: With 31 of the 32 council areas in Scotland now declared, No leads on 55% with Yes on 45%
Salmond takes to the skies after pulling the plug on a planned appearance at his local count in Aberdeenshire Clackmannanshire – rated most likely to vote Yes by Credit Suisse – rejected independence in first result of the night Yes wins in Dundee, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire, but is trailling by 200,000 votes Allegations of 10 electoral fraud cases in Glasgow as voters ‘turn up to polling station to find they had already voted’
Thousands of Yes campaigners in Glasgow’s George Square waving Saltires and burning flares – but some arrested David Cameron addressed the nation this morning vowing to introduce ‘English votes for English laws’ The Queen is following events ‘closely’ and will make a statement today in response to the public’s decision
A former St Helens councillor was charged with assault as she campaigned against Scottish independence in Glasgow
Tennis champion Andy Murray rows back from pro-independence tweet, insisting he will still play for Team GB
By MATT CHORLEY, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE
Alex Salmond today admitted defeat in his battle for Scottish independence, as almost 2million people voted to remain in the United Kingdom.
On the worst day of his political life, the First Minister tried to put a brave face on the electorate’s crushing verdict, claiming that it showed only that a majority had decided ‘at this stage’ not to become an independent country.
But with all but one council area declared, No had secured 55 per cent of the vote, a 10-point lead which will trigger speculation about whether Mr Salmond can survive as leader of the Scottish Nationalists.
The Queen has been ‘closely’ monitoring the outcome of the vote, and is expected to issue a public statement welcoming the survival of the 307-year Union later today.
David Cameron also celebrated the result, and in a dramatic move announced plans to use the offer of more powers to Scotland to introduce ‘English votes for English laws’, strengthening the Tory party’s grip on Westminster.
The pound rose sharply and the FTSE 100 Index is expected to follow suit in a relief rally for markets after Scotland’s rejection of independence.
Courtesy:DailyMail
