Scotland to hold an independence referendum before the end of 2014

Monday, October 15th 2012 - 18:32 UTC

Full article 78 comments

Alex Salmond and PM Cameron sign the agreement and prepare for the battle

A referendum on Scottish independence will take place before the end of 2014 following an agreement signed on Monday by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish leader Alex Salmond.

Voters as young as 16 will answer a single yes/no question on whether to end the 305-year union with England.

Currently, polls show between 30-40% of Scots are in favor of independence.

After his Scottish National Party landslide election victory in Scotland last year, Salmond gained the right to hold a referendum.

Legislation, which will include decisions such as the exact date of the vote, the wording of the question and the rules of campaign financing, will take place in Scotland’s parliament at Holyrood.

The country has had its own devolved parliament since ninet1999 after another referendum the year before. Some are complaining that the forthcoming referendum will not give people the chance to vote for increased devolution.

Scotland’s drive for sovereignty led by nationalist leader Salmond, echoes separatist moves by other European regions such as Catalonia and Flanders at a time when a crisis-hit European Union is undergoing deep changes to its identity.

Nationalists have timed the vote to coincide with the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn when Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce defeated English invaders.

Categories: Politics, International.

Tags: Alex Salmond, David Cameron, Scotland referendum.

Top Comments

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Ayayay
Look how peaceful and mature it can go (:
Oct 15th, 2012 - 06:39 pm 0
slattzzz
they will vote on it, if they get it so be it it's called SELF DETERMINATION.
Oct 15th, 2012 - 06:47 pm 0
so_far
FEW INDICATORS

1- in 2014 Scotalnd referendum for leave the uk, now >40 % gonna out

2- 2013-2014 period UN Security Council Reform is taking BIG steps (uk will loose privilagies and will be obligated to obey UN resolutions about Malvinas).

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga11022.doc.htm

3- United Nations c-24 Comitee of Decolonization strong side with Argentina about Malvinas issue

4- Complete LatAm strong side with Argentina about Malvinas issue

5- Restrictions to illegal aliens inhabitans in Malvinas islands will agressive increase in the next years in the region, not just from Argentina.

6- Big Players BRIC strong side with Argentina about Malvinas (China, Rusia, Brasil)

7- Itellectuals, Serious Media and Academics from Uk side with Argentina about Malvinas and public show their serious conclusions

8- Strong cuts and hard economics times ahead in the uk will make a mess in the country.

9- Ireland unification is inevitable and certanly will leave the uk.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/ga11022.doc.htm

Now is really a good time for uk to sit down for negotiation with Argentina, make a good deal and agree an honorable withdrawal from Malvinas and make peace with the international community.
Oct 15th, 2012 - 07:47 pm 0

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