue in a special cabinet committee. He says the government would shortly say more about the devolution of further powers to the cities and regions of the UK.
Proposes constitutional convention
Miliband calls for a constitutional convention as a form of semi-representative assembly between MPs, councillors and the public, beginning before the next election, to create dialogue about how power is dispersed in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England. Regions will produce reports outlining recommendations on issues such as how sub-national devolution can be strengthened, regions given more of a voice in the political system, and how to promote regional and national culture and identity. It would be followed in autumn 2015 with a constitutional convention to determine the UK-wide implications of devolution and bring the recommendations together, to be later debated by Parliament. On the referendum and Cameron’s promise of more devolution of government to the Scottish parliament:
We need a response that matches the scale of this moment. That starts with delivering on our promise of further powers to Scotland. But other people in Britain, including England, now deserve the chance to shape their own futures with a dynamic devolution settlement. This must not be led just by a Westminster elite but be open to every citizen so that they can have their say.