Some local images capturing a momentous day. If you’d like to add some more to the collection please send them to northedinnews@gmail.com
Referendum Day North Edinburgh
Tag: referendum
Salmond to step down
First Minister Alex Salmond is to step down following defeat for the Yes Scotland campaign in the independence referendum.
Mr Salmond told party members: “I have has announced my intention to stand down as SNP Leader at the Party’s Annual Conference in November and then as First Minister when the SNP have elected the next Leader following a membership ballot. My statement to the nation, made a few moments ago at Bute House, is as follows:
“I am immensely proud of the campaign which Yes Scotland fought and of the 1.6 million voters who rallied to that cause by backing an independent Scotland.
“I am also proud of the 85 per cent turnout in the referendum and the remarkable response of all of the people of Scotland who participated in this great constitutional debate and the manner in which they conducted themselves.
“We now have the opportunity to hold Westminster’s feet to the fire on the “vow” that they have made to devolve further meaningful power to Scotland. This places Scotland in a very strong position.
“I spoke to the Prime Minister today and, although he reiterated his intention to proceed as he has outlined, he would not commit to a second reading vote by 27th March on a Scotland Bill. That was a clear promise laid out by Gordon Brown during the campaign. The Prime Minister says such a vote would be meaningless. I suspect he cannot guarantee the support of his party.
“But today the point is this. The real guardians of progress are not the politicians at Westminster, or even at Holyrood, but the energised activism of tens of thousands of people who I predict will refuse meekly to go back into the political shadows.
“For me right now , therefore there is a decision as to who is best placed to lead this process forward politically.
“I believe that in this new exciting situation, redolent with possibility, Party, Parliament and country would benefit from new leadership.
“Therefore I have told the National Secretary of the SNP that I will not accept nomination to be a candidate for leader at the Annual Conference in Perth on 13th-15th November.
“After the membership ballot I will stand down as First Minister to allow the new leader to be elected by due Parliamentary process.
“Until then I will continue to serve as First Minister. After that I will continue to offer to serve as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeenshire East.
“It has been the privilege of my life to serve Scotland as First Minister. But as I said often during the referendum campaign this is not about me or the SNP. It is much more important than that.
“The position is this. We lost the referendum vote but can still carry the political initiative. More importantly Scotland can still emerge as the real winner.”
Leaders comment on referendum result
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron have commented on this morning’s referendum result. HM Queen Elizabeth II, Great Britain’s head of state, has also issued a message of support and Edinburgh’s council leader Andrew Burns gave the city’s perspective.
In a statement from Balmoral, HM The Queen said: “After many months of discussion, debate, and careful thought, we now know the outcome of the Referendum, and it is a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect.
“For many in Scotland and elsewhere today, there will be strong feelings and contrasting emotions – among family, friends and neighbours. That, of course, is the nature of the robust democratic tradition we enjoy in this country. But I have no doubt that these emotions will be tempered by an understanding of the feelings of others.
“Now, as we move forward, we should remember that despite the range of views that have been expressed, we have in common an enduring love of Scotland, which is one of the things that helps to unite us all. Knowing the people of Scotland as I do, I have no doubt that Scots, like others throughout the United Kingdom, are able to express strongly-held opinions before coming together again in a spirit of mutual respect and support, to work constructively for the future of Scotland and indeed all parts of this country.
“My family and I will do all we can to help and support you in this important task.”
Earlier today, speaking at Dynamic Earth before the final count had been declared, First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Thank you Scotland for 1.6 million votes for Scottish independence. Our friends in the Highlands of Scotland are still to speak, so the final results aren’t in but we know that there is going to be a majority for the No campaign.
“It’s important to say that our referendum was an agreed and consented process and Scotland has by majority decided 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 in accepting the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland.
“But I think all of us in this campaign say that that 45 per cent, that 1.6 million votes, is a substantial vote for Scottish independence and the future of this country. Let us say something which I hope that unites all campaigns and all Scots. I think the process by which we have made our decision as a nation reflects enormous credit upon Scotland.
“A turnout of 86 per cent is one of the highest in the democratic world for any election or any referendum in history. This has been a triumph for the democratic process and for participation in politics.
“For example, the initiative by which 16 and 17 year olds were able to vote has proved to be a resounding success. I suspect that no one will ever again dispute their right and ability to participate fully and responsibly in democratic elections.
“So we now face the consequences of Scotland’s democratic decision. Firstly, Clause 30 of the Edinburgh Agreement is now in operation. On behalf of the Scottish Government I accept the results and I pledge to work constructively in the interest of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
“Secondly, the unionist parties made vows late in the campaign to devolve more powers to Scotland. Scotland will expect these to be honoured in rapid course. Just as a reminder, we have been promised a second reading of a Scotland Bill by the 27th of March next year and not just the 1.6 million Scots who voted for independence will demand that that timetable is followed but all Scots who participated in this referendum will demand that that timetable is followed.
“I’ll be speaking to the Prime Minister shortly after this statement but can I return thirdly to the empowerment of so many Scots entering the political process for the very first time. It is something that is so valuable it has to be cherished, preserved and built upon.
“I’ve said before many times in this campaign that the most moving things I saw was the queue of people in Dundee two or three weeks ago patiently waiting to register to vote. Most of them for the first time ever deciding to participate in the democratic process. Today in Inverurie I met a 61 year old lady just coming out of the polling station who had never voted before in her life. I met a soldier, a former soldier, who hadn’t voted since he left the army some 24 years ago. And these people were inspired to enter democratic politics by the thought that they could make a difference in building something better for the country.
“These are people who all of us as we campaigned have met and been inspired by. And all of us are a part of all of that experience that we have encountered. Whatever else we can say about this referendum campaign, we have touched sections of the community who’ve never before been touched by politics. These sections of the community have touched us and touched the political process. I don’t think that will ever be allowed to go back to business as usual in politics again.
“So friends, sometimes it’s best to reflect where we are on a journey. 45 per cent, 1.6 million of our fellow citizens voting for independence, I don’t think that any of us whenever we entered politics would have thought such a thing to be either credible or possible.
“Today of all days as we bring Scotland together let us not dwell on the distance we have fallen short. Let us dwell on the distance we have travelled and have confidence that the movement is so broad in Scotland that it will take this nation forward and we shall go forward as one nation. Thank you very much.”
“The people of Scotland have spoken” said Prime Minister David Cameron following the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum.
Mr Cameron said: “The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result. They have kept our country of 4 nations together. Like millions of other people, I am delighted. As I said during the campaign, it would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end.
“And I know that sentiment was shared by people, not just across our country, but also around the world because of what we’ve achieved together in the past and what we can do together in the future.
“So now it is time for our United Kingdom to come together, and to move forward. A vital part of that will be a balanced settlement – fair to people in Scotland and importantly to everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as well.
“Let us first remember why we had this debate – and why it was right to do so.
“The Scottish National Party (SNP) was elected in Scotland in 2011 and promised a referendum on independence. We could have blocked that; we could have put it off, but just as with other big issues, it was right to take – not duck – the big decision.
“I am a passionate believer in our United Kingdom – I wanted more than anything for our United Kingdom to stay together.
But I am also a democrat. And it was right that we respected the SNP’s majority in Holyrood and gave the Scottish people their right to have their say.
“Let us also remember why it was right to ask the definitive question, Yes or No. Because now the debate has been settled for a generation or as Alex Salmond has said, perhaps for a lifetime.
“So there can be no disputes, no re-runs – we have heard the settled will of the Scottish people.
Scotland voted for a stronger Scottish Parliament backed by the strength and security of the United Kingdom and I want to congratulate the No campaign for that – for showing people that our nations really are better together.
I also want to pay tribute to Yes Scotland for a well-fought campaign and to say to all those who did vote for independence: “we hear you”.
We now have a chance – a great opportunity – to change the way the British people are governed, and change it for the better.
Political leaders on all sides of the debate now bear a heavy responsibility to come together and work constructively to advance the interests of people in Scotland, as well as those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, for each and every citizen of our United Kingdom.
To those in Scotland sceptical of the constitutional promises made, let me say this we have delivered on devolution under this government, and we will do so again in the next Parliament.
The 3 pro-union parties have made commitments, clear commitments, on further powers for the Scottish Parliament. We will ensure that they are honoured in full.
And I can announce today that Lord Smith of Kelvin – who so successfully led Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games – has agreed to oversee the process to take forward the devolution commitments, with powers over tax, spending and welfare all agreed by November and draft legislation published by January.
Just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, so it follows that the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs. The rights of these voters need to be respected, preserved and enhanced as well.
It is absolutely right that a new and fair settlement for Scotland should be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of our United Kingdom. In Wales, there are proposals to give the Welsh government and Assembly more powers. And I want Wales to be at the heart of the debate on how to make our United Kingdom work for all our nations. In Northern Ireland, we must work to ensure that the devolved institutions function effectively.
I have long believed that a crucial part missing from this national discussion is England. We have heard the voice of Scotland – and now the millions of voices of England must also be heard. The question of English votes for English laws – the so-called West Lothian question – requires a decisive answer.
So, just as Scotland will vote separately in the 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 issues and all this must take place in tandem with, and at the same pace as, the settlement for Scotland.
I hope that is going to take place on a cross-party basis. I have asked William Hague to draw up these plans. We will set up a Cabinet Committee right away and proposals will also be ready to the same timetable. I hope the Labour Party and other parties will contribute.
It is also important we have wider civic engagement about to improve governance in our United Kingdom, including how to empower our great cities. And we will say more about this in the coming days.
“This referendum has been hard fought. It has stirred strong passions. It has electrified politics in Scotland, and caught the imagination of people across the whole of our United Kingdom.
“It will be remembered as a powerful demonstration of the strength and vitality of our ancient democracy. Record numbers registered to vote and record numbers cast their vote. We can all be proud of that. It has reminded us how fortunate we are that we are able to settle these vital issues at the ballot box, peacefully and calmly.
“Now we must look forward, and turn this into the moment when everyone – whichever way they voted – comes together to build that better, brighter future for our entire United Kingdom.”
City of Edinburgh Council leader Councillor Andrew Burns said:
“The dust is still settling following the outcome of the Scottish Independence Referendum, announced earlier today at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston.
“The media attention on Scotland, and on Edinburgh in particular, has been unparalleled and I am delighted that, as ever, our city shone. Credit is due to the many hundreds of council, and other, staff who played their part in making this possible – both at Ingliston and elsewhere across the city.
“Of course, whatever the result, Edinburgh was still going to remain Scotland’s capital and a wonderful place to live and work – and, crucially, to do business.
“We are in the unique position here in that we have a Labour-SNP coalition running the city – something that will continue at least until the next local council elections in 2017.
“We have successfully kept constitutional debate out of the Chambers for the first half of our term and there is absolutely no reason at all why that can’t continue.
“I can assure you that our focus will remain on running the city in the fairest and most efficient way possible and on keeping to the pledges set out in our Contract with the Capital two-and-a-half years ago.”
What’s happens next?
Following yesterday’s referendum Scotland will remain as part of the United Kingdom, with its own Parliament. The UK and Scottish governments will continue to make the changes to the powers of the Scottish Parliament that were agreed in the Scotland Act 2012.
Prime Minister David Cameron today announced that Lord Smith of Kelvin has agreed to oversee the process to take forward the devolution commitments on further powers for the Scottish Parliament by the three pro-union parties.
What are the next powers to be devolved?
As laid out in the Scotland Act 2012, further devolution of financial powers to the Scottish Parliament will come into effect from April 2015 and April 2016. The next powers to be devolved are:
1. Stamp duty land tax and landfill tax
From April 2015, Scottish government legislation will replace stamp duty land tax and landfill tax in Scotland with the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and Scottish Landfill Tax Revenue. Scotland will become responsible for the collection of the new taxes.
2. Extending borrowing powers
From April 2015, current borrowing powers of up to £500 million will be extended and a new Scottish cash reserve will be created to help manage the new tax receipts.
3. New capital borrowing power
From April 2015, there will be a new £2.2 billion capital borrowing power for the Scottish Parliament, with a limited version of the power in place from April 2013 to allow the Scottish government to fund £100 million of pre-payments for the Forth Road Crossing.
4. Scottish rate of income tax
A new Scottish rate of income tax will come into force in April 2016. This means the Scottish Parliament will set a new Scottish rate – with no upper or lower limit – which will apply equally to all of the reduced main UK income tax rates.
And the extra powers promised by the Westminster leaders in last week’s ‘vow’? Discussions are under way …
The morning after the night before …
Grey, dreich morning and this YES Scotland supporter is having a real struggle to wash off yesterday’s acrylic paint job. Ach, it never rain’s but it pours …
Lucky white heather, anyone?
Scotland says No Thanks
The people of Scotland have voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. Voters came out in unprecedented numbers to have their say on independence – and an emphatic majority decided that separation is a step too far.
By 6.15am, with 31 of 32 counts declared, Better Together has 1,914,187 votes while Yes Scotland has 1,539,920 – an unassailable lead.
Edinburgh’s result was declared just before 6am (picture above), and despite predictions that the result would be close, a clear majority of the capital’s citizens voted to remain part of the union. Edinburgh voted No: 194, 638 (60.19%), Yes: 123,927 (39.81%).
Many people believed that the Better Together campaign was too negative and handed the initiative to a vibrant Yes Scotland bandwagon, but voters agreed with the unionist parties that ‘it’s not worth the risk’.
First Minister Alex Salmond will make a statement later this morning, but Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC of a “real sense of disappointment that we have fallen narrowly short of securing a ‘Yes’ vote”.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I’ve spoken to Alistair Darling (pictured above) and congratulated him on a well-fought campaign.” He too is expected to make a further statement this morning.
While the result will be a bitter disappointment for almost half of the nation, there are positives to be taken from the campaign, whatever side of the debate you’re on. All across the country people have engaged in politics once again. This was the campaign where the people took democracy back.
And now, at the end of a gruelling thirty-month campaign that has split the country, it’s time to build bridges. One of the few things on which politicians of both sides agree is that politics has changed forever, and it’s to be hoped that all of the energy, positivity and enthusiasm that was poured into the campaign can be harnessed for the collective good of our nation. There’s an awful lot of work to be done.
Yes, the people have spoken – and this time the politicians really had better listen.
Capital all set for historic referendum
We’re nearly there. After months of debate and discussion, claim and counterclaim, after tens of thousands of leaflets, millions of words in the press and on social media sites, it’s almost time. The talking’s just about over, the politicians have had their say – tomorrow it’s down to you and me. Decision day …
The world’s eyes will be on Edinburgh tomorrow, and Scotland’s capital is ready to take centre stage and play a leading role on a historic day …
With less than a day left until the Scottish Independence Referendum, Edinburgh is geared up for its role in the historic poll.
Ballot boxes are being collected for delivery to polling places, staff trained and verification of postal votes has begun ahead of the count.
89.6% of postal voters have already cast their vote, with a total of 377,413 people registered to take part in the Referendum on Thursday.
And citizens are being asked to make their own preparations for the day to ensure they don’t miss out.
Sue Bruce, Counting Officer for Edinburgh and Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “After months of anticipation, the Referendum is finally upon us, and hundreds of thousands of people across the city are about to cast their vote.
“I am really pleased with the high rate of registration, which demonstrates the level of interest in the debate. We have a record number of registered voters in Edinburgh for this Referendum and therefore I would encourage visitors to leave plenty of time to visit their local polling station and to mark an X in the box of their choice when filling out their ballot papers.”
Polling places will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 18 September, though the public are being advised to avoid busy periods, expected to be before and after normal working hours. Where possible, voters are encouraged to visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
Information on local polling places can be found on the polling card delivered to homes or on the Council website.
Postal voters who have not yet returned their ballot paper by post will still be able to hand it in at Waverley Court or City Chambers receptions or at an Edinburgh polling place on Thursday.
Those planning to take part in the Referendum are also being advised to take great care when filling out their ballot paper, by marking a single X next to their choice. Additional comments, marks or mistakes can result in a vote not being counted.
Anyone who is registered to vote but, due to unforeseen circumstances, is unable to make it to a polling station, may need an emergency proxy vote, which can be applied for on the Lothian Valuation Joint Board’s website.
Once your vote has been cast
All votes are secure and accounted for so that the final result can be trusted. Every ballot paper, whether used, unused or spoilt, is accounted for and treated as highly sensitive and confidential.
Votes will be counted as soon as possible after the close of the poll at 10pm. Separate counts will be held by each local authority in Scotland with 32 local totals leading to one overall national result.
Full details of vote security and counting are available on the Council website.
Westminster pledges more powers if Scotland says NO
Unionists are ‘Desperate’, says Yes Scotland
The leaders of the three main Westminster parties have signed a “vow” for more powers for Scotland if it rejects independence. David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have signed the letter which appears on the front page of today’s Daily Record. However Yes Scotland leaders have dismissed the move and say that only a vote for independence on Thursday can secure for Scotland the powers it needs to create jobs, save the health service and build a better society.
The Westminster leaders’ pledge promises ‘extensive new powers” for the Scottish Parliament’ delivered by the process and to the timetable agreed’ by the three parties – ‘devo max’ by any other name.
Last week former prime minister Gordon Brown – who has taken an increasingly prominent role in the Better Together campaign – set out his proposed schedule for new powers to be transferred to Holyrood. He said three guarantees in particular must be locked in: to guarantee new powers to the Scottish Parliament, to guarantee fairness to Scotland and to guarantee the power to spend more on the NHS if that is the wish of Scottish people.
The unionist party leaders in Scotland then jointly endorsed the timetable for the new transfer of powers from Westminster to Holyrood, and this was followed by today’s Cameron, Clegg and Miliband ‘vow’ .
In their ‘Promise to Scotland’ letter, the party leaders say they agree that “the UK exists to ensure opportunity and security for all by sharing our resources equitably across all four nations”.
The joint letter also states: “And because of the continuation of the Barnett allocation for resources and the powers of the Scottish Parliament to raise revenue, we can state categorically that the final say on how much is spent on the NHS will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.”
However independence supporters have dismissed the Westminster leaders’ ‘promise to Scotland’ as ‘desperate’.
Alex Salmond said he did not believe the letter would persuade the people of Scotland to reject independence, and a Yes Scotland spokesman said: “It’s clear that Project Panic is willing to say anything in the last few days of the campaign to try to halt the Yes momentum – anything except what new powers, if any, they might be willing to offer.
“The reality is that the only way to guarantee Scotland gets all the powers we need to create jobs and protect our NHS is with a Yes vote on Thursday – so that we can use our enormous wealth to create a better and fairer country.”
It’s more than likely that there will be yet more twists and turns, one last throw of the dice, as Thursday approaches. The latest Panelbase poll shows Better Together on 47% , Yes Scotland on 46% and – crucially – 7% undecided. It really is down to the wire.
Opponents must put differences aside to tackle poverty
Whatever the result of Thursday’s vote, Scotland will still have deep social problems to address and campaigners are urging both sides in the referendum debate to unite to tackle poverty.
As the referendum campaign enters its final few days the Poverty Alliance has called on all sides to maintain the passion and commitment that has been shown through the campaign and to turn it to finding lasting solutions to poverty and inequality in Scotland.
Throughout the referendum campaign issues of poverty and social justice have been central to the debates. Whether on issues of food poverty, low pay, unemployment or child poverty, all sides have stated that they are committed to making real change to create a more socially just Scotland.
On 19 September politicians and activists from both campaigns must begin to find ways of working together to bring people together and tackle poverty.
The referendum has shown that not only is there an appetite for social change, but that more people than ever want their voices to be heard. With more than 100,000 people registering to vote in the last month alone, we need to find ways to ensure that the democratic impulse that many people have experienced for the first time is sustained and turned into genuine grassroots democratic politics, regardless of the outcome of the referendum.
Whatever changes over the coming months and years we are calling now for all political leaders to commit to ensuring that the voices of those who are living in poverty, those who have been the subject of so much debate during the campaign, are genuinely involved and actively shape the new Scotland that will emerge.
A little over three weeks after the referendum the Poverty Alliance will be coordinating Challenge Poverty Week, which will take place from the 12 -18 October.
This will be a week of debates and action designed to show what has been done to tackle poverty. It will be one of the first opportunities after the referendum for campaigners to come together to show what they intend to do to address poverty now. We hope campaigners from both sides will get involved in Challenge Poverty Week and show the same enthusiasm for tackling poverty as they have for our constitutional future.
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “This is an exciting time in Scottish politics and many people will consider the referendum to be the most important election of their lives.
“It is fantastic to see so many people registered to vote and I hope turnout will be high on the day.
“Poverty and social justice has been at the centre of the debate on independence and it been heartening to see so much debate about the type of Scotland we want to live.
“In 2012-13, 16 per cent of people in Scotland were living in poverty, more than 800,000. People on both sides of the debate have agreed that this is unacceptable and that we need to re-think our approach to tackling the problem, whether it is low benefit levels, unemployment or low pay. What the campaigns disagree on is how we best achieve this.
“It has become increasingly clear that the results will be close and it is important that people on both sides of the debate believe their voices will be heard regardless of the result. In particular we must ensure that the voices of those who are rarely heard, those people living in poverty, are taken seriously after the result of the referendum is known.
“Both campaigns must be prepared to set aside their differences and work together for a better Scotland, one where the blight of poverty is effectively tackled.”
Feeling sheepish about the referendum!
Voters ‘flock’ to see referendum artwork!
With Thursday’s independence vote the only topic of conversation all around the country, Leith-based artist Elaine Forrest has created a timely ‘discussion piece’ – a referendum sheep’s skull!
The sculpture is studded with 20,5000 Swarovski crystals and features both a Saltire and Union Flag. The price? £3500 – a real baa-rgain!
The artwork was commissioned by George Pirie Antiques for a referendum window at their Howe Street showroom.
George Pirie said: “It only went up last week but I’ve already had lots of customers come in to say how much they like it. It’s not meant to be political at all – it’s about history and celebrating an event.”
The skull, alongside other referendum-themed pieces, will be on display until this Friday – the day we’ll find out where Scotland’s future lies.
So hurry – ewe don’t want to miss it!
Hospitalised? You can still vote …
If you or someone you know will be in hospital unexpectedly on 18 September and will be unable to vote in person, they will be able to arrange a proxy vote by completing a straightforward form. The guidance and form can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website at:
www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register_to_vote/apply_to_vote_by_proxy.aspx