Chapter 1009 Scottish Referendum

“I was born in Scotland, so I can understand many of the feelings of the Scottish people and respect the choice of the Scottish people. I think no matter what, after the final result of this referendum, what we need to do is accept the result. And continue to act appropriately in the interests of the British and Scottish people."

After returning to England, Joe Harriman accepted the recording of an interview show on ITV, a subsidiary of SEM Group, his "old club".

In addition to talking about some interesting things about her visit to various countries this time, as well as her own diplomatic philosophy, because Jo Harriman was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the host also asked her about the upcoming Scottish independence. Views on the referendum.

On September 18, 2014, the Scottish independence referendum was held on this day.

On that day, 5,579 polling stations in Scotland were officially opened, and all Scottish residents over the age of 16 can participate in this vote.

Voting lasts one day, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m.

All Scottish residents who take part in the voting will choose a "yes/no" option on the ballot paper that reads "Should Scotland become an independent country?"

It can be said that the Scottish-wide referendum on this day not only touched the hearts of all British people, but also attracted global attention.

In fact, before this vote, British politicians had been making various efforts to save Scotland.

For example, on September 10, Prime Minister Cameron personally went to Edinburgh, Scotland, to communicate with employees of the "Scottish Widow" Fund Company, hoping to use the last time to persuade Scotland to "not leave". He promised to share more information with Scotland. rights, and begged the people of Scotland not to break away from the "British family", saying it would be "heartbreaking" to see a split.

On the same day, Miliband, leader of the Labor Party, Britain's largest opposition party, also arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, hoping to use his last moment to persuade Scotland not to leave.

Although they are political rivals with Cameron, they have a tacit understanding on retaining Scotland.

Cameron and Miliband both decided to miss the regular parliamentary meeting on the 10th and go to Scotland separately to work as lobbyists.

Also in Glasgow, Jo Harriman, who had just returned to China, also returned to her hometown. Although she has always claimed that as a "daughter of Scotland", she would support the choices of the Scottish people, she also called for "internal cooperation within the family." Disagreements" should be resolved rationally rather than impulsively decided.

On September 10, the British flag and the Scottish flag were intertwined in Whitehall, London.

In order to save the situation, the British government has promised to give Scotland more autonomy, including taxation and social welfare expenditures.

Salmond, the First Minister of the Scottish Government, did not buy it.

He said that these proposals from the central government were just a "repackaging" of the old proposals and did not make new substantive concessions to Scotland.

Regarding this Scottish independence referendum, the Queen also expressed her attitude, that is, she will not take a position on it...

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said on September 9 that the Queen of England would not make a speech on Scotland’s upcoming independence referendum.

British media have previously reported that the Queen is worried that Britain may be divided, and Prime Minister David Cameron, who is under pressure, is considering asking the royal family to intervene.

In response, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said that the British royal family is above politics and that any statement that the Queen hopes to influence the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum is "absolutely wrong."

The spokesperson emphasized that the Queen believes that the independence referendum is a matter for the Scottish people.

Alex Salmond, the First Minister of the Scottish Government and a supporter of Scottish independence, also told the media that day that he met with the Queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland two weeks ago.

"Her Majesty has experienced many events in her long reign and I think she will be delighted to be Queen of Scotland and we are honored to have her as monarch of this land..."

The Scottish government has previously stated that even if Scotland declares independence, the Queen will remain Scotland's head of state.

The media believes that the Queen's decision not to intervene in the Scottish independence referendum is not consistent. She has previously spoken on similar issues.

As early as 1977, the 25th anniversary of the Queen's coronation, Scotland and Wales were holding votes citing the need for greater autonomy.

The Queen was credited with helping to defuse the crisis when she used a speech on the anniversary of her coronation to issue a clear warning about the divisions in the country.

Speaking at the time, she said she understood the idea that more powers were needed, but "I can't forget that I am the crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland... Perhaps this coronation anniversary is a good time to remind ourselves , the benefits that national unity brings to the inhabitants of all parts of Britain, whether at home or abroad..."

Back on September 18, at 10 pm, after the voting ended, all polling stations were closed, and the counting of votes began.

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After the "long wait" of many people across the UK and around the world, the next day, September 19, the results of the Scottish independence referendum were announced!

A total of 1,877,252 voters, accounting for 55.8% of the voters, said "no" to independence; a total of 1,661,993 voters, accounting for 44.2% of the voters, supported independence.

In the end, the voting rate of residents in Scotland reached 84.6%, breaking the British voting record in the "Scottish Independence Referendum". In the end, the Scottish people chose to stay in the UK with a ratio of about 55:45.

After the voting results were announced, the Scottish First Minister and the core figure in supporting Scottish independence, Salmond, made a speech admitting defeat, saying that he would accept the will of the Scottish people and announced his resignation.

British Prime Minister Cameron happily said that the Scottish people had reached a clear result. They chose to continue to be with other British compatriots and called on all British people to unite and move forward together...

On the same day, Joe Harriman, who had stayed in Scotland, also made a public speech in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland:

"I am very happy that the Scottish people have made their own choice. No matter what the result is, I personally support the choice of the Scottish people. The result of the vote is that most people choose to stay in the big family of Britain, so this will also become Scotland's choice. I am very proud of everyone's choice based on Scotland's future. I will also work hard for the interests of Britain and the Scottish people..."

However, although the result of the Scottish referendum was just a false alarm, Scotland remained in Britain with a result of 55:45.

But including Joe Harriman and Barron, they all understand that the current referendum result may not solve the problem once and for all...

After all, there is still an unresolved issue, that is, Scotland, which tends to be pro-European, will encounter the result of the British Brexit referendum...