• The United Kingdom will need
to reform its relationship with the Scots following
the political unrest that led to the referendum
Linet Perera
Negrin
Scotland will not become an
independent country because that is what the
majority wanted. However, the United Kingdom will
need to reform its relationship with the Scots
following the political unrest that led to the
referendum, analysts have claimed.
"Better Together" the No campaign slogan. Photo: La Nación
The "No" vote won in Scotland. After
307 years of union and following polls suggesting
victory for Scottish sovereignty, in the end 55.3%
of the electorate decided to continue as part of the
United Kingdom.
With a lead of 10%, those in favor
of the union won with 55.3% against 44% in favor of
independence. 1,914,000 of those who went to the
polls voted "No", while 1,539,000 supported the "Yes"
vote.
Although the British government is celebrating the victory, Edinburgh awaits the concessions promised, should the "No" campaign win.
Whilst the Scottish National Party
(SNP)’s request for more tax-raising powers was
denied by the central government in 2012, this will
now have to be taken into account in the process
which is already underway, according to a pledge
signed by the three main political parties.
The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Labour opposition all promised greater powers, resources and more autonomy for Scotland, which will impact not only in other parts of Britain, but throughout Europe.
In response to the results of the referendum, British Prime Minister David Cameron promised that Scotland will have increased rights as part of the promises made by his government on the eve of the vote.
Cameron said that implementation of
the promises set out in terms of taxation, spending
and social welfare will advance over the coming
months.
He also pledged to push reforms for
the rest of the UK and stated that he had instructed
William Hague, former Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs, to draw up plans for
decentralization. The changes will be reflected in
bills that should be ready by January 2015.
The British Prime Minister also
referred to England, Wales and Northern Ireland and
said the population of these territories should have
more say in their internal affairs.
If local authorities are given more
powers, the Scots will have more autonomy in regards
to tax collection, expenditure budgets and social
services.
Similarly, during the campaign
leading up to the referendum, Cameron promised to
maintain the so-called Barnett Formula of
distribution for Scotland, a system of distribution
of public spending designed by the former Minister
of Economy, Joel Barnett, in the 1970s.
Scots will therefore continue under
this formula which, even with a smaller population,
ensures they receive sufficient resources to run
their public services, granting funds per capita 19%
higher than in England.
Another controversial topic was the
British National Health Service or NHS.
Supporters of independence assured
that only separation would protect the health
service from the cuts imposed by London. Meanwhile,
the leaders of the Conservative, Liberal Democrat
and Labour parties included a categorical promise
that the last word on the money spent in the
National Health Service in Scotland would be for the
Scottish Parliament.
On the other hand, by preserving the
union, London maintains its benefits in terms of the
oil and natural gas reserves in the North Sea and
other natural resources on the Scottish mainland.
Similarly, the British government
will continue to recive taxes from the production of
whiskey, wool, silk and fishing from the rich
Scottish waters. In addition, the British military
bases remain in Scotland.
Another detail is that the Royal
Bank of Scotland, like other financial institutions
that had announced plans to move their headquarters
to England in case of a separatist victory,
announced that it would not be making any changes to
its structure.
In this context, and after learning
the results, the price of the pound rose on the
Foreign Echange Market.
In the political sphere, Scottish
Minister Alexander Salmond, the main champion for
independence, announced his resignation after the
defeat.
October 03, 2014
