Scottish voters react after country says 'No' to independence
- 10 years ago
As it became clear that Scotland had voted against independence, the front page of Britain’s Sun newspaper declared “Reunited Kingdom.”
But just how united with the rest of the UK are Scots feeling today?
Amongst those who wanted independence there is bitter disappointment at the result.
One campaigner told euronews: “I am devastated by the count today, and I think people actually horribly will find out in a few month that they have been lied to.”
For those who wanted to remain a part of the Union there is a sense that this is not the end of the story.
“Independence never goes away, you can never kill independence, but if we got, last time I checked it was 10 percent, it might have gone down, but yes I think we have a large enough majority we can put this to bed for at least 15 or 20 years,” said a pro-Union supporter.
Now it will be down to Westminster to keep to its promises to give Scotland more control over taxation and social benefits. A new draft law is expected to be drawn up by January 2015.
“This is not minor, this is going to be a major structural change of the UK’s constitutional structure,” explained Dr Jan Eichhorn, Professor of Public Policy at Edinburgh University.
“That has to follow if this is meant to be lasting and not resulting in further independence movements,” he added.
On the day, Scotland opted for reform rather than revolution, but with almost 85 percent voter turnout, Scots have engaged with politics as never before.
Elsewhere in the UK there are calls for greater autonomy for the regions.
If Westminster hopes the ‘No’ vote is the end of the chapter, it may be mistaken.
But just how united with the rest of the UK are Scots feeling today?
Amongst those who wanted independence there is bitter disappointment at the result.
One campaigner told euronews: “I am devastated by the count today, and I think people actually horribly will find out in a few month that they have been lied to.”
For those who wanted to remain a part of the Union there is a sense that this is not the end of the story.
“Independence never goes away, you can never kill independence, but if we got, last time I checked it was 10 percent, it might have gone down, but yes I think we have a large enough majority we can put this to bed for at least 15 or 20 years,” said a pro-Union supporter.
Now it will be down to Westminster to keep to its promises to give Scotland more control over taxation and social benefits. A new draft law is expected to be drawn up by January 2015.
“This is not minor, this is going to be a major structural change of the UK’s constitutional structure,” explained Dr Jan Eichhorn, Professor of Public Policy at Edinburgh University.
“That has to follow if this is meant to be lasting and not resulting in further independence movements,” he added.
On the day, Scotland opted for reform rather than revolution, but with almost 85 percent voter turnout, Scots have engaged with politics as never before.
Elsewhere in the UK there are calls for greater autonomy for the regions.
If Westminster hopes the ‘No’ vote is the end of the chapter, it may be mistaken.