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.Scroll down for live results map
First Minister Alex Salmond was today forced to admit defeat in his battle for Scottish independence, as 55 per cent of people voted to remain part of the United Kingdom
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon refused to admit defeat while there were still outstanding results to come, but her face at the count in Glasgow showed how the evening had gone from moment of celebration to bitter acceptance of the voters' rejection
In the early hours, Mr Salmond shunned the cameras to board a private jet from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, contemplating the comprehensive failure of his efforts to destroy the 307-year-old Union.But in a message posted on Twitter he praised the city of Glasgow, one of the few places to vote in favour of independence, and 'the people of Scotland for such a incredible support'.He hoped to triumph in one of the most extraordinary political battles in British history, but the determination of the people of Scotland means the United Kingdom remains in tact, and Mr Salmond faces the grim prospect of being forced out of office.
But if he does plan to fall on his sword, he gave no hint of it during his statement at the Our Dynamic Earth centre in Edinburgh. Suggesting he tought the issue of Scottish independence could be resurrected, he said: 'It is important to say that our referendum was an agreed and consented process and Scotland has by a majority decided not at this stage to become an independent country.'I accept that verdict of the people and I call on all of Scotland to follow suit in accepting the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland.' Turnout has topped 90 per cent in pro-Union areas, but in the key working-class areas where Yes needed big wins, turnout dropped to the mid-70s.Mr Cameron will seek to exploit the result with an early morning television address today, holding out the prospect of Scottish MPs being excluded from voting on English affairs.As a Yes campaign rally in George Square in Glasgow fizzled out, officials in the city launched an investigation into 10 cases of suspected electoral fraud at polling stations.
Overcome: A pro-union supporter bursts into tears of relief as his
As Mr Salmond's supporters faced the grim prospect of defeat, the Better Together party in Glasgow was in full swing as the results pointed to a convincing victory for the pro-Union movement
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