The Scots did not vote for their independence, but they have shaken the foundations of the British state as a whole. Prime Minister Cameron has announced a comprehensive reform of the kingdom, reports GHN based on DW.
Many Scots appeared sleepy at work, university, or school on Friday. Either they'd been fretting all night in front of the TV or in the pub, or they'd gotten up very early to witness the announcement of the result. At around 5:30 in the morning it was clear that Scotland will not be independent. While 55 percent of Scots agreed to remain in the United Kingdom, 45 percent voted in favor of the nationalists, who wanted to reestablish Scotland as an independent state after 307 years. One aged lady should be especially happy. The Queen, sources from the royal palace reported, also spent most of the night watching TV- at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The monarch has not yet commented publicly, but her prime minister did - in London, shortly after 7 am.
Prime Minister David Cameron spoke with relief in front of his official residence on Downing Street, saying that his "beloved United Kingdom" had not been broken up on this historic night. He expressed respect for the Scots on their fair vote and campaign, but then went on the offensive, announcing a reform of the whole state of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. "We now have a chance - a great opportunity - to change the way the British people are governed, and change it for the better," he said. "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." During the election campaign, the Prime Minister made last-minute promises of autonomy to the Scots in order to weaken the growing appeal of the separatists.