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Scotland is holding a referendum on whether is should exit the United Kingdom, ending a union with England that has been in place for more than three centuries. Fairfax Media will be live blogging the results of the September 18 vote, the reaction and the fallout.
Please check back starting from 5am (AEST) for live updates.
Edinburgh: Some had tears in their eyes, some gave a sigh of relief, some waved flags and some simply put a cross in a box and crossed their fingers.
Scotland came out en masse on Thursday to vote, in the country's biggest ever democratic moment.
The count was not due to begin until 10pm when polls closed – 7am in Australia – and the result was not expected to be clear until breakfast time, 9 or so hours later.
Read Nick Miller's full report here
Scotland is divided on critical issues about the country's future. We take a look at the positions of the Yes and No camps.
After Scottish tennis player Andy Murray (who lives outside Scotland and so can't vote) tweeted his support for independence early on the morning of the poll, he was abused online, with one Twitter troll saying: "Wish u had been killed at Dunblane, you miserable anti-British hypocritical little git. Your life will be a misery from now on."
Nick Miller reports: read more here
Expect the outcome of the vote to have fallout across Europe.
European leaders have warned that an independent Scotland would have to rejoin the European Union and could face resistance. Spain has been especially vocal, fearing it would further inspire separatists in Catalonia and the Basque Country.
French President Francois Hollande said the vote would be decisive for Europe as well as Britain. "After half a century of building Europe, we risk entering a period of deconstruction," he said on Thursday.
Those in favour say such fears are overblown. They see a bright future for an independent Scotland in Europe, a fairer society and good defence and economic cooperation with London.
British politicians, banks and businessmen have closed ranks to warn of economic hardship, job losses and investment flight should Scots decide to go it alone. Defence would also be a big question - Britain's submarine-borne nuclear arsenal, part of NATO's defences - is based in Scotland's Firth of Clyde.
The United States has made clear it wants the United Kingdom, its main ally in Europe, to remain together.
"The UK is an extraordinary partner for America and a force for good in an unstable world. I hope it remains strong, robust and united," US President Barack Obama said.
From Nick Miller in Edinburgh: Apparently no one has commissioned exit polls, the traditional early fodder of election nights, so it will be hours yet before results start trickling in and we get the first hints of the result - from the small outer districts first, and the big cities last (Friday afternoon Australian time).
The Yes campaign is tweeting stories of people across the country who have had last minute changes of heart and marked 'Yes' instead of their planned 'No' on their ballots.
But the campaign needs tens of thousands of such people if they are to overcome the projected deficit of the latest polls.
Edinburgh tonight has a feel a little like Grand Final eve. After a clammy, foggy day it's a mild, pleasant autumn evening. The pubs are alive, excited groups of young people are out and about, draped in flags, waving flags, wearing kilts.
Outside a church on the Royal Mile a group of old men hold up signs saying John 3:7. Cryptic. It's a reference to the Bible verse "you must be born again".
There is a surprisingly large Spanish contingent here, waving Catalonian flags.
Here is one of those 'Yes' campaign retweets.
My sister started off as a complete http://t.co/T8E6DJVo1D she voted #yes she wanted me to tell you all as she isn't on twitter. #indyref — Carol (@Crafty_Goddess) September 18, 2014
And another from a Scottish voter expressing their feelings about independence.
My 'No Camp' neighbour put up my big YES sign after the wind blew it down today - what a lovely gesture & shows how civilised is #indyref — yvonneridley (@yvonneridley) September 18, 2014
The vote has attracted members of separatist movements from around the world, who have gathered in Scotland to declare their own right to self-determination.
Catalan independence campaigner and member of the European Parliament Josep Maria Terricabras said it was time for Catalonia to break with Spain and applauded Scotland's referendum.
"This is a feast for democracy," Terricabras said. "Is it something to be afraid of? If Europe is afraid of that, I don't like this Europe."
A British businessman is reportedly betting £900,000 ($1.64 million) that Scotland will stay with the United Kingdom.
“This man is confident, if not entirely convinced, that his gamble will pay off," a spokesman for the bookmaker William Hill said. The man behind the bet has "done his homework" and would see losing the money as an "intellectual blow" rather than a "financial blow," the UK Telegraph reported.
The unnamed man "isn't yet sure how or where he will discover the outcome of the referendum.”
"Your mortgage is going to turn into seaweed, there are going to be pigs loose in your garden."
English comedian Russell Brand's deconstruction of British PM David Cameron's warnings about Scottish independence has gotten traction online in the days before the vote.
On a more serious note, Neil Irwin in the New York Times' Upshot writes that the referendum shows a global crisis of the elites
Key quote:
Scotland’s push for independence is driven by a conviction — one not ungrounded in reality — that the British ruling class has blundered through the last couple of decades. The same discontent applies to varying degrees in the United States and, especially, the eurozone. It is, in many ways, a defining feature of our time.
He concludes with an observstion that the Scottish vote "is about whether the men and women who rule Britain messed things up so badly that they would rather go it alone. And so the results will ripple through world capitals from Athens to Washington."
...and presumably Canberra.
A few tweets that hint at the unprecedented turnout for the vote.
If you are in a queue at 10pm you WILL be allowed to vote. DO NOT leave the queue #indyref pic.twitter.com/Zyft3LrKHd — The Scottish Sun (@ScottishSun) September 18, 2014
BREAKING: 87% of possible postal votes have been cast in Glasgow with more still being validated. It's going to be a huge turnout. #indyref — Kay Burley (@KayBurley) September 18, 2014
It's getting busy. Shouts of Yes! Yes! Yes! #indyref pic.twitter.com/mT05Kp2Ejn — Max Colchester (@MaximColch) September 18, 2014
Here is a photo of the ballot, which Slate rightly decribes as "outstandingly simple."
Scotland's secession ballot is outstandingly simple: http://t.co/n5B9n4LG12 (photo Getty) pic.twitter.com/P43aOUhkw3 — The Slatest (@slatest) September 18, 2014
Polls have now closed in Scotland for the voting. Now comes the wait for returns.
Now what? The result will only be formally announced when all the results from 32 local counts around Scotland are in, according to Reuters.
Either side only needs 50 per cent plus one vote of the total turnout, meaning the result should be clear before every ballot paper has been counted.
Results are likely to start coming through from about 11am AEST. However, Scotland's biggest cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen may not report results until after about 2pm AEST.
There was one report of tension on the streets of Glasgow earlier in the evening.
more police moving in to protect the Nos from a hostile yes crowd. — Quinn Norton (@quinnnorton) September 18, 2014
Police kept the groups separated, preventing the disturbance fom marring the peaceful rally in George Square.
Approach with caution. A man playing flame-throwing bagpipes was caught on film in Edinburgh earlier.
With the outcome too close to call, this real-time map shows that Twitter-savvy Scots are largely in favour of ending the 307-year union between Scotland and England.
England's conservative Daily Telegraph has made its "no" position clear with Thursday's front-page quoting poet Scottish poet Robert Burns from 1795 over both the Union Jack and Cross of St Andrew flags:
Be Britain still to Britain true,
Among ourselves united;
For never but by British hands
Maun British wrangs be righted.
Despite the Twitter vibe, the latest YouGov survey, published shortly after polling closed, predicts that "No" has won Scotland’s referendum with 54 per cent of the vote.
YouGov #IndyRef prediction: YES 46%, NO 54% - http://t.co/huG6uJFiJG — YouGov (@YouGov) September 18, 2014
The YouGov survey calculated its prediction by surveying 1828 people after they voted as well as the postal votes of 800 people.
Getting back to the flaming bagpipes...a clip of the player in action.
Polls closed. Expectations high.
If Scotland votes 'no', the defeat may take down Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond, punters say.
@Ladbrokes are NOW 2/1 for @AlexSalmond to resign within 48 hours! #IndyRef http://t.co/wXp2CqufjO pic.twitter.com/106qyiISsb — Ladbrokes Politics (@LadPolitics) September 18, 2014
Far too early to tell about the result.
Vote counting in Aberdeen.
Meanwhile, CNN thinks Scotland has given 110% on its referendum efforts...
CNN ready to call it #indyref via @tobyharnden pic.twitter.com/QJ6GdlGcD7 — Nick Bryant (@NickBryantNY) September 18, 2014
What we know so far:
- Polls have closed and counting is under way at the 32 sites across Scotland.
- The question asked on the referendum ballot was: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
- Some 4,285,323 people were registered to vote – 97 per cent of the Scottish electorate.
- Scots cast their votes at 2608 polling places across the country until 10pm local time.
- The closest thing to an exit poll (a YouGov Survey of 1828 people and 800 postal votes) has "No" in front, with 54 per cent to 46 per cent "Yes".
- The voting age was lowered to 16, meaning for the first time in Scotland's history 16 and 17-year-olds were eligible to help decide Scotland's future.
- Early reports say voter turnout is as high as 90 per cent in some places.
Yes Scotland anticipating the first result could be announced "within the next hour."
The first #IndyRef result could be announced within the next hour. — YES Scotland (@Independent_SCO) September 18, 2014
All seem to agree that a big part of the story is the high turnout. British Labour figure David Miliband has praised the democratic spirit of the referedum.
Wonderful to hear of 80/90 per cent turnouts in #indyref. Scots have taught us all a lesson in democracy. — David Miliband (@DMiliband) September 18, 2014
Late into the night: supporters from the "Yes" Campaign wave Scottish flags in central Glasgow.
Some breaking news: Sky News is reporting allegations of electoral fraud in Glasgow.
Police have been called in to investigate 10 cases where people have presented themselves at polling stations attempting to represent someone who had already voted.
Some ballot papers are being removed from ballot boxes so they can be investigated, the Guardian reports.
BREAKING: There are allegations of electoral fraud in Glasgow. #IndyRef https://t.co/IoloMLEjrj — Sky News (@SkyNews) September 18, 2014
Voters remained divided to the very end, The New York Times reported.
"It's much easier to say yes," said Sandra Love, 52, an officer manager and member of the opposition Labour Party outside a polling station in a bustling student neighbourhood of Glasgow. "But sometimes you have to say no."
Whatever the outcome, she said, "everyone needs to accept it and move forward."
Duncan Sim, a university lecturer who said he had always been in favour of independence, was handing out "Yes" fliers at the same polling station. He, too, worried about a country that would be split down the middle, whatever the result. "It will be a big challenge to hold people together," he said. "Hopefully we will still all get on after the vote."
Early returns trickling in.
The council area of Clackmannanshire, located between Glasgow and Edinburgh, came back with 'No' winning.
Clackmannanshire result: No 53.8 per cent to Yes 46.2 per cent.
31 more council areas to go.
The Clackmannanshire result is a disappointing blow to the Yes campaign. It was one of the councils more strongly tipped for victory
Ooft. Clackmannanshire was one of the Yes campaign's bankers. Devastating. Bad omen for Yes. #indyref #indyts — Kenny Farquharson (@KennyFarq) September 19, 2014
Meanwhile, a Scottish National Party group leader in West Lothian told BBC they expect the No vote to get 53 per cent compared to 47 per cent for the 'Yes' vote.
The second result is in and it's another blow to the Yes campaign.
Orkney has voted 67% No, to 33% Yes.
Orkney votes NO in Scotland's #indyref: Yes 4,883 (33%) No 10,004 (67%) Turnout 83.7% http://t.co/sIksviDzri — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
One of the biggest talking points around the referendum so far has been the astonishingly high voter turnout.
Even in Glasgow, the 75% turnout (one of the lowest so far) is considered remarkably high. Parts of the city reported less than 50% turnout at the general election, according to the Guardian.
Turnout in Dundee around 90%, East Lothian 79.7% #indyref
— Martyn McLaughlin (@MartynMcL) September 18, 2014
"unpredecedented" participation says @alittl - 97% electorate registered to vote #indyref Whatever the vote, #Scotland is a different place — lyse doucet (@bbclysedoucet) September 18, 2014
Hearing turnout in Dundee is 90%. Remarkable! #indyref — Craig McAngus (@craigmcangus) September 18, 2014
Fairfax's Europe correspondent Nick Miller is on the ground in Edinburgh. Here's his take so far:
Results in a couple of the smaller regions have come through now and so far there's been nothing but bad news for the Yes campaign - comfortably rejecting independence."It's a marathon not a sprint," one Yes campaigner tells the BBC, but given the less-than-hoped-for (though still historically high) turnout in Yes stronghold Glasgow, they're likely going to need some good results elsewhere as well.
Early reports also have it that strong Labour-voting areas are so far leaning to No, suggesting that Gordon Brown's last-minute barnstorming speech against independence may have brought back some of those flirting with the nationalists.
And it's a decisive No from Shetland as well. That makes it three councils returning a "No" vote so far. Thirty councils still left to count.
Shetland: 63.7% No to 36.3% Yes.
Here's a break down of the count:
Yes 5,669 (36.3%)
No 9,951 (63.7%)
Rejected: 15
Turnout 84.4%
While we wait for the next council to declare, let's recap on the hat-trick for the "No" camp so far.
According to the BBC's Brian Taylor Shetland, Orkney and Clackmannanshire are among the smallest councils in Scotland. While Orkney and Shetland both returned emphatic "No" votes, experts say this is unsurprising. An analysis by Credit Suisse gave Shetland a Yes rating of 0/10.
So far the Clackmannanshire result has delivered the most devastating blow for the pro-independence supporters, with reports emerging that the Yes campaign had been quietly confident of victory there.
The YES camp listened to the Clackmannanshire result in silence. Some had their heads in their hands. #indyref — Robert Hutton (@RobDotHutton) September 19, 2014
When independence is rejected what happens to the campaign? Well, if Quebec's 1995 flirtation with independence from Canada is any guide, a No vote may set back the movement indefinitely, according to IG Markets strategist Evan Lucas. He writes:
In the lead up to the polls, the YES campaign [in Quebec] was actually ahead all the way before being pipped by the narrowest of margins on the final day. Following the vote, the desire for independence actually fell away and Quebec has not gone back to the polls since the 1995 referendum.
That does not necessarily mean Scotland will take the same path, but the similarities suggest the likelihood of a vote in the next five years will diminish on a strong NO vote.
A No vote of 53.4 per cent returned in Western Isles (Eilean Siar). Clean sweep for the "Better Together" campaign so far.
Yes 9195 (46.6 per cent)
No 10,544 (53.4 per cent)
Turnout 86.2 per cent
Western Isles (Eilean Siar) votes NO in Scotland's #indyref: Yes 9,195 (46.6%) No 10,544 (53.4%) Turnout 86.2% http://t.co/sIksviDzri — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Fairfax's Nick Miller writes:
It's important to remember that even a 'No' result doesn't mean a return to business as usual. Scotland has changed, no matter the final tally.
Conservative chief whip Michael Gove - close to PM David Cameron - has suggested tonight that one of the unexpected results of a No vote will be devolution of powers for England - yes, England.
In the last frenetic weeks of the campaign the three UK political party leaders committed to a 'devolution max' deal for Scotland, giving the Scottish parliament more powers including over income tax.
But Mr Gove hinted to Sky and the BBC tonight that this deal would come with more devolution to Northern Ireland, Wales and England as well.
Mr Cameron is expected to have more to say on this later today, but it could mean that, for instance, Scottish MPs would not have a vote in Westminster on laws that affected only England's health or education system or welfare or tax law.
And the No's keep coming. Inverclyde has voted 50.1% No to 49.9% Yes.
The closest result so far.
Nick Miller, Europe correspondent, reports -
"Inverclyde is fairly poor area, a very strong Labour area - one of the places that Yes were quietly hoping they would chalk up a win. But with such a high turnout (87%) and still a loss for the nationalists, this is another sign that the early trend is to reject independence. Long way to go, and counting still going in all the big cities, but the odds are only lengthening against Yes."
Inverclyde breakdown:
- Yes 27,243 (49.9%)
- No 27,329 (50.1%)
- Turnout 87.4%
As YES voters make a stand in Dundee, Renfrewshire has voted NO in referendum
NO 53.8 per cent
YES 46.2 per cent.
Renfrewshire votes NO in Scotland's #indyref: Yes 55,466 (47.2%) No 62,067 (52.8%) Turnout 87.3% http://t.co/sIksviDzri — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
It's a YES, and a convincing one at that, from Dundee.
57.3% Yes to 42.7% No
The victory is sweet relief for the Yes campaign, which so far has been defeated in six councils.
Alex Salmond, the leader of the Scottish National Party, had dubbed Dundee Scotland's 'Yes city'.
The BBC's Andrew Maher says Dundee sends the message that there's still life in the vote and it's too early to call it for 'No'.
But he says the numbers aren't quite as high as the Yes camp had hoped.
4am in George Square. Crowds chanting "Dundee"- the city voted Yes #indyref pic.twitter.com/xeTZLNbxED — Daniele Hamamdjian (@DHamamdjian) September 19, 2014
Another two results are in, one a-piece.
It's a YES from West Dunbartonshire, with 54.0% YES to NO 46.0%
Midlothian has voted NO 56.3% to YES 43.7%.
For a bit of context on the second YES result in West Dunbartonshire. It's another strong Labour area north-west of Glasgow, and area of high poverty. Another high turnout, 87%.
The convincing win for No in Midlothian, south of Edinburgh is seen as a much better prediction of the final tally, it was seen as a bellwether region that was on the fence until the day of the vote.
Two more council areas have voted no, Stirling and East Lothian.
In Stirling the YES got only 40.2 per cent of votes.
No got 59.8 per cent
In East Loathian, the YES voters fared worse with a mere 38.3 per cent
while the NO vote received 61.7 per cent.
Results are flooding in now. Three more NO votes, from Stirling, East Lothian and Falkirk
Stirling, home of the Battle of Bannockburn, goes to NO by 59.8% to 40.2% - with a massive 90.1% turnout.
With 12/32 areas reporting, 2 are above my benchmark needed for 50% Yes, 10 are below. #indyref #ScotlandDecides pic.twitter.com/s2vCwMnc0V — Paul Fairie (@paulisci) September 19, 2014
Another three NO's - Angus, Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries & Galloway votes NO in Scotland's #indyref: Yes 36,614 (34.3%) No 70,039 (65.7%) Turnout 87.5% http://t.co/sIksviDzri — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Nick Miller reports -
"The results in Angus and Falkirk are interesting, because they show that even areas which vote for nationalists in the Scottish - or even UK - parliament are leaning towards 'No'.
Speaking of Alex Salmond, a thong of media await his imminent arrival in Ingliston in Edinburgh, where the final result will be declared.
Alex Salmond is expected to arrive at Ingliston in Edinburgh at any minute. The media awaits. #indyref pic.twitter.com/eIY8OTxuPs — BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) September 19, 2014
Three more NO's from East Renfrewshire, Aberdeen City and East Renfrewshire.
That brings the total to 15 councils for NO and only 2 for YES. Too soon to declare a landslide victory for the NO campaign?
Scotland's #indyref totals after 17 of 32 declarations: Yes 521,441 (43.8%) No 670,354 (56.2%) http://t.co/sIksviDzri — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Nick Miller reports that the NO result from Aberdeen city (57% for No) is particularly devastating for the independence campaign.
Very strong No from the heart of Scottish oil, Aberdeen City. #indyref — Nkem Ifejika (@nkemifejika) September 19, 2014
A glimmer of hope for the revolutionaries, North Lanarkshire has voted YES.
Yes 51.1%
No 48.9%
Turnout 84.4%
That's three councils from 32 now firmly in the YES camp.
And just like that, the flicker of hope is all but extinguished.
Three more NO votes from - South Lanarkshire, Perth & Kinross.
Just asked very senior figure in yes campaign, "Can you still win?" The answer. "No." #indyref #Scotland — James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) September 19, 2014
And it's a YES from Glasgow.
Yes 53.5%
No 46.5%
Turnout 75.0%
With 23 of the 32 councils declared (only 3 for YES) our reporter Nick Miller says it's time to declare victory for NO campaign. The UK lives on.
Here's his analysis:
"A decent win for Yes in Glasgow - 53:47 - but not enough to keep Yes hopes alive. It came after another huge blow for Yes with Perth & Kinross voting 60:40 for No. This is the homeland of the so-called 'tartan Tories' who seem happy these days for the nationalists to rule in Holyrood, but clearly don't want to lose touch with Westminster altogether. Alex Salmond made his final speech on election eve in Perth Concert Hall. It clearly didn't fire up the locals."
Just a reminder - unlike most elections this is not determined by a majority of regions, but a majority of the vote.
The regional announcements reflect how the count is being tallied, but in the end if just one more Scot votes No than Yes, then it's a No for independence.
(Which, incidentally, is what the BBC are now confidently predicting, just like everyone else.)
The total count so far:
Yes: 1,176,952
No: 1,397,077
Working class are of East Ayrshire (south of Glasgow) has just been declared, with 52.8% voting NO. The final nail in the coffin for the independence campaign.
Currency markets have reacted to the vote, writes BusinessDay's Jared Lynch with the British pound hitting a two-year high against the euro and US dollar "as traders took comfort that the Scottish referendum would fail to break-up the United Kingdom."
Scotland's latest #indyref totals as BBC predicts win for "No" campaign http://t.co/sIksviDzri pic.twitter.com/fR0wiaBhBS — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Our reporter Eryk Bagshaw, who's currently at the Scottish referendum party at the Arisaig bar in Surry Hills, says there are few sad faces as the vote looks like it's heading towards staying with the Union.
Expatriate Scots have been overwhelmingly in favour of independence, he says. Sky News' forecast of a rejection of independence hasn't stopped the bagpipes.
"We are Scottish, so no matter what happens we still be Scottish together," said Scottish bartender Mr Catledge-Saide.
This sums up the mood at the "Yes" campaign's gathering in Edinburgh: #indyref pic.twitter.com/7IUgWUzXdx — James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) September 19, 2014
Seen on Facebook - Alex Salmond appears to reveal his post-referendum strategy, clearly aimed at reuniting a divided country.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has congratulated Alistair Darling, the leader of Better Together, on his victory.
I've spoken to Alistair Darling - and congratulated him on an well-fought campaign. #indyref — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 19, 2014
An extraordinary night. Humbled by the level of support and the efforts of our volunteers. Will give speech in Glasgow shortly. #indyref — Alistair Darling (@TogetherDarling) September 19, 2014
From Nick Miller in Edinburgh:
British Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to give a speech in an hour. It's going to be crucial.
Tired Scots who voted Yes will hope for a clear sign their fight was not in vain - that they made enough headway to secure the promise of further devolved powers.
Tired Scots who voted No because of that promise will want to be reassured it will not be walked back or diluted.
But there is a whole lot of banked-up outrage from Conservatives who will ask why Scotland should be given anything more, given they voted to stay with Britain.
And regions such as London and the North will be asking: if Scotland gets more devolved powers, why not us?
Some are tipping this could be the start of a constitutional revolution, with Britain moving to more of a federal model.
Edinburgh has also voted NO.
YES 38.9%
NO 61.1%
I'll be making a statement following the Scottish Referendum results just after 7am. #indyref — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 19, 2014
And there's two more NO's from Argyll and Bute (58.5%) and Aberdeenshire (60.4%).
Scotland's #indyref totals after 29 of 32 declarations: Yes 1,398,540 (44.6%) No 1,737,464 (55.4%) http://t.co/J7Ne5KyfWw — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
So what now? The UK political parties have all pledged "permanent and extensive" new powers for Scotland's parliament.
Scotland has rejected independence and will remain in the United Kingdom.
Scotland has rejected independence, #indyref results confirm http://t.co/5lUtzo4G5Y pic.twitter.com/fxjXNDBkAW — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, has managed a smile after voters have rejected independence from the United Kingdom.
"Thank you to Scotland for 1.6 million votes for Scottish independence," he said.
"We know there is going to be a majority for the No campaign.
"Scotland has by majority decided not at this stage to become an independent country. I accept that verdict and I call all of Scotland to follow suit."
Unionists late in the campaign promised to devolve more powers to Scotland and Scotland will expect these to be honoured in rapid course, he said.
Meanwhile in Surry Hills, Sydney, the once loud bagpipes have been silenced as everyone in the room has their eyes glued to the TV.
"I accept verdict of the people & call on all of Scotland to follow suit," says Alex Salmond http://t.co/yDI7P6yTqK pic.twitter.com/8GSBCrGV6m — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Salmond says the UK will "never be allowed to go back to business as usual in politics".
"Let us not dwell on the distance we have fallen short, let us dwell on the distance we have travelled."
"We shall go forward as one nation."
Better Together supporters celebrate the result of the Scottish referendum on independence.
Delighted that Scots have voted for better, faster, safer change as part of the UK. Let's begin fixing the divides in our society #indyref — Johann Lamont (@JohannLamont) September 19, 2014
In a dangerous and uncertain world I have no doubt we are stronger, safer, and more prosperous together than we ever could be apart #indyref — Nick Clegg (@nick_clegg) September 19, 2014
Alistair Darling, leader of Better Together, says the people of Scotland have chosen unity over division.
"We've chosen unity over division," says Alistair Darling; "momentous result for Scotland & UK as a whole" http://t.co/IaIGCOJ2gN #indyref — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Och no ���� — Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) September 19, 2014
A look at some front pages following Scotland's decision to reject independence.
Some of Friday's final #indyref editions #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/QBvLgHmdWe — Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) September 19, 2014
I've just spoken to Alex Salmond, congratulating him on a hard-fought campaign. I'm delighted the SNP will join talks on further devolution. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 19, 2014
UK Prime Minister David Cameron is speaking outside Downing Street.
He foreshadows an extraordinary constitutional revolution for the UK - "English votes for English laws" - an end for the ability of Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish MPs to vote in Westminster on laws that do not affect their nations.
It will be negotiated in parallel with Scottish devolution, he said.
David Cameron: Proposals for more devolved powers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be worked on #IndyRef #Scotland — Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) September 19, 2014
Draft laws on new powers for Scotland to be published by January, says PM David Cameron http://t.co/tfiSttmJLc #indyref — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Let's not dwell on the distance we've fallen short - let us dwell on the distance we have travelled — Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) September 19, 2014
Pro-independence Scots have reacted with universal disappointment in Sydney, reports Eryk Bagshaw. The phrase, "I'm devastated," was echoed by Scots young and old.
Ex-patriot Scot's in Australia have been overwhelmingly in favour of independence, not a single "no" voter was in sight at the official referendum party at the Arisaig bar in Surry Hills.
"That's why we lost, everyone's here" remarked 30-year-old Scott Christopher Dunn.
"Every time a yes vote comes through it gives you that little bit of hope," said 24-year-old Hayleigh Anderson. .
With defeat conceded, the crowd roared into "we shall not be moved," and Pam Hanlon-Schafer wept.
"I am absolutley devastated," she said.
35-year-old Robert Welsh was in a similar state of distress, "I'm bloody gutted." he said.
But the biggest declaration came from 33-year-old Scottish engineer, Gary Asoclini.
"I was ready to go back to a re-born Scotland if we voted yes," he said. "Now I wan't to burn my passport."
So what happens now? The BBC have come up with a few ideas on what's going to happen next:
- More power to Scotland
- Party differences within the Scottish Parliament
- Negotiations with UK political parties
- What now for the Scottish National Party?
A lesson on how to lay out a ballot paper ...
On the left…how to write a question so rigged you’ll guarantee a rejection. On the right..not so tricky. #auspol pic.twitter.com/zbCoQhuTpy — Ghost of PJK (@GhostOfPJK) September 17, 2014
An interesting read from the Telegraph, London on why the Yes vote lost:
Alan Cochrane of the London Telegraph says the battle was lost two weeks ago when a YouGov poll showed the Yes vote clearly in front.
'All hell appeared to break loose. The value of the pound nose-dived, billions were wiped off the value of major British firms and Osborne announced that a timetable for extra Holyrood powers would be announced immediately.'
'This, plus the emergency drafting in – or more likely he drafted himself in – of Gordon Brown more than did the trick. In a series of barnstorming speeches, filled with Old Time Religion from the former prime minister, now fully rehabilitated with the man who threw him out of Downing Street, appeared to work especially in the Labour heartlands.
'The No side took the lead in the polls again, albeit a narrow one, and as Referendum Day approached there was everything to play for.'
And from the BBC on why the No vote was inevitable:
They were always the favourites
The Scottish feel British
The risk factor
They stemmed the Yes surge
The economy
David Cameron's statement on the referendum (see the full version here):
The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result.
They have kept our country of four nations together.
Like millions of other people, I’m 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.
Sterling has roared back to life, soaring to a two-year high against the euro and a two-week peak against the US currency, as traders took comfort that the Scottish referendum would fail to break-up the United Kingdom, reports BusinessDay's Jared Lynch.
On Friday, Australian time, the currency had leapt 0.9 per cent against the US dollar to $US1.6526, and climbed 0.6 per cent against the euro.
"Sterling is well supported on the vote, and this is having an impact on the crosses," said Hamish Pepper, a currency strategist at Barclays Capital in Singapore.
However Westpac currency strategist Sean Callow said it would take a brave investor to bet on further gains.
He said traders began selling sterling about $US1.66 and it was close to clawing back its losses.
"This time next week probably nobody is going to be talking about Scotland," Mr Callow said.
And so the final result seems to be YES 45% and NO 55%.
Dundee, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, and West Dunbartonshire were the only councils who voted yes. Every other council voted no.
Final result of Scotland's Independence referendum #indyref NO 2,001,926 (55%) YES 1,617,989 (45%) Turnout 84.59% pic.twitter.com/A6TZonWupd — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 19, 2014
Here's a wrap from our European correspondent Nick Miller on the referendum result:
Scotland has voted 'No' to independence – but the United Kingdom still faces the biggest political revolution in centuries.
Outside No 10 Downing Street, barely hours after the referendum result was known, Prime Minister David Cameron promised that "English votes for English laws" would accompany the delivery of promised new powers over income tax and welfare to the Scottish Parliament.
Under Mr Cameron's proposed plan Scottish, Welsh or Northern Ireland MPs would no longer have the right to vote in Westminster on laws that did not affect their nations.
This change in the basic structure of the Union would be negotiated alongside the new powers that were pledged to Scotland in the last desperate days of the referendum.
But it is expected to spark a new, fierce row over what this means in practice - how the British government is chosen, how a budget is passed and whether it requires a separate English parliament.
And that's it for our referendum result live blog. Scotland has voted to rejected independence and to remain in the United Kingdom, with 55% voting no.