Scotland Goes to the Polls: This Can Only End Badly

[mystery-ak]

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-London/2014/09/18/Scotland-goes-to-the-polls-this-can-only-end-badly

 by James Delingpole 18 Sep 2014, 1:10 AM PDT

Today the people of Scotland will vote on the most important issue of their lifetime: whether to remain part of a 307 year old Union which has brought them peace and prosperity, encouraged cultural and economic efflorescence and created the greatest empire the world has ever seen...

Or whether to go it alone as an independent nation and brave currency collapse, economic chaos, marginalisation on the international stage, grotesque political mismanagement by a party led by a shyster demagogue, bitter wrangling, messy negotiation of any number of complex agreements, and the grim prospect of picking up a massive welfare bill which, up and till now, has been heavily subsidised by the loathsome Sassenachs of South East England.

Perhaps you can guess from this summary where we at Breitbart London stand on the issue. The dissolution of the United Kingdom, we believe, is a very bad idea which even those who voted "yes" will come to regret bitterly.

As to which way the vote will go, opinion polls suggest that it is too close to call.

That this is so reflects horribly badly on the "No" campaign which has been run with such ineptitude and complacency that it wasn't until a fortnight ago that it woke up to the possibility that it might lose an argument it had long lazily accepted it would win hands down.

But it hardly speaks better for the ugly campaign conducted by the "Yes" lobby. While it may be true that in psephelogical terms it has been tremendously successful, in moral terms it has been unconscionable. Alex Salmond and his Scottish National Party have run a campaign on a prospectus so riddled with lies, exaggerations and half-truths that if this were business or finance rather than politics they would all likely be serving jail sentences.

And that's before you even get on to the sheer nastiness, the bullying and aggressive nationalism with which they have conducted it: the veiled threats to Scottish institutions (from business to academe) tempted to speak out for the "No" vote; the harrying of everyone from journalists such as the BBC's Nick Robinson to prominent Scots such as author JK Rowling (monstered on Twitter for daring to speak up for the Union); the graffiti and bricks-through-windows; the rent-a-mobs more redolent of, say, Venezuela under Chavez than of the birthplace of the European Enlightenment.

This ugliness, unfortunately, will not go away once the votes have been counted and the final verdict delivered.

Whatever the result, lots of people are going to be unhappy, resentful and itching for payback.

Indeed, they already are.

The "Yes" camp have made it perfectly clear that if they don't get their way now, they won't stop until they do.

The "No" camp realise that even if they win, it will be at best a Pyrrhic victory. Such has been the "No" team's scrabbling last-minute desperation to save the Union regardless of the cost that they have pretty much handed Scotland de facto independence before the vote was even taken.

So whoever is doing the celebrating in Scotland once the results are through on Friday, of one thing we can be sure: the hangover - even for those who haven't touched a drop - is going to be biblical.

[GourmetDan]

""In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way."

[NavyCanDo]

The Scotts are a fiercely independent people, and always have been. Even if the “Union” of the United Kingdom is good for them they still look it as a yoke that must be broken.    Much of our own pre-Civil War South were Scotts or more accurately Scotts-Irish, and the majority of those who fought for the South apposing the “Union”  were 3rd generation Ulster-Scotts.  We’ll see how this vote ends up, but I would not be shocked if they vote to become independent.     And how that turns out, only time will tell.

[truth_seeker]

The Scotts are a fiercely independent people, and always have been. Even if the “Union” of the United Kingdom is good for them they still look it as a yoke that must be broken.    Much of our own pre-Civil War South were Scotts or more accurately Scotts-Irish, and the majority of those who fought for the South apposing the “Union”  were 3rd generation Ulster-Scotts.  We’ll see how this vote ends up, but I would not be shocked if they vote to become independent.     And how that turns out, only time will tell.

I saw or heard an analysis of the battles between the Gauls (Celts) and Romans.

The Gauls were bigger and stronger, charged bravely into the enemy in battles. The Romans were smaller, but used intellect, discipline, and formations to easily defeat the Gauls.

The Irish and Scots are Gauls. On paper it seems like the independent Scotland movement is a wild (Celtic) charge into that which could be avoided, with time, intellect, etc.

[NavyCanDo]

I saw or heard an analysis of the battles between the Gauls (Celts) and Romans.

The Gauls were bigger and stronger, charged bravely into the enemy in battles. The Romans were smaller, but used intellect, discipline, and formations to easily defeat the Gauls.

The Irish and Scots are Gauls. On paper it seems like the independent Scotland movement is a wild (Celtic) charge into that which could be avoided, with time, intellect, etc.

A great book on their history - and how they helped shaped America, is Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America.

They were rebels and outcasts but also had  unparalleled skills as frontiersmen and guerrilla fighters. Their cultural identity reflected acute individualism, and a dislike of aristocracy. They were 40 percent of the Revolutionary War army; they included the pioneers Daniel Boone, Lewis and Clark, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston. They have given America numerous great military leaders, including Stonewall Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and George S. Patton, as well as most of the soldiers of the Confederacy and also a large percentage of the Federals.

 

[truth_seeker]

A great book on their history - and how they helped shaped America, is Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America.

They were rebels and outcasts but also had  unparalleled skills as frontiersmen and guerrilla fighters. Their cultural identity reflected acute individualism, and a dislike of aristocracy. They were 40 percent of the Revolutionary War army; they included the pioneers Daniel Boone, Lewis and Clark, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston. They have given America numerous great military leaders, including Stonewall Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and George S. Patton, as well as most of the soldiers of the Confederacy and also a large percentage of the Federals.

I understand their history in North America. I have read quite a bit. My ancestors were among the earliest Ulster Scots, in the colonies.

Another tough bunch were the "Border Reivers" which included Nixon.

[Atomic Cow]

Time for a quote from one of the best, but most historically inaccurate movies, made in the last 20 years.

"The trouble with Scotland is that it's full of Scots."

[SPQR]

According to Drudge, the exit polling says "No"

[olde north church]

A great book on their history - and how they helped shaped America, is Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America.

They were rebels and outcasts but also had  unparalleled skills as frontiersmen and guerrilla fighters. Their cultural identity reflected acute individualism, and a dislike of aristocracy. They were 40 percent of the Revolutionary War army; they included the pioneers Daniel Boone, Lewis and Clark, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston. They have given America numerous great military leaders, including Stonewall Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and George S. Patton, as well as most of the soldiers of the Confederacy and also a large percentage of the Federals.

I found Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English don't use the term Scots-Irish.  They call themselves "Ulster Irish".  Other than that, I did a quick read and found it interesting.

[SPQR]

According to Drudge

54 Percent-No
46 percent Yes

http://www.bbc.com/news/

[SPQR]

Drudge

No-59
Yes 41

[SPQR]

Drudge reports

58 No
42 yes

[musiclady]

Drudge reports

58 No
42 yes

What percent of the votes are in?

[SPQR]

What percent of the votes are in?

5 counties reporting. In those counties though, they are voting "NO"My guess it would be 12 AM PST when we get a better picture. it seems that they are rapidly counting votes

55 no
45 yes

[SPQR]

NO.53.18
Yes 46.82

No 426,217
Yes 370,526


After 12 of 32 counts- They are about half way done.A  down to the wire.

[SPQR]

No 622,040
Yes 490,817

After 17 of 32 counts Results in detail

[SPQR]

To see the count live look at this link:

http://www.bbc.com/news/events/scotland-decides/results

[SPQR]

Yes 55.02%

No 44.98

After 19 of 32 counts

[SPQR]

NO 56.25
Yes 43.75

After 26 of 32 counts

[SPQR]

Yes 45.79
No.53.18


The BBC calls the vote as NO unofficially according to Drudge

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-29270441

[SPQR]

With 26 out of the country's 32 council areas having declared, the "No" side has 54% of the vote, with the "Yes" campaign on 46%.The BBC is predicting on the basis of the result declared so far that the "No" side will win the referendum with 55% of the vote while "Yes" will secure 45% of the vote

[SPQR]

No 54.30
Yes 45.70

After 26 of 32 counts

[SPQR]

Scottish referendum: Voters to reject independence - BBC

With 26 out of the country's 32 council areas having declared after Thursday's vote, the "No" side has a 54% of the vote, with the "Yes" campaign on 46%.

By 05:15 BST (06:15 GMT), the "No" campaign had more than 1,397,000 votes, with "Yes" on just over 1,176,000.

A total of 1,852,828 votes is needed for victory. The vote is the culmination of a two-year campaign.

The BBC is predicting on the basis of the result declared so far that the "No" side will win the referendum with 55% of the vote while "Yes" will secure 45% of the vote.

This margin of victory is some three points greater than that anticipated by the final opinion polls.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a supporter of independence, told the BBC the projected result was "a deep personal and political disappointment" but said "the country has been changed forever".

Ms Sturgeon said she would work with "anyone in any way" to secure more powers for Scotland.

Glasgow, Scotland's largest council area and the third largest city in Britain, voted in favour of independence by 194,779 to 169,347, with Dundee, West Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire also voting "Yes".

But Aberdeen City voted "No" by a margin of more than 20,000 votes, while there have also been big wins for the pro-UK campaign in many other areas.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who led the pro-independence "Yes" campaign, is expected to make a statement from his official residence at Bute House in Edinburgh at 10:00 BST (11:00 GMT).

In his first public comment since the results started coming in, Mr Salmond tweeted: "Well done to Glasgow, our Commonwealth city, and to the people of Scotland for such incredible support."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I've spoken to Alistair Darling (head of the pro-UK Better Together campaign) - and congratulated him on a well-fought campaign."

Mr Cameron is expected to respond to Scotland's decision in a live televised address following the final result.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC the projected result was "a deep personal and political disappointment" but said "the country has been changed forever".

Ms Sturgeon said she would work with "anyone in any way" to secure more powers for Scotland.


http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-29270441

[SPQR]

Scottish referendum: Expected times for council declarations
Declaration times by council area
 
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - 02:00 (Declared 03:03) Result - No: 53.42% Yes: 46.58%
North Lanarkshire - 02:00 (Declaration 04:44) Result - Yes: 51.07% No: 48.93%
Inverclyde - 02:00 (Declared 03:34) Result - No: 50.08% Yes: 49.92%
Orkney - 02:00 (Declared 02:07) Result - No: 67.20% Yes: 32.80%
East Lothian - 02:00 (Declared 04:15) Result - No: 61.72 Yes: 38.28
Perth & Kinross- 02:00 (Declared 04.48) Result - No: 60.19% Yes: 39.81%
Moray - 02:00 Follow updates here
Clackmannanshire - 02:30 (Declared 01:31) Result - No: 53.80% Yes: 46.20%
West Dunbartonshire - 03:00 (Declared 04:08) Result - Yes: 53.09% No: 46.04%
Dumfries & Galloway - 03:00 (Declared 04:30) Result - No: 65.67% Yes: 34.33%
Angus - 03:00 (Declared 04:27) Result - No: 56.32% Yes: 43.68%
South Lanarkshire - 03:00 (Declared 04:46) Result - No: 54.67% Yes: 45.33%
East Renfrewshire - 03:00 (Declared 04:32) Result - No: 63.19% Yes: 36.81%
Dundee - 03:00 (Declared 03:52) Result - Yes: 57.35% No: 42.65%
Falkirk - 03:00 (Declared 04:20) Result - No: 53.47% Yes: 46.53%
Renfrewshire - 03:00 (Declared 03:52) Result - No: 52.81% Yes: 47.19%
East Ayrshire - 03:00 (Declared 05:09) Result - No: 52.78% Yes: 47.22%
Aberdeenshire - 03:00 Follow updates here
Stirling - 03:00 (Declared 04:17) Result - No: 59.77% Yes: 40.23%
Midlothian - 03:30 (Declared 04:10) Result - No: 56.30% Yes: 43.70%
Argyll & Bute - 03:30 Follow updates here
West Lothian - 03:30 (Declared 04: 30) Result - No: 55.18% Yes: 44.32%
South Ayrshire - 03:30 (Declared 05:06) Result - No: 57.87% Yes: 42.13%
Shetland - 03:30 (Declared 02:41) Result- No: 63.71% Yes: 36.29%
East Dunbartonshire - 03:30 (Declared 04:34) Result - No: 61.20% Yes: 38.80%
Fife - 04:00 Follow updates here
Highland - 04:00 Follow updates here
North Ayrshire - 04:30 (Declaration 04:58) Result - No: 51.01% Yes: 48.99%
Scottish Borders - 05:00 (Declaration 04:55) Result - No: 66.56% Yes: 33.44%
Edinburgh - 05:00 Follow updates here
Glasgow - 05:00 (Declaration 04:52) Result - Yes: 53.49% No: 46.51%
Aberdeen City - 06:00 (Declared 04:28) Result - No: 58.61% Yes: 41.39%

[SPQR]

No 55.40
Yes 44.60


After 29 of 32 counts. The final count should be around 1AM EST