'A result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect': The Queen responds to Scottish referendum decision, Daily Mail

  Queen Elizabeth released a statement from Balmoral on Scottish referendum

  Her Majesty said the entire United Kingdom would respect yesterday's vote

  She accepted there were 'strong feelings and emotions' regarding decision

  She called on everyone to work constructively for Scotland's future in UK

  Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness called for a Northern Ireland border poll  

HER MAJESTY'S STATEMENT  IN FULL

After many months of discussion, debate, and careful thought, we now know the outcome of the Referendum, and it is a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect.

For many in Scotland and elsewhere today, there will be strong feelings and contrasting emotions – among family, friends and neighbours. 

That, of course, is the nature of the robust democratic tradition we enjoy in this country. But I have no doubt that these emotions will be tempered by an understanding of the feelings of others.

Now, as we move forward, we should remember that despite the range of views that have been expressed, we have in common an enduring love of Scotland, which is one of the things that helps to unite us all. 

Knowing the people of Scotland as I do, I have no doubt that Scots, like others throughout the United Kingdom, are able to express strongly-held opinions before coming together again in a spirit of mutual respect and support, to work constructively for the future of Scotland and indeed all parts of this country.

My family and I will do all we can to help and support you in this important task.

ELIZABETH R.

Balmoral, 19th September, 2014

Read more here:

BREAKING NEWS: Alex Salmond resigns hours after Scotland votes no to independence. Daily Mail

  BREAKING: Alex Salmond announces he is resigning as Scotland's First Minister after independence defeat

  It came after the 'No' campaign secured 55% of the vote with Mr Salmond's Yes to independence camp achieving 45%

  Total turnout was 84.5% topping 90% in pro-Union areas but dipping to the mid-70s in key Yes working-class areas    

  Yes wins in Dundee, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire, but fell short by 384,935 votes

  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 

  Tennis champion Andy Murray rows back from pro-independence tweet, insisting he will still play for Team GB 

Alex Salmond this afternoon dramatically quit as Scotland's First Minister after voters rejected independence.

The First Minister said he would stand down in November to let the next generation take over the fight to lead Scotland out of the Union. 

Mr Salmond announced his departure at a press conference this afternoon. He said 'party, Parliament and country' would benefit from 'new leadership'.

But he fired a warning shot at David Cameron not to go back on his promise to transfer sweeping new powers to Holyrood within six months.

This afternoon's announcement came after he was forced to accept that a majority of Scots had decided 'at this stage' not to become an independent country. The 'No' campaign secured 55 per cent of the vote to the nationalists' 45 per cent.

Comment:

Mr Salmond has done the honourable thing and has resigned after the shock defeat of the Yes camp in the Scottish Independence Referendum,  it would be interesting to see who replaces him,  the most obvious candidate is Nicola Sturgeon.   Scotland has decided to remain part of the United Kingdom, it’s time for Scotland to decide who forms the next Scottish Government, The Scottish National Party needs in the next few months, to step down and call a general election in Scotland,  I believe that the SNP no longer have the mandate or the support of the Scottish electorate and they should do the honourable thing and let the Scottish people decide what political party lead their government,  after the success of the Better Together,  there are 3 men from the same political party who I believe should make a better First Minister,  Alistair Darling,  Douglas Alexander and Gordon Brown. I would like to make an appeal to Mr Brown,  Scotland needs you Gordon.

Read more here:

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE ~ PIPES & DRUMS ~ ( HD )

The Corries - Loch Lomond

The Alexander Brothers - Flower Of Scotland

SCOTLAND SAYS NO! SNP leaders admit to 'deep disappointment as Better Together campaign heads for clear victory in referendum. Daily Mail

  LATEST: With 29 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 to address the nation early on Friday morning to set out ways to 'rebalance' power across the UK   

  The Queen is following events 'closely' and will make a statement tomorrow 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 

Better Together leader Alistair Darling today said he was 'humbled' by the level of support for the United Kingdom, as the people of Scotland overwhelmingly rejected Alex Salmond's lifelong push for independence.

Mr Darling hailed an 'extraordinary night' in which 55 per cent of people voted against separation, with just 45 per cent in favour.

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. He will make a public statement at 6.20am.

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.

Read more here:

The Proclaimers - I'm On My Way

I hope that Scotland isn't on it way to financial meltdown