Tag: referendum

Cameron to go following referendum defeat

Prime Minister is first political casualty of EU Referendum result

10 Downing Street

Prime Minister David Cameron made a statement in Downing Street following the outcome of the referendum for the UK to leave the European Union:

The country has just taken part in a giant democratic exercise – perhaps the biggest in our history. Over 33 million people – from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar – have all had their say.

We should be proud of the fact that in these islands we trust the people with these big decisions.

We not only have a parliamentary democracy, but on questions about the arrangements for how we are governed, there are times when it is right to ask the people themselves, and that is what we have done.

The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the campaign on my side of the argument, including all those who put aside party differences to speak in what they believed was the national interest.

And let me congratulate all those who took part in the Leave campaign – for the spirited and passionate case that they made.

The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered. It was not a decision that was taken lightly, not least because so many things were said by so many different organisations about the significance of this decision.

So there can be no doubt about the result.

Across the world people have been watching the choice that Britain has made. I would reassure those markets and investors that Britain’s economy is fundamentally strong.

And I would also reassure Brits living in European countries, and European citizens living here, that there will be no immediate changes in your circumstances. There will be no initial change in the way our people can travel, in the way our goods can move or the way our services can be sold.

We must now prepare for a negotiation with the European Union. This will need to involve the full engagement of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments to ensure that the interests of all parts of our United Kingdom are protected and advanced.

But above all this will require strong, determined and committed leadership.

I am very proud and very honoured to have been Prime Minister of this country for 6 years.

I believe we have made great steps, with more people in work than ever before in our history, with reforms to welfare and education, increasing people’s life chances, building a bigger and stronger society, keeping our promises to the poorest people in the world, and enabling those who love each other to get married whatever their sexuality.

But above all restoring Britain’s economic strength, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped to make that happen.

I have also always believed that we have to confront big decisions – not duck them.

That’s why we delivered the first coalition government in 70 years to bring our economy back from the brink. It’s why we delivered a fair, legal and decisive referendum in Scotland. And why I made the pledge to renegotiate Britain’s position in the European Union and hold a referendum on our membership, and have carried those things out.

I fought this campaign in the only way I know how – which is to say directly and passionately what I think and feel – head, heart and soul.

I held nothing back.

I was absolutely clear about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union, and I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone – not the future of any single politician, including myself.

But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path, and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction.

I will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.

This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but I do believe it is in the national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required.

There is no need for a precise timetable today, but in my view we should aim to have a new Prime Minister in place by the start of the Conservative party conference in October.

Delivering stability will be important and I will continue in post as Prime Minister with my Cabinet for the next 3 months. The Cabinet will meet on Monday.

The Governor of the Bank of England is making a statement about the steps that the Bank and the Treasury are taking to reassure financial markets. We will also continue taking forward the important legislation that we set before Parliament in the Queen’s Speech. And I have spoken to Her Majesty the Queen this morning to advise her of the steps that I am taking.

A negotiation with the European Union will need to begin under a new Prime Minister, and I think it is right that this new Prime Minister takes the decision about when to trigger Article 50 and start the formal and legal process of leaving the EU.

I will attend the European Council next week to explain the decision the British people have taken and my own decision.

The British people have made a choice. That not only needs to be respected – but those on the losing side of the argument, myself included, should help to make it work.

Britain is a special country.

We have so many great advantages.

A parliamentary democracy where we resolve great issues about our future through peaceful debate.

A great trading nation, with our science and arts, our engineering and our creativity respected the world over.

And while we are not perfect, I do believe we can be a model of a multi-racial, multi-faith democracy, where people can come and make a contribution and rise to the very highest that their talent allows.

Although leaving Europe was not the path I recommended, I am the first to praise our incredible strengths.

I have said before that Britain can survive outside the European Union, and indeed that we could find a way.

Now the decision has been made to leave, we need to find the best way.

And I will do everything I can to help.

I love this country – and I feel honoured to have served it.

And I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed.

 

We’re Leaving: An uncertain new dawn for Britain

Disaster, devastation, division – or wonderful opportunity?

Scotland says Stay but Britain says Leave

dawn

Britons have voted to leave the European Union. With a handful of regions still to declare it became certain at 6am that the Leave campaign has an unassailable lead with 52% of the vote. The nationwide turnout was 72%. Continue reading We’re Leaving: An uncertain new dawn for Britain

European Referendum: It’s Time

yes or no

We’ve watched all the debates, read loads of leaflets and heard all the ‘facts’ – most of them contradictory. We’ve listened to the scores of ‘experts’, only to learn that no-one really knows for sure. But now, all the talking’s over – it’s time to make your decision: Remain or Leave.

The voting process itself is really quite straightforward (see the BBC graphic below). But WHAT  to vote? Well … that’s up to you!

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On Thursday 23 June polling stations across the UK will be open from 7am to 10pm.

Events force temporary closures at Meadowbank

Referendum count and Elton John events mean temporary closure 

elton-john

Meadowbank Sports Centre will be temporarily closed for events taking place from 23 – 25 June. Some areas of Meadowbank will also be closed before and after the events for set up and ‘break-down’. Continue reading Events force temporary closures at Meadowbank

Letter: Crocodile tears over EU exit

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Dear Editor

Tory politicians and others who the UK to leave the EU are extremely vocal about being able to trade as usual after leaving: they know, of course, how many people depend on this trading for their jobs, so seek to assure them.

If this is so, what other reasons do they have for wanting to leave – and more importantly whose interests are they concerned about?

Their main unspoken objective is to abolish all EU regulations dealing with working and social conditions, health and safety regulations and the environment – all of which have been of great benefit to people working in the UK.

On working conditions, for example:

  • A maximum working week of 48 hours
  • A minimum break of 11 hours rest between working days
  • A minimum break of 24 hours from work in seven days, in addition to the daily 11 hours rest
  • Annual leave entitlement of four weeks minimum
  • Night work of eight hours maximum in 24 hours
  • Equal opportunities for women and men
  • Pregnancy, maternity and parental leave
  • Prohibition of discrimination on sex, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation grounds

So what do they object to – and why?

These regulations can always be improved by the UK Government; the same applies to health and safety and environmental reguations and others that have been of great benefit to the people of the UK.

But this is not their intention, of course – quite the reverse! This is why they want to get out, while shedding tears over how much they care!

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

 

 

Europe Referendum date is 23 June

REFERENDUM DATE set for 23 JUNE

Not quite a ‘peace in our time’ moment – but has the Prime Minister secured enough concessions to keep Britain in Europe?

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The Prime Minister made a statement following the meeting of the European Council where he negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU. Continue reading Europe Referendum date is 23 June

Referendum anniversary: Time to move on, says PM

‘More Scots voted to keep our kingdom united than have ever voted for any party in any election in Scottish history’ – Prime Minister David Cameron

Leaving Photos

Speaking one year after the people of Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister today said he is focussed on delivering devolution so that the debate can move on from what powers the Scottish Parliament should have, to how they are used to better the lives of the people of Scotland.

He added that the UK government will shortly table an amendment to the Scotland Bill to put beyond doubt that Holyrood is here to stay.

The Prime Minister said:

One year ago Scotland’s majority spoke.

More Scots voted to keep our kingdom united than have ever voted for any party in any election in Scottish history.

They voted decisively for a powerful Scottish Parliament within a strong and secure United Kingdom. We listened.

So let me be crystal clear: Scottish devolution is woven into the very fabric of our United Kingdom.

We will table an amendment to the Scotland Bill so there is absolutely no doubt: Holyrood is here to stay.

Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and I signed the Edinburgh Agreement which pledged we would all respect the outcome of last year’s momentous vote.

We all agreed – as do the Scottish public – that the independence referendum should be a ‘once in a generation’ or a ‘once in a lifetime’ event.

So now it is time to move on.

Some may want to obsess about separation.

But I am focussed on delivering devolution so that the debate can move on from what powers the Scottish Parliament should have, to how they are used to better the lives of the people of Scotland.

And today, on the anniversary of that historic vote, let me repeat: we are delivering a new, accountable and permanent Scottish Parliament. Holyrood will be one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world.

Are we more progressive or politically blind?

Broughton High School student Ross Cowper-Fraser says it’s now time that sixteen and seventeen year olds get to vote in all elections:

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The referendum may be over, but the question of whether 16 and 17 year olds are to gain the vote in the UK general and Scottish elections continues to loom over the politicians at Westminster and Holyrood.

According to the official count 3.6 million Scots engaged in the vote on 18 September: 100,000 were 16 & 17 year olds voting for the first time

A poll of young voters conducted by Lord Ashcroft found that 71% voted yes.
Since the group was gathered relatively quickly only a modest number was interviewed and this does not show the main view of this age category in its entirety. It does raise a question: are the younger members of the Scottish public more progressive than others, or is it that most do not have enough life experience to make an informed decision?

image002 (1)I discovered this when I was taking pictures on the night of the referendum vote when these three girls were shouted at for looking: “f**ck**g twelve!” Similar comment came from both sides of the debate and struck me as quite bigoted from ‘adults’, yet the media cameras flocked in like hawks towards the three girls! This was either for the abuse or the speck of red white and blue (Three young girls are highlighted within a sea of yes voters at the Scottish Parliament., above).

This was the first time many young Scots have voted, and many sceptics have spoken out on this. Nevertheless it has been well documented that the level of engagement has been of a high standard: I know myself from fellow senior peers in my year and at least three years below in S3 (although they could not vote) have all been engaged in discussion.

Not only do I think our age group far exceeded the participation of the vote from sceptical people, I also think that some young people’s knowledge surpassed the awareness of plenty of adults, from watching Andrew Neil on Daily Politics to discussing the papers in the morning. This may be partly to the use mass of the social media platform: young people gained their information most of the time probably used links, friends and posts to gain knowledge.

Then there were the door to door talks, public meeting and school debates across the country as Scotland prepared for possibly the biggest decision of its people for many years.

This may be all well and good but now, how will the franchise age be lowered?  At the age of 16 you can do things like pay taxes, join the army and get married, but without having any right to vote how the country can be called fully democratic?

I emailed Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian asking what she and her party thought of widening the electorate, and she replied: “After their brilliant contribution to the referendum debate, no-one can seriously argue that 16 and 17 year old’s should not get to vote in all future elections.

“As the debate around more powers for Scotland continues, the Scottish Greens want the rules to be changed in time to allow 16 and 17 years old’s to vote in the Westminster election next year, and certainly for the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections.”

“It has long been Scottish Green Party policy to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year-old voters and we would like to see this happen in time for the UK General Election next May and 2016 Holyrood election.”

At Westminster, the Conservatives do not believe that this group should gain suffrage, and the UK independence party follow the Tories in this belief: funny really when the don’t agree on much more that not giving young the vote! This could work against them in the future: it may give a foundation of disconnection between them and future voters. Parties like Labour, Greens, SNP and the Liberal Democrats may become the main choice: either way, Scotland and especially the UK could change dramatically.

So essentially the youth vote could be a source of political advantage for the future – David Cameron may have to resort to swearing again so he can try and relate to the ‘impressionable youth’!

However less than half of 18 to 24 year olds voted in the last UK general election: this was much lower of the nation’s average voters. And there is nowhere in the UK where there is a huge number of young people centralised within one area, so spread out like this, can young people make much of a difference to the current flows of decision-making? For years youth groups have tried to be heard and get noticed, so it can be said that many do take an interest in politics. And due to recent events the youth voice may become a more important and relevant factor in current affairs.

I also contacted MSP Sarah Boyack to find out Scottish Labour’s position. She responded: “In the final months before the referendum I met young voters on both sides of the campaign who were keen to debate the issues and play their part.

“It was really exciting to see young people keen to engage in politics and it’s important that we do not allow that enthusiasm to disappear. Many young people are already active in our communities and we need to make sure that their skills and knowledge are fed into decision making.

“I believe that the time is right to extend the voting age for all elections to 16 and 17 year old’s and Labour is committed to this step at a UK level too. It is also important that this is backed by an extensive programme of civic education in schools and work to encourage more involvement in initiatives such as the Scottish Youth Parliament.”

So no-one under the age of 18 will vote in next May’s general election, but if you are an optimist then this may change depending on the party elected in 2015. Say Labour achieved this, then the voting age may be lowered for future Westminster elections. Meanwhile in Scotland this looks like a real possibility for the upcoming elections in 2016, as most parties agree to this movement for change.

Westminster may be left behind, swaying from the road to total democracy. Finally will the irony of placing total focus upon the Smith Commission place this matter in the dark? Let’s hope not.

Ross Cowper-Fraser