Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Scotland rejects independence from Britain

By

19 September 2014 05:55 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Voters in Scotland have rejected independence from Britain, opting to preserve a more than 300-year-old union in a referendum Thursday that sent shock waves through Europe and opened the door to continuing political tumult in Britain.

With turnout averaging 85% -- so closely watched that several pubs got special license to stay open all night as the returns came in — voters dealt a decisive blow to the controversial ballot measure that would have ended Scotland’s union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The independence measure was losing in all-but-final returns with 55% voting against independence, compared with 45% voting "yes."

The outcome was a blow to First Minister Alex Salmond and his Scottish National Party, which pushed for the referendum when it won a majority in the Scottish regional parliament in 2011."Let us not dwell on the distance we have fallen short," Salmond said in a concession speech early Friday. "A movement is abroad in Scotland that will take this nation forward, and we shall go forward as one nation."

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called the projected result “a deep personal and political disappointment,” but told the BBC that “the country has been changed forever.”

Independence has been a long-cherished goal for Scottish nationalists. But while the result was not what they had hoped, Scotland in any case is still poised to wrest more powers from the central government in London. Hoping to win over disaffected Scots, the three main political parties in Britain promised last month to turn over more control over tax policy and public spending to the semiautonomous government in Edinburgh.

"Scotland will expect these [promises] to be honored in rapid force," Salmond said.

Thursday’s referendum sparked intense interest in Scotland, where an average about 84% of the 4.2 million registered voters cast ballots, one of the highest turnouts Scotland has ever recorded. They included 16- and 17-year-olds, who were allowed to vote for the first time.

Opinion polls showed a close race leading up to the ballot. Scotland’s pro-independence camp closed a gap of more than 20 percentage points in the campaign’s final months. (Los Angeles Times)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 10

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Sylvia Haik Friday, 19 September 2014 10:52 AM

    The lesson learnt here is that it is always good to be together than apart. As the British do in Scotland, please treat all citizens equally no matter their religion, colour or creed.

    Opened Eyes ! Friday, 19 September 2014 10:57 AM

    Dear all,
    Just keep ur eyes opened 45% likes to be seperated.

    SENARATNE Friday, 19 September 2014 11:00 AM

    England wanted Scotland to stay wth them.But their foreign policy is to separate other countries except allies.How Camaron behaved freely in SL when he attend CHOGM, supporting tamil separatists.

    Perera the Great Friday, 19 September 2014 03:30 PM

    Monkey and the Lion are both gone. Now it is the time of the Panda in SL


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H