It is better to stay United

Scottish voters have decided to stay united by voting ‘No’ to independence.

The whole of the United Kingdom held its breath for the outcome of the referendum, which took place yesterday and saw a record-breaking turnout of 84.6 per cent. For the very first time, even 16 and 17-year-olds were allowed to vote and more than 100,000 registered to have their say on Scotland’s future.

“The people of Scotland have spoken and it is a clear result. They have kept our country of four nations together and like millions of other people,  I am delighted”, Prime Minister David Cameron has declared this early morning in a statement outside No 10.

The PM, who last week rushed to Scotland with political rivals Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg to save the UK, added:

“So now it is time for our United Kingdom to come together and to move forward”.

Also former PM Gordon Brown had pleaded with voters to stand up in order not to end the 307-year-old partnership of countries.

During his very recent speech, Mr Brown highlighted how the whole Britain fought and won a war against fascism .

“There is not a cemetery in Europe that does not have Scots, English, Welsh and Irish lined side by side”,  he said.

Independence would have put jobs, the economy and the NHS at risk. Scotland would have been out of EU, as well.

Before the referendum took place, Cameron promised Scotland more powers over tax and welfare and now that its population voted for a stronger Scottish parliament backed by the strength and security of the United Kingdom, the PM has answered to those in Scotland who are still sceptical of the constitutional promises he made, by saying:

“ We have delivered on devolution under this government and we will do so again in the next parliament (….). We now have a great opportunity to come together and work constructively (…) to advance the interest of people in Scotland as well as those on  England, Wales and Northern Ireland”.

The First Secretary of State William Hague will draw up a Scotland Bill by January 2015, with the aim of guaranteeing a balanced settlement, fair to each of the four countries.

Meanwhile, David Cameron could not forget to pay tribute to ‘Yes Scotland’ for its strong campaign and during his speech he said to all those who voted for independence: “We heard you”.

Scottish Prime Minister Alex Salmond’s independence dream was broken as 55 per cent of his country voted to stay in the UK and when the politician realised he would have never been the leader of an independent Scotland, he decided to resign.

 “I accept the vote of people and ask Scotland to accept the verdict of the people of Scotland. I believe this is a new, exciting situation, but I also believe in this situation the country would benefit from a new leader”, Mr Salmond has declared this evening.