Scotland YES or NO

Alex Salmond has resigned

Basically the same, Nelliemoser. We had a minority who felt hard done by who thought they could do a better job on their own. It may have been true but the gamble would have affected 33 million people, not just the 6 million involved in the vote, and there was no guarantee either side would benifit.
The economics of scale suggest it is cheaper to have a military for one group than two militaries for two groups, one much larger than the other. The same goes for all other government services (embassies, border and passport services etc.)
It all comes down to the question of being masters of our own home but in the end, who benifits and gets the right to dance in the streets? It should be the person who pays the piper and that's the ordinary citizen.
I think we are working that out (not without much gnashing of teeth) but
our country is a child of yours and I think, like in most families, we have learned a lot from those who originally guided us. We'll be all right and so will you.

Travelingman That is an interesting perspective on the Scottish attempts at independence.

Were the arguments for and against that one similar to Scotland's?

Jenni Murray on Woman's Hour did an interesting interview with these two woman. Better Together campaigner Alison Dowling & Rachel Ormston of the Social Attitudes Survey.

The observations of Rachel Ormston of the Social Attitudes Survey were particularly interesting.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04gypdk

YAY!!!!!! The NO's won. I don't have to eat my hat[ as I said I would if the YES vote prevailed] and even though it is a virtual hat, it was large, woolly and had a pom pom that may have been difficult to swallow.
Some interesting political times ahead now.

As a Canadian who's mum came from Fife I've watched this with great interest because we went through it with Quebec a few years ago. Our vote was much closer and after it was over, everyone, yes and no's, realized how close we came to wrecking something good that only needed tweeking. Since then things have been going quite well and there is little discussion of another vote.
I think the whole island will win if people of good faith now sit down and sort out the problems that exist. Its a great opportunity.

I don't think the vast majority of Westminster politicians understand the lives of most of their constituents, let alone the Scots. Let them try living on even an average wage, let alone the minimum wage, while claiming that "austerity" (roughly translated as keeping taxes low for the rich) is the only way forward.

The idea of enhanced powers for regions sounds attractive - but if those in local power are as completely useless and corrupt as the ones round here, it may not bring the desired gains.

Another one here who agrees with When's post.
But although I would have been sad if Scotland had left, having several connections there, I would have liked to have seen you gaining independence and making a success of it.
As an example to the rest of us.

I expected a 'No' vote and think without the bullying - it would have been massive and also could have benefitted from the removal of the 'over 16' vote!

I was looking for a link from this thread.

Sorry, wrong thread. It must have moved itself while I was typing.

As you were.

noodles I am sure they would love to up their game, but they don't have the resources, the experience, the kudos, or the sheer "Capital city confidence" of London. They are on the edge of the "known world". That is what the unrest is about. There is the prosperous and powerful Souith-East, and there is the rest of the country. Telling them to stop whinging and pull themselves up be their bootstraps does not work.

The Institute for Public Policy Research has published a paper which says:-

“Over the past century, England has become one of the most centralised nations in the developed world, despite the considerable powers devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the success of London, with its strong regional governance and mayoral leadership.”

“We argue that England’s 80-year-long experiment with centralisation has failed, and it is time to embark on a new journey: a programme of decentralisation that will liberate the nation, drive prosperity and growth, and provide a new platform for more innovative and effective public service reform and a society which is more equal.”

One of their points is a need for “a clear timetable for enabling the decentralisation of nearly 40 key administrative, fiscal and political functions of government, starting prior to the 2015 general election.”

http://www.ippr.org/publications/decentralisation-decade

I agree with when's post as well, with the proviso that I hope this has not made us all more suspicious, with the nations of the UK all squabbling over the not very large cake, each keeping an eye on his/her sibling to make sure they haven't got more than their fair share.
We need to all pull together for the good of the family now.

I am so pleased to hear the results. Living in the North East I have always felt closer to the Scottish than the South of England and would have been sad to see a split. Let's hope that Westminster can now look at the UK as a whole, and not just concentrate their efforts in and around London.

I woke up in time for the result and went back to sleep as I expected. Woke up at 8.45 to hear the gardener arriving. I could have lived with either result, though I tended towards 'No'. In a way I'd have been proud if my compatriots had decided to go it alone, but if the pledges that the party leaders have made come to pass, then the rest of Britain will be the winners too.

Thank goodness for that. I think a lot of us can heave a sigh of relief, and look forward to a brighter future together, Onwards and upwards for Team GB. YES!!!

Phew too! Looks like England, Wales and N Ireland will gain from this too. I`m from Edinburgh and it was 61:39% No:Yes. I wasn't surprised as there are so many financial services/big businesses here. I was quite surprised at such similar percentages in the more rural areas. Oh well. Onwards! Good luck to all our friends in every country within the UK. Our UK.

Thank you Marelli

I thought everyone behaved extremely well and the winner has been democracy.

Its a good result all round I feel- its a catalyst for more local government for all and that cant be a bad thing.

I like when's post too. As I said to a yes voter in Oban this morning, most of the no voters want changes that will bring more real democracy not only to Scotland but to other regions of the UK as well. It was never about nationalism for me. So, chin up and let's go for it!

So, that's all over! Salmond and Cameron utterly discredited and both should fall on their swords. Now its time to lick wounds, rebuild for the common good, and sort out the shambles that Westminster has become.

I also like "whens" post.Disappointed with the outcome but hope the huge turnout will be a kickstart to future generations being actively involved in how they are governed.My region North Lanarkshire also recorded a YES result.Ironically the votes were counted at Ravenscraig,on the site of the former steelworks.

Thank goodness for that. I have just realised this is a different thread to the staying all night one I dropped onto at 4 pmish .
The noes were ahead then. What we shall never know is if that no is what most people wanted from the start or if minds were changed. Those campaigning usually shout louder than the silent majority.

ninathenana, it's spelled 'sassenach'!