EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Anger at the Conservative/Tory Dominated British Parliament (an anger that goes back to Maggie Thatcher’s Days), a culture that is as much Scandinavian as it is English, AND the lack of creative alternatives (such as a Canada-like federation) have created a situation which could chop away 1/3 of the UK, change NATO and the EU, and mark another degradation of the once glorious Empire over which the sun never set.
Scots hold the fate of the United Kingdom in their hands Thursday as they voted in a referendum on becoming an independent state, deciding whether to unravel a marriage with England that built an empire but has increasingly been felt by many Scots as stifling and one-sided.
The question on the ballot paper is simplicity itself: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Yet it has divided Scots during months of campaigning, and polls suggest the result is too close to call.
A final Ipsos MORI poll released Thursday put support for the No side at 53 percent and Yes at 47 percent. The phone survey of 991 people has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
For a slightly humorous overview….
More at this excellent story exploring the deeper causes and likely impact of a separation.
BREAKING NEWS
Scotland to reject independence – BBC
Scotland will vote to stay in the United Kingdom after rejecting independence, the BBC predicts.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29270441
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Scotland rejects independence with No vote set for victory
Estimated 55% of voters set to reject Alex Salmond’s prospectus for independence with more than half of results declared
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/scotland-independence-no-vote-victory-alex-salmond
I was please with the result.
I am also pleased with devolution.
And now devolution is probably going to include Wales, Ulster, Scotland, England. A smart move.
I’m happier for the Scottish people than the Brits and relieved that more had common sense than not.
Salmond leaving was the right thing to do but I believe his motives were not “Strictly Ballroom Dancing”. Talk is cheap and his statement after his defeat left me cold.
Cameron might keep some promises because of his image building as a fair player before the elections next year, but he doesn’t fool many.
Both countries had too much to lose and helped each other with the right decision.
Wanting independence and wanting growth, vitality, and self governing power seems to create a conundrum. Can small countries maintain the viability they want on their own? I guess it would depend on how entangled the asset/wealth/potential is. And I don’t know what their situation is but these would be the first questions to ask. I would, in my mind, be more satisfied if England has concessions and consequences. Being occupied is never quite what the occupier ever understands. it’s not the same two way street
The questions you are asking are the ones emerging in the last few days especially as applied to things like currency, stock trades, pensions etc. AND growth potential.
So, it seems that Scotland will vote NO as the steam in the Yes campaign appears to have run out…
I favor the UNITED KINGDOM for many reasons (economic, historic, social, nostalgic) but I also favor federated state concept ala Canada. If Scotland votes NO, devolution plus (transferring significant tax-raising and welfare powers from Westminster) heads us in that direction, but devolution max (leaving Westminster controlling only defense, foreign affairs and possibly taxes such as VAT, levied on purchases, and national health insurance but turning over to Edinburgh corporate taxes, air passenger duties, total control over income taxes, and more welfare powers) puts the pedal to the metal.
Two very pro Yes regions appear to have said NO in the vote. If that trend continues then it will be no to independence/seperation
For more see: http://www.ibtimes.com/if-scotland-votes-no-new-promised-powers-will-have-be-wrestled-angry-conservative-mps-1691457
When you have a leader who is taking advice from Rupert Murdoch, his new BFF, you know you are in trouble and greed won’t win the day when you stand to lose your membership to the EU, NATO, the currency, the NHS and no one to bail you out of the financial mess that is sure to follow. Who wants to visit Scotland with a visa and a passport? If they want to play golf they can go to Hawaii, the weather is much warmer and at least people smile a lot. 😉
In case anyone wants to follow.
Counts start in Scottish referendum
Polls close and counting is under way in the referendum to decide whether Scotland should stay in the UK or become an independent country.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29263022
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Scottish Referendum result
Video, audio and text coverage through the night as the referendum results are announced in each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-29130277
I favor the UNITED KINGDOM for many reasons (economic, historic, social, nostalgic) but I also favor federated state concept ala Canada. If Scotland votes NO, devolution plus (transferring significant tax-raising and welfare powers from Westminster) heads us in that direction, but devolution max (leaving Westminster controlling only defense, foreign affairs and possibly taxes such as VAT, levied on purchases, and national health insurance but turning over to Edinburgh corporate taxes, air passenger duties, total control over income taxes, and more welfare powers) puts the pedal to the metal.
Two very pro Yes regions appear to have said NO in the vote. If that trend continues then it will be no to independence/seperation
For more see: http://www.ibtimes.com/if-scotland-votes-no-new-promised-powers-will-have-be-wrestled-angry-conservative-mps-1691457
I would say look at what too much power for your states has done to the U.S. It’s not as if Scotland has a body of water between it and England. We are just a tiny island for goodness sake. If people want to vote on something that would benefit all of us, vote the Tories out of power in our GE next year.
When the NO vote wins, they should have an election to boot the greedy Salmond out of power. He has become used to using taxpayers money for his partying lifestyle. As I said, anyone who has meetings with Rupert Murdoch and takes his advice about something Murdoch has no business being involved in, should be given his marching orders.
I have friends in Scotland who say that in the last week the question of Salmond’s motivation has become commonplace so perhaps the thoughts you share here are the thoughts of others in Scotland.
I agree with your analysis of the reality that geography imparts in decisions like this one.
With 26 out of 32 council districts counted, the NO vote leads.
‘No’ leads in Scottish referendum
The campaign to keep Scotland in the UK takes the most votes so far in the independence referendum, as counting continues across the country.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29263022
Well I think that Salmond just shot himself in the foot. After this spectacle who’s going to trust him?
A two year campaign wasting taxpayers money is defeated in one day.
and now Salmond is out….
Murph, I don’t know enough about this to make a comment. The USA got its independence a while ago from the England and we seem to have done pretty well until lately.
Remember that Texas has wanted to leave the US and become a separate country, too.
Would that be so bad? We would have a buffer between us and Mexico. Hmmmm?
Separatist movements are alive and well in a number of region in the U.S. but Texas does stand out since its own governor made that suggestion in 2011.
Whether Scotland would have fared well or not is looking like one of those things we will not know for the time being as it looks like Scotland will be voting No.
I favor the UNITED KINGDOM for many reasons (economic, historic, social, nostalgic) but I also favor federated state concept ala Canada. If Scotland votes NO, devolution plus (transferring significant tax-raising and welfare powers from Westminster) heads us in that direction, but devolution max (leaving Westminster controlling only defense, foreign affairs and possibly taxes such as VAT, levied on purchases, and national health insurance but turning over to Edinburgh corporate taxes, air passenger duties, total control over income taxes, and more welfare powers) puts the pedal to the metal.
Two very pro Yes regions appear to have said NO in the vote. If that trend continues then it will be no to independence/seperation
For more see: http://www.ibtimes.com/if-scotland-votes-no-new-promised-powers-will-have-be-wrestled-angry-conservative-mps-1691457