Scottish Independence Referendum is agreed: vote in 2014

[Ludicus]

Well, the voice of the Scottish people has spoken. That's a how democracy works.
That said, The Velvet Divorce in European History proved that states can divide peacefully.

I personally don't have faith in the UK to transfer to a working federal system

Agreed. Btw, in Europe, UK/England/whatever does not wish to lose its sovereignty. Cameron is against a federal Europe. How can Cameron be both pro-federalist (in the UK) and anti-federalist (in Europe)?

[Napoleonic Bonapartism]

That video above was taken before counting took place, of course it does still look remarkably dodgy, however, that is one woman on her own and frankly her rather repetitive and methodical behaviour looks more like OCD than anything else. If there was evidence of this taking place during counting then it would be more meaningful.

Quite Right. However I suspect elements of the losing side were always going to cry fowl whatever the verdict. Even if it is altered here and there I doubt 5% of the votes could have been moved without someone noticing. Nevertheless the 'Yes' side - or certain elements of it - may try to rally around claims such as this.

[UselessPoster]

Jealous jocks finding excuses to pin the rigging on the UK hehe.

[Poach]

Jealous secessionist jocks: I for one am delighted with the result!

New social media phenomenon: sore losers everywhere adding '45' badges onto their Facebook pictures in memory of the vote they lost.

[UselessPoster]

Jealous secessionist jocks: I for one am delighted with the result!

New social media phenomenon: sore losers everywhere adding '45' badges onto their Facebook pictures in memory of the vote they lost.

It was more sarcastic mate people cant take jokes these days ;p.

[Condottiere 40K]

The irony may be that polls showing that the Yes vote was ahead and likely to win independence for Scotland, shocked the older generation enough to go out and vote No.

[Treize]

The irony may be that polls showing that the Yes vote was ahead and likely to win independence for Scotland, shocked the older generation enough to go out and vote No.

Yeah. I mean even the 16 and 17 year old did not manage to give them a majority.

[6th Vigil]

Agreed. Btw, in Europe, UK/England/whatever does not wish to lose its sovereignty. Cameron is against a federal Europe. How can Cameron be both pro-federalist (in the UK) and anti-federalist (in Europe)?

True this is a slight hypocrisy but I like how you ignore the contradictory position of Scottish nationalists, or pro-independence supporters, who want their sovereignty from London but are quite keen to be a part of the EU. Can't be Scottish, British and European but can be Scottish and European. No one else find this confusing at all?

[caratacus]

The irony may be that polls showing that the Yes vote was ahead and likely to win independence for Scotland, shocked the older generation enough to go out and vote No.

I am glad Salmond's cynical way of bumping up the vote with weans didn't work . You are right the much publicised poll showing Yes slightly ahead and subsequent polls showing it neck and neck, got people to come out and vote who would otherwise have stayed at home.

Ironically the more vocal the Yes crowd (and they were very vocal) the more it galzanized the No support. Politicians had very little influence on the No vote. This video shows a nice example of Yes campaigners who as usually didn't do much for their cause. The video was posted to shame the Unionist reacting to a girl trying to snatch his megaphone with a kick, not realizing that it in fact does the opposite.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[nemgod]

Why is the megaphone user being shamed anyway? The woman tried to steal his property and the movement of his foot was nothing more than a push away with his feet. It wasn't some kind of unprovoked attack on the woman.

[Napoleonic Bonapartism]

She clearly wanted to take his megaphone away - that kick was a kick for freedom of speech! A kick for Democracy...

[nemgod]

You may take my megaphone but you'll never take my FREEDOM... of speech.

[caratacus]

She clearly wanted to take his megaphone away - that kick was a kick for freedom of speech! A kick for Democracy...

She probably thought it would fetch a good price at the local pawn shop. Its a big mistake saying 'Id need to be killed to stop doing this" if he was in Glasgow Govan

[King_Porus]

Just thought I'd put this here...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Have fun dealing with the loud minority of separatists trying to keep the "dream" alive from decades, even though the majority clearly don't agree with them

[Sharpe]

Ugh, "the dream".


Quebec/Scotland personify political freedom as a result of these votes. They could actually not be not more free. They had the choice to leave but chose against it to the benefit of their people.


Choosing not to be independent is freedom. They were free to pick their allegiance, and with that freedom chose to keep it the way it is.

[caratacus]

Just thought I'd put this here...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Have fun dealing with the loud minority of separatists trying to keep the "dream" alive from decades, even though the majority clearly don't agree with them

That would have been a fitting flag for a Scotland dominated by the French, if Bonnie Prince Charlie would have succeeded. And given France's record elsewhere in the World, that relationship would have quickly turned sour once England wasn't a threat.

Quebec isn't really a good comparison with Scotland. The Scots aren't a remnant of a colonial empire beaten by the British. They are a country which is part of a Union, the Union flag is as much theirs as England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The fact that so many feel removed from this fact, is something of great concern and needs addressing

[Condottiere 40K]

I heard that the uncertainty created by a secessionist Quebec caused quite a number of businesses and English speakers to set up shop somewhere less xenophobic, and discouraged any commercial investment.

[Ludicus]

you ignore the contradictory position of Scottish nationalists, or pro-independence supporters, who want their sovereignty from London but are quite keen to be a part of the EU. ...No one else find this confusing at all?

No, there is no contradiction. An example, Slovenia and the Czech Republic-both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.

[G-Megas-Doux]

I do find it contradictory. Either you want independence or you don't. If Britain is part of the EU then Scotland is part of the EU. If Scotland is independent from the Britain but then part of the EU then Scotland still has to follow EU dictates. As both would be part of the EU it would make no difference. What really should be given to the UK as a whole by the way is whether Britain should be part of the EU. We haven't had a vote on it and that is unfair. At least Scotland has had a referendum on being in the UK.

[neoptolemos]

Agreed. Btw, in Europe, UK/England/whatever does not wish to lose its sovereignty. Cameron is against a federal Europe. How can Cameron be both pro-federalist (in the UK) and anti-federalist (in Europe)?

Indeed, it seems he uttered promises within UK because of his panic which are absolutely controversial compared to his "non-federalist" positions some months ago.

It is inevitable IMHO that the British people will contest the current UK status and they will assert a more decentralised and federal form of government