Facts On Scottish Independence Referendum

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Now we are witnessing a turning point in the history of Scotland. Today, 18th September 2014, this country is holding a referendum where voters respond to a single question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”
Perhaps, it would the end the story of the United Kingdom, created by the political union in England and Scotland in 1707. Union of Scotland and England has more than three hundred years of history. It was only in the last few decades there have been calls for independence. In 2012 British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed with the idea of a referendum, allowing the Scottish National Party to realize the old dream.

Long way to a referendum
In 1934 the Scottish National Party (SNP) – the main initiator of the movement for secession – was founded. However, initially they only touched upon the expansion of autonomy within the framework of a single state. No specific action was happening.

Yes or No?: Scottish independence referendum

Everything changed after the discovery of oil on the Scottish shelf in 1960. Thanks to the SNP a referendum on the establishment of the local parliament, which was to dispose of the oil revenues, was held in 1979.
More than 51% of voters have voted for creation of the Scottish Assembly, but the UK Labour government refused to recognize the results of the polls. Soon the UK witnessed a political crisis, resignation of the government and new parliamentary elections won by the Conservatives led by Margaret Thatcher.
The second attempt for referendum was held only in 1997, and it was successful: its own parliament and the cabinet have been created in the region. The powers of the new Assembly were significantly limited in the area of taxation, and only ten years later the leader of the SNP, Alex Salmond, suggested the idea of the separation of Scotland, and his party published a draft law on sovereignty.

Pro-Independece agitation in Scotland

The SNP took several years to take the necessary majority in the local parliament. This goal was achieved in autumn 2012. Salmond has signed an agreement with British Prime Minister David Cameron. So the referendum was scheduled for this autumn (2014).
Who is who?
“Yes Scotland” are the advocates of secession: the group combines the SNP, the Scottish Green Party and the Scottish Socialist Party. Sources of Funding – SNP party office and couple Colin and Christine Weir, who won a whopping sum of 184 million Euros in the lottery a few years ago.

Pro-independence group

“Better Together”, “unionists” – an alliance of Scottish offices of British parties: Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats. After its establishment, the opponents of separation from the UK received more than a million pounds, which includes 500,000 donated by Ian Taylor, the oil magnate and known supporter of the Tories.

Their opponents from ‘BetterTogether’

Unpredictable results
As of March this year, 4.12 million citizens over the age of 18 and 100,000 adolescents, aged 16 and 17 years, can participate in the plebiscite.
The difference between the number of supporters and opponents of independence is vanishingly small. Just a month ago, 35% of people in Scotland were in favor of separation from London, and 55% were against it. In early September, the proportion changed: 51% were for the separation, 49% against.
Currently, the number of supporters of independence has slightly reduced to 48%, so everything would be decided on the voting day. The official results are to be announced on September 19, 2014, Friday.
Opinion from Nigeria
A renowned Nigerian politician, former minister Femi Fani-Kayode, expressed support for the independence of Scotland a couple of days before the Scottish referendum.

FFK shares his thoughts on possible independence of Scotland

In his statement, published on the official Facebook page, FFK wrote:
“This is the time for a strong, proud and dashing new nation to arrive on the scene. O flower of Scotland, now is your time. Take your destiny into your own hands and move on. Conquer your fears and opt for hope.
“Forget not the sacrifice and labors of your heroes past. Remember William Walllace. Remember the battle of Falkirk. Remember the battle of Stirling Bridge. Remember Robert the Bruce. Remember the battle of Bannockburn. Remember Braveheart. Remove your shackles, vote ”yes” and be free of your oppressors forever.”
Continuing his message, FFK mentioned that he was in favor of the need for self-determination of Catalonia and Basque region (from Spain), Wales and Northern Ireland (from the UK), Quebec (from Canada), Flemish (from Belgium), Oduduwa, Biafra and Niger Delta Republic.