This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/scots-turn-out-to-vote-in-independence-referendum/2014/09/18/85cf9278-5c90-4cbb-ab29-4f4c0d4ef949_story.html?wprss=rss_world
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scots turn out to vote in independence referendum | Scots turn out to vote in independence referendum |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| EDINBURGH, Scotland — Voters from across Scotland streamed into polling places Thursday to have their say in a historic referendum that could create the world’s newest independent nation, while breaking up one of the West’s oldest and most consequential political unions. | EDINBURGH, Scotland — Voters from across Scotland streamed into polling places Thursday to have their say in a historic referendum that could create the world’s newest independent nation, while breaking up one of the West’s oldest and most consequential political unions. |
| With polls showing an exceptionally tight contest, the pro-breakaway nationalists and the status quo unionists made frenzied appeals that extended right up to the moment voters cast ballots. | With polls showing an exceptionally tight contest, the pro-breakaway nationalists and the status quo unionists made frenzied appeals that extended right up to the moment voters cast ballots. |
| “Today you hold Scotland's future in your hands,” read a leaflet that 50-year-old “yes” campaigner Ivan McKee was passing out to fellow Scots as they stepped into a community center in the heart of Glasgow. | |
| “We think we are going to win,” McKee said, noting momentum toward “yes” that has been reflected in the polls.“We have been working at this for two years, and it’s all paying off now.” | |
| But the first vote at the center was a “no.” | But the first vote at the center was a “no.” |
| “I think England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be united,” said Manoj Narra, a 26-year-old entrepreneur who made up his mind only last week. But he was so excited for the vote that he was up at 4 a.m. — three hours before polls opened — and was at the front of the line. | “I think England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be united,” said Manoj Narra, a 26-year-old entrepreneur who made up his mind only last week. But he was so excited for the vote that he was up at 4 a.m. — three hours before polls opened — and was at the front of the line. |
| By the time voting ends at 10 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT), analysts say nearly the whole of Scotland will have voted — or at least nearly all those who meet the referendum’s criteria of being 16 or older with Scottish residency. | By the time voting ends at 10 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT), analysts say nearly the whole of Scotland will have voted — or at least nearly all those who meet the referendum’s criteria of being 16 or older with Scottish residency. |
| Officials expect returns to trickle in throughout the night, with some of the estimated 4 million ballots arriving from remote isles by ship or helicopter. A final result is due by around dawn on Friday, or after midnight in the eastern United States. | Officials expect returns to trickle in throughout the night, with some of the estimated 4 million ballots arriving from remote isles by ship or helicopter. A final result is due by around dawn on Friday, or after midnight in the eastern United States. |
| The vote is being closely watched around the world, not least in Washington, where President Obama late Wednesday tweeted his support for the United Kingdom, which has long been Washington’s closest and most important ally. | The vote is being closely watched around the world, not least in Washington, where President Obama late Wednesday tweeted his support for the United Kingdom, which has long been Washington’s closest and most important ally. |
| “I hope it remains strong, robust and united,” read the tweet, which was signed “bo.” | “I hope it remains strong, robust and united,” read the tweet, which was signed “bo.” |
| Nationalists, meanwhile, received a last-minute boost from tennis star Andy Murray, who is originally from Scotland and had been on the fence for months. He tweeted Wednesday night that he had been swayed to “yes” by “no campaign negativity.” | Nationalists, meanwhile, received a last-minute boost from tennis star Andy Murray, who is originally from Scotland and had been on the fence for months. He tweeted Wednesday night that he had been swayed to “yes” by “no campaign negativity.” |
| The referendum presents Scots with a simple yet profound choice between retaining their dual identity as both Scottish and British, or dropping the British part after three centuries of political union. | The referendum presents Scots with a simple yet profound choice between retaining their dual identity as both Scottish and British, or dropping the British part after three centuries of political union. |
| The implications of independence are vast — both for Scotland and for the remnants of the United Kingdom that would be left behind. | The implications of independence are vast — both for Scotland and for the remnants of the United Kingdom that would be left behind. |
| Scotland already has its own parliament, with responsibility for managing the nation’s health care, education and legal systems. But Scottish independence leaders — who came to power in Edinburgh on a platform of giving the nation an up-or-down vote on independence — say that Scotland’s 5.3 million people need complete control over their own affairs. | Scotland already has its own parliament, with responsibility for managing the nation’s health care, education and legal systems. But Scottish independence leaders — who came to power in Edinburgh on a platform of giving the nation an up-or-down vote on independence — say that Scotland’s 5.3 million people need complete control over their own affairs. |
| A “yes” outcome Thursday would set Scotland on a course for independence by 2016 and would precipitate intricate and difficult negotiations between British and Scottish authorities over the terms of divorce. | A “yes” outcome Thursday would set Scotland on a course for independence by 2016 and would precipitate intricate and difficult negotiations between British and Scottish authorities over the terms of divorce. |
| North Sea oil revenues, Britain’s nuclear weapons program and the use of the pound sterling would all be on the line, along with dozens of other questions as the two sides divide this island along a border that has hardly functioned like one since 1707. | North Sea oil revenues, Britain’s nuclear weapons program and the use of the pound sterling would all be on the line, along with dozens of other questions as the two sides divide this island along a border that has hardly functioned like one since 1707. |
| Although the independence debate has been largely civil and free from strife, it has been marked by deep disagreement over Scotland’s prospects if it sets out on its own. | Although the independence debate has been largely civil and free from strife, it has been marked by deep disagreement over Scotland’s prospects if it sets out on its own. |
| Nationalists say an independent Scotland, unshackled from London’s austerity-minded Conservative-led government, would be modeled on Scandinavian countries that spread their wealth broadly and offer their citizens a generous package of government support. | Nationalists say an independent Scotland, unshackled from London’s austerity-minded Conservative-led government, would be modeled on Scandinavian countries that spread their wealth broadly and offer their citizens a generous package of government support. |
| At an election-eve rally of more than 1,000 cheering supporters in Perth, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond urged “yes” activists to create “a new dawn for Scotland. A land of opportunity and also a land of fairness.” | At an election-eve rally of more than 1,000 cheering supporters in Perth, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond urged “yes” activists to create “a new dawn for Scotland. A land of opportunity and also a land of fairness.” |
| But unionists — and many independent economists — have questioned whether Scotland can build the sort of egalitarian society that its leaders envision, especially with declining oil revenues and uncertainty hovering over the newly independent nation’s currency. | But unionists — and many independent economists — have questioned whether Scotland can build the sort of egalitarian society that its leaders envision, especially with declining oil revenues and uncertainty hovering over the newly independent nation’s currency. |
| The “no” side’s warnings of economic doom have spurred a backlash among Scots, however, and have prompted the pro-union camp to recalibrate its message. At a final “no” rally in Glasgow on Wednesday, former British prime minister Gordon Brown delivered a thundering appeal to his fellow Scots to stick with the rest of Britain based on their shared values and history. | The “no” side’s warnings of economic doom have spurred a backlash among Scots, however, and have prompted the pro-union camp to recalibrate its message. At a final “no” rally in Glasgow on Wednesday, former British prime minister Gordon Brown delivered a thundering appeal to his fellow Scots to stick with the rest of Britain based on their shared values and history. |
| “There is not a cemetery in Europe that does not have Scots, English, Welsh and Irish lined side by side," said Brown, who has become the unionist camp’s leading voice in recent weeks. "We not only won these wars together, we built the peace together. What we have built together by sacrificing and sharing, let no narrow nationalism split asunder.” | “There is not a cemetery in Europe that does not have Scots, English, Welsh and Irish lined side by side," said Brown, who has become the unionist camp’s leading voice in recent weeks. "We not only won these wars together, we built the peace together. What we have built together by sacrificing and sharing, let no narrow nationalism split asunder.” |
| Adam reported from Glasgow. | Adam reported from Glasgow. |