M A I N   N E W S

Special to The Tribune
Scots vote to stay united with Kingdom
Referendum result: 55% voters say ‘No’ to independence
Cameron breathes easy
Shyam Bhatia in London

The Irish bookies have proved their worth in the Scottish referendum. On Thursday night they were predicting 1-100 that Scots would vote to stay in the United Kingdom and on Friday morning, the bookies proved to be correct when Scotland voted 55-45 to stay united.

The clear cut vote means Prime Minister David Cameron gets to keep his job, at least for the time being, and the Opposition Labour Party, which relies on Scotland for much of its national support, will remain a force to be reckoned with in British national politics.

Accepting defeat, Scottish National Party leader and Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Scotland has decided by majority not at this stage to become an independent country.

“I accept that verdict of the people and I call on all of Scotland to follow suit accepting the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland.” But while accepting the popular majority decision, Salmond also called on leaders of the main national parties to meet their pre-referendum promises of giving still more powers to Scotland. “The unionist parties made vows late in the campaign to devolve more powers. Scotland will expect these to be honoured in rapid course,” Salmond said.

In his victory speech, Cameron said the independence debate had been settled for a generation, but just as Scotland’s voice had been heard, so now it was time for English voices to be heard.

“I’ve long believed that a crucial part missing from this national discussion is England. We’ve heard the voice of Scotland, but now the millions of voices of England must also be heard. The question of English votes for English laws… requires a decisive answer.

“So just as Scotland will vote separately in Scottish Parliament on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England as well as Wales and Northern Ireland should be able to vote on these issue.”

With verdict out, those who predicted disaster as well as those who came out publicly in favour of partition, such as tennis champion Andy Murray and actor Sean Connery, will now have to eat their words and keep a low profile.

Other public figures, such as Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who donated huge sums of money to support the cause for unity, the “Better Together” campaign, have every reason to be pleased.

Shortly after the result was announced, Rowling tweeted: “Been up all night watching Scotland make history. A huge turnout, a peaceful democratic process: we should be proud.”

Stocks and Sterling rose immediately after the referendum results. Economists say the Bank of England is likely to press ahead with raising interest rates early next year.