Scottish independence: First referendum results declared

BBC.com ^ | 9/18/14 | ?

[blueyon]

The first results are coming in for the referendum to decide whether Scotland should stay in the UK or become an independent country.

[goldstategop]

They misread the voters.

I think the “Yes” side became overconfident and thought they had it locked up.

The “No” side took nothing for granted and ran an effective campaign right up to the last day before the referendum.

[TomGuy]

NO	Votes 1,305,388 -	54.21%
YES	Votes 1,102,788 -	45.79%
TARGET TO WIN	Votes 1,822,942 -	N/A%
After 24 of 32 counts

[DoughtyOne]

Okay, so the big city did come closer than the smaller ones.

That dynamic plays out in California all the time. Things are looking decent and then the big city vote comes in and things go upside down.

Thanks for the mention.

[clintonh8r]

He had his fingers crossed behind his back.

[goldstategop]

“No” has it.

I was right all along and it wasn’t close.

This is one is over.

[DoughtyOne]

Okay. I thought maybe the press there was operating as ours does here, pushing their agenda rather than just reporting.

Sounds as if they may have been doing an honest job of reporting.

[dglang]

Being of English, Irish, Scottish ancestry I have no specific choice in this election based on nationality. I am however firmly in the NO category based on my belief that it is better for the world for Scotland to remain a part of the UK for their as well as England’s benefit.

Since England is a solid ally of the U.S. it is better for all if they remain strong which will assist them in fighting any Islamic effort to conquer first Scotland and
after establishing a foothold there concentrate on Britain itself.

[uglybiker]

Socialists always seem to get trounced at the ballot box.

Except for here in the U.S.

[11th_VA]

"And dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one cahnce, to come back here as young men and tell our enemies that they may take our lives but they will never take our freedom

oh never mind ...

[Talisker]

I think it’s because they are TOO young. Before they leave home, they will want to keep the “home” intact. Only after leaving home at 18+ when they’ve been on their own awhile do they want “independence.” That’s why I think making the vote that young was a setup in order to get more “no” votes. Pretty sneaky setup, too.

[NKP_Vet]

You’re right considering all of England’s nukes are in Scotland.

[The KG9 Kid]

Alex Salmond ought to be walking around tomorrow covered in tomato juice, egg yolks, and banana creme pie if there was any justice in Scotland.

Soon as he sticks his head out, *pow*, right in the face with a rotten tomato.

I hope the Queen summons his ass to the Tower.

[goldstategop]

I keep thinking of the October 5, 1960 South African referendum on whether to declare the country a republic:

Choice Votes %
For 850,458 52.29
Against 775,878 47.71
Invalid/blank votes 7,904 –
Total 1,634,240 100
Registered voters/turnout 1,800,426 90.77
Source: Direct Democracy
By province
Province For Against Invalid/
blank Total Registered
voters Turnout
Votes % Votes %
Cape Province 271,418 50.15 269,784 49.85 2,881 544,083 591,298 92.02
Natal 42,299 23.78 135,598 76.22 688 178,585 193,103 92.48
Orange Free State 110,171 76.72 33,438 23.28 798 144,407 160,843 89.78
South-West Africa 19,938 62.39 12,017 37.61 280 32,235 37,135 86.80
Transvaal 406,632 55.58 325,041 44.42 3,257 734,930 818,047 89.84

It passed 53-47 and it passed in every province except Natal.

[Jet Jaguar]

LOL!

[11th_VA]

I’ll never get use that word again ;)

[norton]

Looks like the NO's have it

Big win for Scotland,
More concessions from London without all the unpleasant effort of actually kicking off a mini-nation and then trying to run the place by yourself.

[3boysdad]

Uhmmmmm... I think you just described 70% of all Americans. I know my ancestry has English, check, Irish (oh boy), check, Scottish (meh), somewhat, German, then Choctaw. Let the UK implode. All the tough bastards from those places came here a long time ago. We call them Americans. I’m American. Apparently, one of the last.

[hoagy62]

BREAKING: BBC CALLS IT FOR THE ‘NO’.

Just 6 councils to go. Not going to be possible for the ‘Yes’ to overcome.

[JRandomFreeper]

Only about 30% of the population of the American colonies wanted independence.

We damn sure got it, too.

/johnny

[luvie]

I’m surprised. I thought they might just do it this time!