'Nonsense' of Scotland's UK rule will end, Salmond says
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has told SNP activists the "nonsense" of Scotland being governed by Westminster will end in 2014.
Cameron and Salmond sign Scottish referendum deal
The Prime Minister and Scotland's First Minister have signed a deal to grant Scotland the power to hold a referendum on independence.
A big couple of days for Europe’s nationalists
Eurocrats in Brussels have long dreamed of a "Europe of the Regions" and it may be about to happen, but not quite in the form they imagined.
Live updates
Poll: 42% oppose an independent Scotland
An ITV News Index Poll conducted by ComRes appears to show 42% of the British public oppose independence for Scotland, compared with 29% who support it.
'An historic day': The Scotsman hails referendum agreement
Advertisement
Cameron and Salmond sign Scottish referendum deal
The Prime Minister and Scotland's First Minister have signed a deal to grant Scotland the power to hold a referendum on independence.
Read the full storyGovernment to press case for Scotland staying in UK
Scotland Office Minister David Mundell said the Government is confident that the argument for Scotland staying in the UK can be won.
Mr Mundell told the House of Commons:
Now the Governments have agreed the process for the referendum, it is vital we get on with the real debate about the most important political decision people in Scotland will ever take.
The UK Government has already started to prepare the analysis and evidence which people in Scotland are calling for. Over the next year, this Government will publish thorough, evidence-based information which will set out the key issues in the independence debate.
I fully expect it to show Scotland is better off within the United Kingdom and the rest of the United Kingdom is better with Scotland in it.
55% of Scots: 'Independence will have economic impact'
The latest ITV News Index Poll conducted by ComRes appears to show that over half of Scots believe that Scotland’s economy would suffer if it became an independent country.
Just over a quarter of British adults also agreed that the rest of the UK would suffer economically if Scotland gained independence.
Of those interviewed:
- 55% of Scots felt Scotland would suffer economically if it became independent
- 40% of Scots said the rest of the UK would face that fate if Scotland left the UK
- 58% of Brits said an independent Scotland would suffer economically
- 27% agreed the rest of the UK would suffer financially if Scotland left
ComRes interviewed 2,097 British adults online between 12-14 October.
Poll: Only 34% of Scots support independence
An ITV News Index Poll carried out by ComRes appears to show only 34% of Scottish voters support independence, compared with 55% who oppose it.
Of those surveyed:
- 29% of British respondents support Scottish independence
- 71% of Scots believe only Scottish citizens should get a vote in the referendum
- 41% of Brits said everyone in the UK should get to vote in the referendum
- Just 22% of Scottish respondents agreed everyone in the UK should get a vote
ComRes interviewed 2,097 British adults online between 12-14 October.
Advertisement
Welsh First Minister wants Scotland to 'remain part of UK'
Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones has said he would like to see Scotland "remain part of the UK".
Mr Jones said, "I firmly believe we are stronger together than we would ever be apart. I believe the people of Scotland will share that view and vote 'No' in 2014".
A big couple of days for Europe’s nationalists
Eurocrats in Brussels have long dreamed of a "Europe of the Regions" and it may be about to happen, but not quite in the form they imagined.
Read the full storySalmond hails 'historic day' for Scotland
First Minister Alex Salmond said today marks "an historic day for Scotland" and "a major step forward in Scotland's home rule journey".
Electoral Commission to 'ensure full confidence' in result
Speaking of today's Scottish referendum deal, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland John McCormick said:
This agreement paves the way for a historic vote for the people of Scotland and we will play our full part in ensuring that voters can have full confidence in the result.
In March this year we set out our principles for how the referendum should be run and we will assess any detailed proposals against these principles as they are brought forward.