Scotland rejects independence from U.K.
The reading
Scotland has voted to stay in the United Kingdom after rejecting independence in a historic vote on Thursday. Scottish people cast their ballots on whether or not to be an independent country for the first time since 1707, when it joined the United Kingdom. Several polls in the weeks before the vote showed a small lead for the pro-independence campaigners. However, on the day, there was a clear victory for those wishing to stay part of the UK, with 55% voting 'No' and 45% voting 'Yes'. The referendum was the culmination of two years of intense campaigning by the 'Yes' and 'No' teams. Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC the result was "a deep personal and political disappointment".
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The referendum was one of the most historic votes ever to take place in the U.K. The United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It would have been a dramatic moment had Scotland broken away. Pro-independence campaigners claimed Scottish people would have been better off as an independent nation. The "Better Together" campaigners, including the U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, said Scottish independence would have been detrimental to Scottish interests. Despite the 'no' vote, Scotland will get more powers from the British government. Ms Sturgeon said she would work with "anyone in any way" to secure more powers for Scotland.
Sources:
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29270441
- http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/09/19/scotland-referendum-vote/15839719/
- http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/its-no-go-scotland-rejects-independence.1411101075
