On September 18th, 2014, Scottish voters were asked a crucial question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” After months of campaigning, rallies, and debates, the results showed a majority of 55% voted against independence, while 45% voted in favour. As it’s now been a decade since the historic referendum, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the campaign’s defining moments.
Starting with the discussions leading up to the referendum, Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond and UK Prime Minister David Cameron played pivotal roles in advocating for their respective campaigns. However, the impact of other groups should not be overlooked. Scottish celebrities including Ewan McGregor and Patrick Stewart endorsed the Yes campaign, while JK Rowling and David Bowie backed the No campaign. Each side used various tactics to gain traction, from National Collective’s art installations to Better Together’s iconic “The Vow” front page headline in the Daily Record.
As the date of the referendum grew near, the status of the currency became a key point of debate. The Yes campaign argued that an independent Scotland could keep using the pound, but this idea was strongly opposed by the UK government. An alternative option proposed by the SNP was for Scotland to join the EU and take on the euro as its official currency. The No campaign also emphasized the costs and risks of splitting up the UK, including the impact on pensions, defense, and business.
Despite the defeat for the pro-independence movement, the 2014 referendum sparked renewed fervor for Scottish nationalism. It led to the founding of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the SNP’s sweeping victory in the 2015 general election. As the debate on the future of Scotland’s political status continues, it’s important to acknowledge the impact of the referendum on the nation’s identity and democracy
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