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Alice Woodhouse

Reuters

Scotland rejected independence in a historic referendum that kept the United Kingdom intact, but the vote put the main political parties under pressure to grant more local autonomy.
Opinion polls had shown a surge in support for separation over the past two weeks, but a final push by leaders of the three main national parties saw a decisive 55 per cent of voters in Scotland opt to remain in the union.
Some 2,001,929 people voted to continue the 307-year union with England while 1,617,989 opted for independence. The 84.5 per cent turnout was a record for an election in Britain.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "It was right to take - not duck - the big decision. The debate has been settled for a generation. There can be no disputes, no re-runs.
"We have heard the settled will of the Scottish people."
Queen Elizabeth urged her subjects in the UK to "come together" after what had been a divisive campaign.
"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," she said.

Many "Yes" activists were dejected and in tears, but First Minister Alex Salmond urged them to take heart from the numbers who backed independence.
"This has been a triumph for the democratic process and for participation in politics," the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader told cheering supporters in Edinburgh.
Hours later, Salmond said he would be stepping down from his post and the SNP leadership at its conference in November.
"For me as leader, my time is nearly over. But for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream shall never die," he said.
Salmond laced both his concession and resignation speeches with a warning to British politicians in London that they must respect their last-minute promise of more powers for Scotland.
"Scotland will expect these to be honoured in rapid course."

	READ: Tired Alex Salmond steps down after the fight of his life
It's not only Scotland that will see greater powers. Debate there on independence has triggered calls for greater devolution of power from the central government to Wales, Northern Ireland and English regions.
Stock markets expressed relief that the economic risks of a break-up had been averted, with sterling strengthening against the dollar and euro, while British shares and bonds also rose.
There was also relief in many European capitals, where a "Yes" vote would have given unwanted encouragement to separatist movements from Flanders in Belgium to Catalonia in Spain.
US President Barack Obama said he hoped to continue his country's "strong and special relationship with all the people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".
In Brussels, the European Commission's president, Jose Manuel Barroso - who had opposed Scottish independence from the outset - welcomed the decision. "This outcome is good for the united, open and stronger Europe that the European Commission stands for," he said.
EU President Herman Van Rompuy said the result meant Britain "is and will remain an important member of the European Union for the benefit of all citizens and member states".
Negotiations will now start between Cameron's Conservatives, coalition partners the Liberal Democrats and the main opposition Labour Party on what extra powers to give the Scottish Parliament, which was set up in 1999 and already controls areas like health and education. A policy paper due in November will outline these steps.
They are likely to include greater control over taxation and welfare payments. Draft laws on decentralisation could be ready by January.
Devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland would also have greater powers, Cameron promised.
"So, just as Scotland will vote separately in the Scottish Parliament on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland, should be able to vote on these issues; and all this must take place in tandem with, and at the same pace as, the settlement for Scotland," he said.
Cameron appointed William Hague, a former interior minister, to draw up plans that will mean only English lawmakers in Parliament vote on English laws.
Currently lawmakers representing constituencies in Scotland vote on issues affecting England, Wales and Northern Ireland, yet Westminster has no say in matters devolved to the Scottish parliament.
In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei used a regular briefing to restate China's position that it had no comment as the referendum was a domestic British affair.
Reuters, Agence France-Presse


Scotland votes to stay, but vote will unleash radical change for whole UK

Emotions ran high on both sides after the 3.6 million votes were counted. Photo: Reuters

Many "Yes" activists were dejected and in tears. Photo: AFP

Referendum start of change for UK, say Scotland's 'Yes' and 'No' camps

Independence wasn't written in the stars for Scotland this time around, but there is momentum now for greater devolution of powers from Westminster not just to Scotland but the rest of the United Kingdom. Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister David Cameron said Scots' message was that the rights of all voters need to be "respected, preserved and enhanced". Photo: Reuters

David Cameron said the result paved the way for a new balanced constitutional settlement for all of Britain. Photo: EPA

David Cameron said the result paved the way for a new balanced constitutional settlement for all of Britain. Photo: AP

Pro-Union supporters celebrate as Scottish referendum polling results are announced at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh. Photo: AFP

Pro-union supporters celebrate as Scottish independence referendum results are announced at a 'Better Together' event in Glasgow. Photo: AFP

Pro-union supporters react as Scottish independence referendum results come in at a Better Together event in Glasgow. Photo: AFP

Supporters from the "No" Campaign react to a declaration in their favour, in Glasgow. Photo: Reuters

No supporters for the Scottish independence referendum celebrate an early result at a No campaign event at a hotel in Glasgow. Photo: AP

Pro-independence supporters are pictured in Edinburgh, as referendum results are announced. Photo: AFP

Alex Salmond did not rule out a future independence campaign. Photo: AP

Alex Salmond did not rule out a future independence campaign. Photo: Reuters

Democracy and constitutional change the winner in Scottish vote

The Scottish vote on independence recorded a turnout of nearly 85 per cent. Photo: Reuters

After Scotland, who will be next to hold a referendum on independence?

A pro-independence rally in Glasgow. The Scots were privileged to have a choice. Few people anywhere get the opportunity. Photo: Kyodo

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World

Scotland rejected independence in a historic referendum that kept the United Kingdom intact, but the vote put the main political parties under pressure to grant more local autonomy.
