Times p19 - 26.09
- 1. Editorial and Advertising 01530 813101 Fax No. 01530 811361 The Times, Friday, September 26, 2014 LEISURE 19 TIMESLEISURE GUY TALK WITH NICK REID GUY TALK......... PAGE 19 TV CORNER .......PAGE 20 GARDENING..... PAGE 20 ON THIS DAY... PAGE 21 TAKE FIVE ........ PAGE 22 TEASERS ........... PAGE 23 OLDIES ....... PAGE 24/25 MISSED IT........ PAGE 25 SOAPBOX......... PAGE 26 WELL the votes are in, the people have spoken, the decision has been made and Scotland will remain a British country. After more than two years of campaigning, talking, shouting, jeering, gloating and not knowing, the Kingdom of the Scots will still be united with the English, Welsh and Northern Irish...YES! And with promises of more devolved powers to Scotland, England also looks to benefit, with talk of maybe a separate English parliament. Despite only FOUR out of the 32 Scottish council areas voting to go independent, the actual polling fig- ures were much closer. 2,001,926 people voted to stay within the comfortable safety of Britain while 1,617,989 voted for a free Scotland. A landslide was never going to happen, the stakes were too high, the campaigns were vocal, the peo- ple were vibrant, but the fact is there are more people living in Scotland who want to be part of greatest union on Earth. Despite having the Scottish spelling of REID as my surname, I have absolutely no connection with Scotland but I am a passionate Briton and I am so overjoyed the Scots have voted to stay with us. We are stronger, bolder, big- ger, more courageous, dignified and united together. Our illustrious 300 year long history, our Kings and Queens, our iconic cities, our people, our inventions, our Armed Forces, our flags combining to create THE UNION JACK show just how special Britain, GREAT Britain, is. Rangers Football Club recently visited Derby County during a pre-season friendly, which I also attende, bringing more than 8,000 fans all with one message: "Four countries one flag our United Kingdom" They spiritedly sang God Save The Queen, Rule Britannia and I knew then that this independence debate was over. But it is not just me, council- lors across the Times' United Kingdom of Swadlincote, Ashby and Coalville were quick to respond to the great news. John Legrys, who represents Coalville on North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "My head says Scotland had to stay but my heart says they have got a point. "There needs to be a big look at the devolution in Scotland and England, there is too much power lying in Westminster, I want to see an independent Coalville with more powers to govern them- selves." Councillor John Coxon, who rep- resents Ashby Castle on North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "It's good news that Scotland have stayed in the Union. "What I would like to see is each nation in Britain have an equal split of power, being able to operate for themselves but all still within Britain. "We are only a small island com- pared to the rest of the world and together we are so much stronger." Proud Scotsman Mr Michael Mulgrew, who represents Swadlincote on South Derbyshire District Council said: "I am absolutely delighted with the result. "I sat up most of the night watching the refer- endum and I was never in any doubt that Scotland would leave the Union. "The British people are canny, they are not stupid and I am so pleased with the result." But now the question has been answered, many more now come from it! What powers will Scotland get? Could England get a brand- spanking new parliament allowing just English MPs to vote on things that matter to them? Where will Wales and Northern Ireland lie in all this? Would I like to see an English parliament? I think that needs more in- depth analysis before a decision is made but as long as we have THE strong United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, any- thing is possible and we will continue to be the world beaters that we have always been. Dear Scotland, Thanks mate Nick Reid Smoked Salmond DEFEATED First Minister Alex Salmond. Beaten by his own referendum, he has resigned his place of the First Minister as the will of the Scottish people has chosen to stay in Britain. Salmond, the man who tried and failed to break up the more than 300 year old British Union, took the defeat gra- ciously (well he took a private jet from Aberdeen to Edinburgh once he realised his idea was lousy). But addressing his people the next morning he praised the Scottish for their involve- ment in the referendum. He has fallen on his own sword, took himself out of the frame and disappeared into the wilderness. Salmond started his political battle to free Scotland when he was back at university. An ex girlfriend of his (English) jilted him for his rather strong views stating: "If you feel like that go and join the Scottish nationals!" So he did, empowered by his ideologies that an independent Scotland would benefit not just the Scots but everyone in Britain. ("England would lose a surly lodger and gain a friend") His Scottish National Party gained support and this was turned into votes at the 2011 general election. He then got his chance to have the referendum. But it wasn't enough... Many say that indepen- dence is on its way and now this vote has failed, there will be others in the future. No...No...No...Scotland chose to stay British. Even if there are other votes, the issues will still be the same: currency, defence, NHS, European Union and NATO member- ship will all have to be addressed and that is not going to be easy. Salmond is a fish out of his depth and has been caught by the Scottish electorate. HER MAJESTY Queen Elizabeth II has issued a statement on Scotland's desire to stay within the British Union. Being the noble sover- eign of this Great nation, it is only right for her to have the last word in this feature: "As we move forward, we should remember that despite the range of views that have been expressed, we have in common an enduring love of Scotland, which is one of the things that helps to unite us all. Knowing the people of Scotland as I do, I have no doubt that Scots, like others throughout the United Kingdom, are able to express strongly held opinions before coming together again in a spirit of mutual respect and support, to work constructively for the future of Scotland and indeed all parts of this country. My family and I will do all we can to help and support you in this important task." The Queen兵s Speech A TIMES SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE SPECIAL Four countries, one flag, OUR United Kingdom!