Now deliver, say the Scots

As support in Scotland for pro-independence parties rockets, the big question is whether Westminster will honour its eleventh-hour promises

The World Today Published 1 October 2014 Updated 22 February 2021 2 minute READ

Colin Fleming

Research Fellow in Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh

Scotland’s referendum saw Scots vote to remain part of the United Kingdom with 55 per cent of voters rejecting independence. However, a narrowing of the polls in the weeks leading up to the vote resulted in promises of significantly more powers for Scotland if it decided to stay part of the Union. With one YouGov poll suggesting a narrow win for the Yes movement – 51 per cent to 49 per cent – Britain’s three Unionist party leaders promised more powers with a timetable for action to be implemented the day after a No vote. These promises may be hard to keep. Only a few days on, it would appear that agreement on the timetable for change is lacking.

Access the archive

The current issue is open access with previous editions reserved for our members and magazine subscribers.