Scottish independence referendum, 2014

Scottish independence referendum, 2014. The referendum was a United Kingdom-wide event, with the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Alex Salmond leading the Yes Scotland campaign, while the Better Together campaign, led by Alistair Darling, advocated for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. The Scottish Labour Party, Scottish Conservative Party, and Scottish Liberal Democrats all supported the Better Together campaign, with key figures such as Gordon Brown, Ruth Davidson, and Willie Rennie playing important roles. The European Union and NATO were also relevant to the debate, with David Cameron and Barack Obama commenting on the potential implications of Scottish independence.

Background

The Act of Union 1707 formed the Kingdom of Great Britain, with Scotland and England united under a single Parliament of Great Britain. The Scottish Parliament was re-established in 1999, with Donald Dewar as its first First Minister of Scotland. The Scotland Act 1998 and Scotland Act 2012 further devolved powers to the Scottish Parliament, but the Scottish National Party (SNP) continued to advocate for full independence. Nicola Sturgeon, Jim Sillars, and Tommy Sheridan were among the key figures in the Scottish independence movement, which drew inspiration from the Catalan independence movement and the Quebec sovereignty movement. The Edinburgh Agreement, signed by Alex Salmond and David Cameron in 2012, paved the way for the referendum, with the Electoral Commission overseeing the process.

The Referendum

The referendum asked a single question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" The Electoral Commission set the rules for the campaign, with BBC Scotland, STV, and The Scotsman providing extensive coverage. The Guardian, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph also reported on the campaign, with The Economist and Financial Times analyzing the potential economic implications. The European Commission, International Monetary Fund, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) all commented on the potential consequences of Scottish independence, with Jose Manuel Barroso and Christine Lagarde weighing in on the debate.

Campaigns

The Yes Scotland campaign, led by Alex Salmond and Blair Jenkins, argued that an independent Scotland could take its place on the world stage, with its own United Nations seat and NATO membership. The Better Together campaign, led by Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown, argued that Scotland was stronger as part of the United Kingdom, with access to the Bank of England and the UK's global influence. Jim Murphy, Ruth Davidson, and Willie Rennie were among the key figures in the Better Together campaign, which drew support from Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron. The Scottish Green Party, Scottish Socialist Party, and Women for Independence all supported the Yes Scotland campaign, with Patrick Harvie and Colin Fox playing important roles.

Results

The referendum took place on 18 September 2014, with a turnout of 84.6%. The "No" side won with 2,001,926 votes (55.3%), while the "Yes" side received 1,617,989 votes (44.7%). The Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, and Scottish Borders all voted strongly against independence, while Glasgow and North Lanarkshire voted in favor. The City of Edinburgh and Aberdeen voted narrowly against independence, with Dundee and West Dunbartonshire voting in favor. The results were announced by the Chief Counting Officer, Mary Pitcaithly, with the Electoral Commission overseeing the process.

Aftermath

The result was accepted by Alex Salmond, who announced his resignation as First Minister of Scotland. Nicola Sturgeon succeeded him as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party. The Smith Commission was established to consider further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament, with Lord Smith of Kelvin leading the commission. The Scotland Act 2016 implemented the commission's recommendations, with the Scottish Parliament gaining new powers over income tax and welfare. The European Union referendum, 2016 and the Brexit process have since raised new questions about the future of the United Kingdom and the potential for a second Scottish independence referendum. Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Jeremy Corbyn have all commented on the issue, with the Scottish National Party continuing to advocate for Scottish independence. Category:Scottish independence