Scotland votes "No"

Alex Salmond’s dream of Scottish independence was dashed today after voters threw their support behind the United Kingdom in a result that promises to bury the separation issue for at least a generation.

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Reaction :

David Cameron immediately said he was “delighted” with the result and signalled an immediate constitutional shake-up that is set to see non-English MPs barred from key votes in the Commons.

“Now the debate has been settled for a generation, or as Alex Salmond has said, perhaps for a lifetime. There can be no disputes, no re-runs,” he said.

The prime minister said that he would ensure that a pledge to devolve tax, welfare and borrowing powers would be delivered in full, with proposals drawn up by November. It will be overseen by Lord Smith of Kelvin.

Speaking exclusively to The Times ahead of the result, Mr Salmond sent a blunt warning to Mr Cameron that he must accept his legal “responsibilities” to deliver the best deal for Scotland regardless of the outcome. The move was seen as an opening salvo in the post-referendum negotiations before the outcome was known.

Although he said he would accept the will of the people if the vote went against him, he risked inflaming tensions further in a message aimed squarely at Conservative backbenchers. He said all should accept that once “it is over, it is over, particularly politicians who are not the story in this referendum, in my estimation. But they have an obligation to lead positively.”

Although the polls had been too close to call in the fortnight ahead of the referendum, the No camp’s hopes of victory were boosted immediately after voting closed as a YouGov online survey of those who had cast their ballot suggested a shift in favour of the Union. It put No ahead on 54 per cent, and Yes at 46. It was conducted among those surveyed on Wednesday that had put “No” on 52 and Yes on 48.

As the postal votes were counted at Ingliston, Better Together sources said that they were splitting in their favour. And, as the first few councils declared for “no”, they became increasingly confident. The first declaration – Clackmannanshire – went 54 per cent no, 46 per cent “yes”, a greater majority for the Unionists than either side expected.

When half of the 32 councils had announced, the split was 44 per cent for “yes” and 56 per cent for “no”.

Three declarations at about 4.15am were dire for the Nationalists. In Angus, an SNP council and stronghold, went to the No camp by 56 per cent to 44 per cent. In Aberdeen, the split was 59 per cent to 41 per cent the same way. And in Perth and Kinross it was 60 per cent versus 40 per cent.

Nicola Sturgeon, the deputy first minister, faced the cameras when SNP strategists were already privately admitting defeat. She said the vote showed a “big appetite for substantial change” among Scots. She added: “I will work with anybody and do anything I can to deliver substantial powers for the Scottish Parliament.”

Mr Salmond had been expected to attend the Aberdeenshire count in the city of Aberdeen, and possibly fly on to Edinburgh. It emerged just after midnight that he had decided to stay in his home village of Strichen until morning.

Main points :

• Scotland votes to reject independence

• No wins by more than 10 per cent

• 55.4% No, 44.6% Yes. Turnout 84.4%

• Cameron pledges rapid action on further devolution

• PM also vows to deliver “English votes for English laws”

• One more council to declare

• Salmond urges Scotland to accept result

• Says Scotland has rejected independence “at this stage”

• Pound rises against the dollar

• Ed Miliband to speak in Glasgow at 9am.

Latest news :

08.00 19th September 2014:

We’re still waiting the result from Highland, where the count has been delayed due to a car crash on the A9. But even if all of Highland’s 190,778 votes go to the Yes campaign, the union would remain intact.

From an article in the Times Newspaper 19/09/2014.