I am utterly devastated about the outcome of the vote. In a way, I actually feel embarrassed to say I'm Scottish - we rejected independence...

However, the country has spoken through the most democratic way possible with the highest turnout in history. I can only hope that Westminster deliver on their promises made to us and do not short change us.

We not move on to become one Scotland within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

I just have one question, What would y'all have gained from your independence from a 300-years old union? Honestly I think that it was for the best of Scotland to stay in the union.

However, I have to affiliation nor have I ever reside in Scotland so it's really none of my business I just had that question.

 

Thanks :)

Same here. I have no connection with Scotland whatsoever. However, Scotland has every right to be free, if they choose to have it. But looks like they didn't want it for some reason.

I'm pleased with the outcome :) Glad that Scottish majority is reasonable enough to save one of the best states in the world from breaking. Frankly, the choice between independence for the sake of it and the Union was always weird to me. I also was afraid that Scottish separatism will designate the end of Europe as we know it and probably terminate the European Union. But this all doesn't matter any longer :)

I think this is the right decision for Scotland.  The important thing now is that so many people stay involved in the process and make the UK government deliver on its promise.  Some might be disappointed that Scotland "didn't have the guts" to vote yes, but this is bigger than that.  With a 45% yes vote, I think a clear message is sent down to London that there must be change.  They've seen a yes campaign that has come absolutely unglued in recent weeks and a no campaign that has had to frantically scramble on the defensive.  We need to make it a clear now that while this isn't a vote for independence, it isn't a vote for the status quo either.

 

Nobody should be embarrassed by this vote - it was a fantastic exercise in democracy.  I just hope that the Glaswegians don't hate us Edinbuggers even more now :)

I don't hold any loyality to any country. That said, I'm from Scotland and its a bit of a shame to see the outcome.

It was definitely short term thinking by the 16-25 population that caused the no vote. Students are easily convinced. Older minds remember how much we've been fucked by the Conservatives and by extension - the UK government. In the long term, no country rejects its independence -- the issues being debated were mostly short-term.

Its a bit confusing as some one who has come from Scotland to see the Scottish so strongly side with the Conservatives on this one.

But it was democratic, as democratic as the Crimean independence -- even if both have been misled. We have to respect the outcome.

The lib dems have seen how bullshiting students helps an election, and I think conservatives took one from that book.

I don't hold any loyality to any country. That said, I'm from Scotland and its a bit of a shame to see the outcome.

It was definitely short term thinking by the 16-25 population that caused the no vote. Students are easily convinced. Older minds remember how much we've been fucked by the Conservatives and by extension - the UK government. In the long term, no country rejects its independence -- the issues being debated were mostly short-term.

Its a bit confusing as some one who has come from Scotland to see the Scottish so strongly side with the Conservatives on this one.

But it was democratic, as democratic as the Crimean independence -- even if both have been misled. We have to respect the outcome.

The lib dems have seen how bullshiting students helps an election, and I think conservatives took one from that book.

Lol, not sure I would describe the Crimean independence as democratic. Sure they voted for independence with an overwhelming vote for independence but that was only after the Russian military took control of the peninsula. I am curious to see what the outcome would have been without a Russian intervention but that is for another thread.

Lol, not sure I would describe the Crimean independence as democratic. Sure they voted for independence with an overwhelming vote for independence but that was only after the Russian military took control of the peninsula. I am curious to see what the outcome would have been without a Russian intervention but that is for another thread.

Frankly, the majority of Crimeans are ethnic Russians, so the outcome was easily predictable. Russian army prevented any opposition from voting and immobilized Ukrainian  forces. Scottish referendum definitely wasn't that predictable, but still show the will of the people.

 

But for me this comparison seems out of place since Crimea never wanted to be independent. 

Frankly, the majority of Crimeans are ethnic Russians, so the outcome was easily predictable. Russian army prevented any opposition from voting and immobilized Ukrainian  forces. Scottish referendum definitely wasn't that predictable, but still show the will of the people.

 

But for me this comparison seems out of place since Crimea never wanted to be independent. 

Yes, the majority of Crimeans are ethnic Russian (about 60%) but the "vote" for independence came at about a 95% vote for yes which seems pretty suspicious to me. I also like how the armed men in military uniforms (probably Russians) would not let independent media sources inside the Crimean parliament building when they took a vote on independence. None of it adds up, but I will leave this for another thread.

I have to say it is nice to know that society has progressed to point where a want for independence can be determined democratic with the proper judgement taken on a notional scale by the public majority. I mean it is a big step up from what happened here (Ireland). Things are getting better here but too many people have died for the wrong cause. You people may not think so strongly about this aspect, but I have seen too much blood shed over something so simple that has been accomplished in a civilised way by someone else.

 

Any ways, in the grand aspect of things, I am glad that Scotland has stayed a part of out Union, It will be better for both economy's. And better for the Scottish themselves, I mean if they had achieved their goal, it would have been a pretty tough tiume for the first 10 years or so. I mean, they can only get so much help from the EU and such.

 

I do hope that Westminster stands by their promises and does deliver with what they have promised... Although I wouldn't get my/your hopes up...

The only good thing from this is that Scotland has now changed the entire future of the United Kingdom, influenced democracy in a way and caused politicians to think twice when it comes to the treatment of their populace.

 

The negativity that has came from the no vote has been disgraceful, appalling and just an embarrassment. People die fighting for Independence and we have the option to simply put a cross in a box but unfortunately we ended up rejecting our own independence. It is just embarrassing and shameful. 

 

I am still proud to be Scottish, but the word itself is slowly loosing its meaning as are the people who are tied to it.  The rest of the U.K has benefited from us staying, Westminster has, as for Scotland, it has not really, at least not yet. 

 

And to be honest, with the track record Westminster has for delivering, these extra so called powers from the vow, as stupid as they may be, for example allowing us to raise tax but not lower it........, are not going to be implemented exactly 100% as to what each party agreed to, including Mr Cameron. The politicians there simply would not allow Scotland to possess more power than the rest of the U.K because it is unfair to the rest of the U.K.

 

And as we have been hearing, many have already spoke out against the idea and the promise has already taken its first step on being broken within 24 hours because on Friday, Westminster, Gordon Brown and the joint union were supposed to deliver and present to Scotland the timetable for these powers, to which they have not done yet. So in all honesty they are taking the piss.

 

This can easily be seen from the media and of course the politicians telling Scottish MP's to stay out of English concerns and not be allowed to vote and England receiving more power, which has already been prepared according to some. I mean, that is supposed to be the point of this "United Kingdom", Equality. And again Westminster has proven the thoughts and verdicts of many be basically saying Scottish MP's don't have a say in matters concerning a part of the U.K whereas English Politicians have a say on Scottish matters......

 

Not to mention all the rioting by unionist loyalist supporters and their disgraceful vile acts of burning the Scottish Flag, attacking people carrying rightfully the Scottish flag in place of the Union Jack and not to mention attacks on Police and everyday Scots, A yes vote would still have been the best option, Scotland taking control over its own affairs and having to share all its wealth among not 63 million people but 5 million people, thus increasing the wealth even more to the Scottish Economy, budgets etc.

 

The result of the No vote in my opinion again was simply that least week of pure scaremongering from banks and business who later have actually admitted nothing would change or their verdicts were not that thought out etc. I mean take Loyds, HQ moving to London, already in London. RBS moving HQ, no, moving a plaque which doesn't affect any jobs even admitted by RBS Director, Tesco prices go up, they stated that was pure scaring and rejected the claims made by media etc. Also pricing and tax going up, it is going to go up now anyway from a no vote, so really was irrelevant. So much more contributed, establishment all coming up here with media backing majority of it. The 55% of Scotland fell for the last plead and chance for Westminster and now as we all now know, are coming to regret that.

 

People are already starting to regret their decision now, question their judgement but it is too late for that. Everybody knows what Westminster is capable of from the past, but seems the 55% who voted no didn't grasp that. So now we are engrained in the U.K now permanently, Mr Salmond is gone, and without him and a strong SNP, their is no way Scotland will have such a push as we just did, to gain Independence. Not to mention financially and economically, politically, Scotland may not be in such a good position as it was, to be able to push off as it could have in the event of a yes vote this year. The decision has been accepted, also by myself, and people need to move on now but Scotland's future would have been much brighter with the Scottish people governing our country and having full access to our own assets.

Edited September 20, 201411 yr by Lt. A.Kouassi

UTTERLY UTTERLY GUTTED, with the results.

UTTERLY UTTERLY GUTTED, with the results.

 

 

So am I, and the consequences of it, but, just wait when they cannot deliver. And fail again. Scotland will respond in a way which it never has for years and years. And it won't be that 45% leading the way. It will be that 55% who voted no leading and pressurising the establishment.

 

The resignation of our First minster, who fought for Scotland all his life, I don't blame him, he has put too much of his life to Scotland and people threw it back in his face. Lets see how long people last without a proper voice like Mr Salmonds. The man who gave and has kept free education, prescriptions and much much more of Scotlands policies and values that we enjoy today. It is indeed just insane and unreal. As for vote rigging and fraud, with half the steps taken anyway like voting via pencil in some areas and all the strange acts, I wouldn't be surprised if tampering went on. But it was still going to be a No vote anyway, would have been no doubt. But much much closer.

I am utterly devastated about the outcome however I will respect it. Our country actually voted no to independence - we rejected it! It isn't right at all. What we will see now is the leaders of the no campaign go back into hiding and leave the Westminster government to slowly push their vow back into the closet with all other things that matter. They mus realise that the people of Scotland will not stand for that and they surely know that change must happen. 

 

Scenes in Glasgow yesterday were absolutely disgusting. Unionists burning the Saltire, Nazi saluting, intimidating young children, and fighting with the police. The last time I checked, politics and football were classed as something completely different however, those scenes showed otherwise with the chants of Rangers filling the air. It really is embarrassing that the future of our country was decided by football. This really isn't a Scotland that I would like to be associated with in the slightest.

 

The Better Together campaign was a complete shambles which had the Westminster government on their side - telling the media what they can and cannot report on and telling businesses to make up scare stories. In the end, the majority of voters were intimidated into voting no. The Yes Scotland campaign however, had the people on it's side. People who were not afraid to stand up to press censorship or intimidation by false business claims. People who had hope for their country. 

 

I can say for sure, there will definitely be another referendum in my lifetime.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the independence movement didn't have the people on their side. They literally asked basically all the people over 16 years old living in Scotland, 85%-odd bothered to respond, and 55% of those said "no". I'm curious how you can seriously claim the people are on the side of independence when that appears to be demonstrably false.

You seem to claim that I said the majority of people were on the side of independence. By saying what I did, I am simply referring to the fact that the yes campaign played a fair and democratic game with no involvement from the Westminster government. Of course I can clearly see that the majority were against independence. 

 

People die fighting for Independence and we have the option to simply put a cross in a box but unfortunately we ended up rejecting our own independence.

There it is. You said it yourself. Most "independences" I have read about, required sacrifices, of human lives and luxuries. And when you read about these nations in books, you'll find one common line written for each and every one of them: They fought for their independence.

 

In Scotland's case, independence meant- a holiday where you can feel cozy in your bedroom, do nothing but just put a cross in a box on a piece of paper and decide the fate of your country just like that. My point is- the value of something... anything, increases drastically when you fight for it. The sacrifices made are directly proportional to that thing's value in people's minds. Scots didn't actually have to do anything. Hence, the result. No offense to the 'No' campaigners but its the bitter truth. If you think I'm wrong, just read the history of nations who fought for and gained their independence from say, the Britishers (what else could be more fitting right now?).