Who wants to tell EP that Scotland is way more liberal and way more enthusiastic about the welfare state than England is?
And we don't have an answer or massive amounts of rampant speculation already? WTF is wrong with you people? That's no way to run an election!
Its not an election We'll start to see results in the early hours, expect an official result about 7am
7 am? We're 90 minutes past that, my time I need to know if I need to officially omit the e in whiskey or no
Would be nice to see the first exit polls later. I have a suspicion that no will win by at least 6-8%.... might be very very wrong though
Interestingly the Beeb's website doesn't even have the vote on the top position any more. I guess they already know the outcome with a high degree of certainty. I'm very sure we will see a surprisingly clear No. Can't say that would make me sad. The whole thing is populist BS without any plan other than make Salmond the pseudo king of what he believes is his own little fiefdom. I admit it's kind of charming in a Braveheart kind of way to think of Scotland as an independent state. However, the SNP have no plan, no strategy and everything would depend on the goodwill of somebody else; be it the FUK (Former UK) or the EU. I gather they have more 'freedom' (from what anyway?!) as a part of the UK than by going at it alone.
One would wonder if traditional opinion polling methodology might be flawed in this instance, seeing as turnout and the profile of voters is likely to diverge from the norm. Might be worth a flutter on some of the outside bets given that.
I have no idea what way its going to go, as Henry says, turnout is likely to influence things. 97% of eligable population have registered to vote! Whatever happens the people will speak. One thing is clear, if 'yes' wins this it will be an allmighty fail of epic proportions for the no campaign. This should have been a trouncing but no is just not engaging. I work right in the middle of our biggest city and for weeks its been constant activists, campaigning and rallys for yes. Barely a peep for no. Today just walking up Buchanan Street, leaving aside the campaigners, it was startling just how many normal people going about their normal business were wearing their yes badges. Right, time to leave work and finalise a decision, democracy awaits!
Theres rules regarding what the broadcasters can do while polling is underway. Can't report anything or comment that could influence the vote
As there are in most civilized countries Still, I guess they'd have to say a thing or two about what happens if etc. as they did in the morning when the vote was all over the place.
Actually, one poll recently suggested that the people from the Highlands and Islands were leaning towards "no". I guess they want to keep their nation's capital as far away as possible.
Expect a result in 11 hours or so @gul Read a decent joke earlier: Alex Salmond is discussing how Scotland will be described when independent - first he suggests a Kingdom, and he can be King. The Queen laughs and gently shakes her head. So he suggests it be an Empire, and he Emperor Again Her Maj titters, and says no. So he suggests a Principality, and he a prince. Sighing, the Queen gently says "Alex, Scotland will be known as a country, and you as a, well..."
Turn outs going to be huge. The officer at the polling station told me that of the few thousand who are registered there, just less than 100 have still to vote. 1hour remaining. Theres also stories of polling stations closing early as they hit 100%. This is democracy in action and regardless of the result, Scotland speaks tonight!
@ecky's joke raises a question. Will it be a republic, or will Her Britannic Majesty still be sovereign?
The Queen should just give the big old middle finger to the Scots if they leave. No sovereign anything!
Well invasion it is then and execution for any Scott's who resist! Come on the UK hasn't had a good bloody civil war for centuries! Get on with it.....
Very early indications are a No vote. There, I've called it. And no need now to stay up all night watching the coverage. I'm off to bed.
I'm curious how this will affect Belgium if Scotland does vote to split from Old Blightey. The Walloons and Flemish have been rumbling about splitting Belgium apart for some time now.
