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Scots turn out to vote in independence referendum Scots wait on outcome of historic independence vote
(about 1 hour later)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND — With civility and passion, nearly all of Scotland turned out to vote on Thursday in a historic referendum that offered residents of this ancient land the chance to create the world’s newest independent nation by breaking up one of its oldest unions.EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND — With civility and passion, nearly all of Scotland turned out to vote on Thursday in a historic referendum that offered residents of this ancient land the chance to create the world’s newest independent nation by breaking up one of its oldest unions.
From remote and pastoral islands to the gritty, post-industrial streets of Glasgow, Scots lined up in the early-morning mist, and kept coming through the day and well into the night.From remote and pastoral islands to the gritty, post-industrial streets of Glasgow, Scots lined up in the early-morning mist, and kept coming through the day and well into the night.
Then they settled in for the long and anxious wait until dawn, when they find out which country they’ll live in come 2016: an independent Scotland for the first time in more than 300 years, or a Scottish nation that remains part of the United Kingdom.Then they settled in for the long and anxious wait until dawn, when they find out which country they’ll live in come 2016: an independent Scotland for the first time in more than 300 years, or a Scottish nation that remains part of the United Kingdom.
The campaign deeply divided Scots, with pre-election polls showing voters almost evenly split. After two years of virtually non-stop debate and discussion, tempers flared in the final weeks, and both sides charged the other with intimidation.The campaign deeply divided Scots, with pre-election polls showing voters almost evenly split. After two years of virtually non-stop debate and discussion, tempers flared in the final weeks, and both sides charged the other with intimidation.
But on the whole, the referendum debate was remarkable for the seriousness with which voters weighed such a profound choice, and the peaceful manner in which they expressed it on Thursday.But on the whole, the referendum debate was remarkable for the seriousness with which voters weighed such a profound choice, and the peaceful manner in which they expressed it on Thursday.
"The people of Scotland don't realize how lucky they are,” said a teary-eyed Bernie MacKin, 45, who spoke over the shrill notes of a bagpipe at a “yes” rally in Glasgow Thursday night. “Other countries have had to fight for their freedom, but we just have to put an X in a box.”"The people of Scotland don't realize how lucky they are,” said a teary-eyed Bernie MacKin, 45, who spoke over the shrill notes of a bagpipe at a “yes” rally in Glasgow Thursday night. “Other countries have had to fight for their freedom, but we just have to put an X in a box.”
All through the day, Scots calmly and resolutely did just that, while flag-waving activists sped through towns and cities, knocking on doors and offering rides in a frantic push to maximize turnout. Both sides reported that it was heavy nationwide, with predictions of up to 90 percent.All through the day, Scots calmly and resolutely did just that, while flag-waving activists sped through towns and cities, knocking on doors and offering rides in a frantic push to maximize turnout. Both sides reported that it was heavy nationwide, with predictions of up to 90 percent.
“There’s just been an explosion in political engagement,” said John MacDonald, director of the Scotland Global Forum. “And by and large, people have been incredibly well-behaved.”“There’s just been an explosion in political engagement,” said John MacDonald, director of the Scotland Global Forum. “And by and large, people have been incredibly well-behaved.”
But once the question of independence has been settled, Scotland will be under pressure to quickly heal its divisions. Whether the Scots opt for “yes” or “no,” nearly half the nation will be deeply disappointed.But once the question of independence has been settled, Scotland will be under pressure to quickly heal its divisions. Whether the Scots opt for “yes” or “no,” nearly half the nation will be deeply disappointed.
Independence advocates have been pushing for Scotland to make a break from the U.K. for decades, and a defeat could defer their dream for a generation or more. Independence leader Alex Salmond said repeatedly in the debate’s final days that he would not advocate for a new referendum if “yes” loses, even if the vote is close.Independence advocates have been pushing for Scotland to make a break from the U.K. for decades, and a defeat could defer their dream for a generation or more. Independence leader Alex Salmond said repeatedly in the debate’s final days that he would not advocate for a new referendum if “yes” loses, even if the vote is close.
If “yes” wins, meanwhile, unionists will have to grapple with the idea of losing a national identity.If “yes” wins, meanwhile, unionists will have to grapple with the idea of losing a national identity.
“I’m very proud to be Scottish. I’m also very proud to be British,” said Angus Bruce, a 73-year-old retired whiskey salesman.“I’m very proud to be Scottish. I’m also very proud to be British,” said Angus Bruce, a 73-year-old retired whiskey salesman.
If he can no longer be both in Scotland, Bruce said, he and his wife will consider moving to England.If he can no longer be both in Scotland, Bruce said, he and his wife will consider moving to England.
Indeed, the vote carries vast implications not only for Bruce and the 5.3 million people of Scotland, but also the 59 million people in the rest of the United Kingdom who would be left behind if Scotland chose to break apart.Indeed, the vote carries vast implications not only for Bruce and the 5.3 million people of Scotland, but also the 59 million people in the rest of the United Kingdom who would be left behind if Scotland chose to break apart.
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.
A “no” outcome on Thursday would be far less jarring, but would come with its own set of complications.A “no” outcome on Thursday would be far less jarring, but would come with its own set of complications.
As polls tightened in the final weeks before the vote, the leaders of Britain’s three main parties — including Prime Minister David Cameron — tried to entice wavering Scots by promising them greater autonomy if they chose to stick with the union.As polls tightened in the final weeks before the vote, the leaders of Britain’s three main parties — including Prime Minister David Cameron — tried to entice wavering Scots by promising them greater autonomy if they chose to stick with the union.
But the leaders disagree over the details, and the promises have spawned a backlash among some in England who worry that Scotland is being given a sweetheart deal at their expense.But the leaders disagree over the details, and the promises have spawned a backlash among some in England who worry that Scotland is being given a sweetheart deal at their expense.
If the vote is “no,” Britain’s leaders — who have been an object of scorn throughout the campaign — will be under pressure to deliver on their promise, and prove they have heard the message from voters who see London as out of touch.If the vote is “no,” Britain’s leaders — who have been an object of scorn throughout the campaign — will be under pressure to deliver on their promise, and prove they have heard the message from voters who see London as out of touch.
“This has all been about getting closer to the government you elect,” MacDonald said. “For 99 percent of ‘yes’ voters, that’s what they were looking for.”“This has all been about getting closer to the government you elect,” MacDonald said. “For 99 percent of ‘yes’ voters, that’s what they were looking for.”
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 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 people need complete control over their own affairs.
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 a “yes” campaign office in Edinburgh on Thursday, Scottish parliament member Marco Biagi said he and his fellow independence advocates are all too aware of the pressure they will face to make good on their promises if the vote swings their way.At a “yes” campaign office in Edinburgh on Thursday, Scottish parliament member Marco Biagi said he and his fellow independence advocates are all too aware of the pressure they will face to make good on their promises if the vote swings their way.
“Delight will swiftly pass into responsibility,” he said. “If we succeed, we won’t just have won a referendum. We’ll have won our country. We’ll have to live up to all the hopes and aspirations of the people who have voted for independence. That’s a big ask.”“Delight will swiftly pass into responsibility,” he said. “If we succeed, we won’t just have won a referendum. We’ll have won our country. We’ll have to live up to all the hopes and aspirations of the people who have voted for independence. That’s a big ask.”
Unionists say it’s impossible. Throughout the campaign, they’ve sought to portray the nationalist agenda as a fantasy.Unionists say it’s impossible. Throughout the campaign, they’ve sought to portray the nationalist agenda as a fantasy.
Many independent economists have agreed, questioning 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.Many independent economists have agreed, questioning 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 spurred a backlash among Scots, however, and prompted the pro-union camp to recalibrate its message . In the final days, unionists emphasized their love for Scotand – not their prophecies of failure. Polls suggested the shift may have helped halt growing momentum for independence in the campaign’s final days.The “no” side’s warnings of economic doom spurred a backlash among Scots, however, and prompted the pro-union camp to recalibrate its message . In the final days, unionists emphasized their love for Scotand – not their prophecies of failure. Polls suggested the shift may have helped halt growing momentum for independence in the campaign’s final days.
Scotland’s vote Thursday was closely watched around the world, not least in Washington, which has looked on anxiously — but mostly silently — as its closest and most reliable ally faced partition.Scotland’s vote Thursday was closely watched around the world, not least in Washington, which has looked on anxiously — but mostly silently — as its closest and most reliable ally faced partition.
While U.S. officials initially said they would stay completely out of the referendum debate — arguing that independence was a matter for the Scots, not for outsiders — tightening polls led President Obama to gently intervene.While U.S. officials initially said they would stay completely out of the referendum debate — arguing that independence was a matter for the Scots, not for outsiders — tightening polls led President Obama to gently intervene.
Over the summer he expressed support for keeping the UK together, and he reiterated that stance late Wednesday, on Twitter. “I hope it remains strong, robust and united,” read the tweet, which was signed “bo.”Over the summer he expressed support for keeping the UK together, and he reiterated that stance late Wednesday, on Twitter. “I hope it remains strong, robust and united,” read the tweet, which was signed “bo.”
Scottish officials said returns would trickle in throughout the night, with some of the estimated four million ballots arriving from remote isles by ship or helicopter. A final result was due by around dawn on Friday, or after midnight in the eastern United States.Scottish officials said returns would trickle in throughout the night, with some of the estimated four million ballots arriving from remote isles by ship or helicopter. A final result was due by around dawn on Friday, or after midnight in the eastern United States.
Adam reported from Glasgow.Adam reported from Glasgow.