On September 18th, 2014 Scotland voted on a referendum on independence. The question was simply stated. The turnout was quite high, achieving around 87% participation throughout Scotland. Both of those facts are quite commendable.
The First Minister of Scotland, Scottish National Party Leader Alex Sammon (SNP-Aberdeenshire East) spearheaded this referendum. Sammon instituted one act of electoral legerdemain by allowing 16 and 17 year olds to participate in the vote. Perhaps it was thought that these young voters would be open to "Vote Yes". However polling late in the Scotland Decides campaign that over half of this key demographic planned on voting no.
It looks like Groundskeeper Willie from the Simpsons won't be contending for an Scottish government leader. Moreover, British Prime Minister David Cameron won't have to sing "If We Break Up We Will Never Ever Get Back Together" again either.
Personally, this writer was chary about Scottish independence for sentimental, economic and geopolitical reasons. However, presuming that Scottish voters kept calm and voted no, it will be interesting to see how the Westminster Parliament implements "devolution max" in Scotland as well as how England asserts its interests in Parliament.
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