SCOTTISH REFERENDUM OVERVIEW Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Gordon Brown has not only made a major contribution to saving the Union but has to some extent redeemed his political reputation south of the border – his political stock has always remained high in his own country. His fiercely passionate interventions in the last couple of weeks were a reminder of what a formidable politician he was/is and perhaps highlighted the political lightness of both the current Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party. But perhaps the most serious ramification of the whole referendum campaign is the deep divisions in parts of Scottish society as a result of the nastiness of some in the Yes camp and their attitude that ‘if you’re not with us you must be against us’ with no understanding that a love of Scotland was indeed compatible with a no vote. My fear, as a Scot, is that these divisions may take some time to resolve and for Scottish society to get back to an even keel.
It was said when the Troubles in Northern Ireland were at their height that one of the principal reasons why sectarian violence did not break out in the west of Scotland in particular was that the Celtic versus Rangers matches allowed a channel for the letting off of sectarian hatred. No equivalent release valve is currently in place to take account of these fresh tensions. However, by coincidence, the England football team is crossing the border to play Scotland in Glasgow on 18 November and it may well be that this match not only allows the frustration of the defeated Yes campaign to be aired but also helps to reunite the Scottish nation – at least for 90 minutes.
POLITICAL REACTION
David Robertson
THE HEADLINES
David Cameron MP
Prime Minister “It is absolutely right that a new and fair settlement for Scotland should be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of the United Kingdom.”
POPULAR VOTE
45% 55%
Alex Salmond MSP
First Minister of Scotland “Scotland has by a majority decided not, at this stage, to become an independent country and I accept that verdict of the people.”
Alistair Darling MP
KEY REGIONAL RESULTS
Better Together Campaign Chair “We have chosen unity over division, a positive change over needless separation.”
Edinburgh
No 61.10%
Yes 38.90%
Glasgow
No 46.51%
Yes 53.49%
John Longworth
Dundee
No 42.65%
Yes 57.35%
Aberdeen
No 58.61%
Yes 41.39%
Director General, British Chambers of Commerce “Any devolution deal for Scotland should trigger a new debate on local autonomy in England, where businesspeople in many areas want more freedom from Westminster and more influences over how their taxes are spent.”
JK Rowling
Author and Better Together supporter “Been up all night watching Scotland make history. A huge turnout, a peaceful democratic process: we should be proud.”
MORE REACTION AND ANALYSIS…
TURNOUT
84.48% Total turnout across Scotland
Gurpreet Brar Where do we go from here?
1950
Previously the highest turnout in a UK election (83.9%)
Benedict McAleenan A short sigh of relief…
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