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Scottish Independence Published by: The Irish Times Limited (Irish Times Books) © The Irish Times 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of The Irish Times Limited, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographic rights organisation or as expressly permitted by law. Acknowledgements A large thank you to all the authors who have contributed to this book: Mark Hennessey, Patryck Smyth, Martin Mansergh, Arthur Aughey, Gerry Hassan, Chris Johns, Arthur Beesley, Dorcha Lee, Peter Geoghegan, Alex Massie, Eamonn McCann, Paul Gillespie, Gerry Moriarty, Colm Keena, Chris Johns, Fintan O’Toole, Paddy Woodworth, Sarah Gilmartin, Suzanne Lynch, Mary Minihan and Diarmaid Ferriter. Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 3 Foreword .................................................................................................................................... 7 Scottish Referendum Countdown Begins .................................................................................. 8 ‘I’m voting “Aye”, notionally, reservations notwithstanding’ ................................................ 10 Scottish fight for independence stretches back seven centuries in Bannockburn .................... 12 ‘This is our last and only chance of creating something better’ .............................................. 14 Ireland can adapt to either referendum result .......................................................................... 16 Political architecture of UK set to change whatever vote may bring ...................................... 18 Irish seem lost for words on Scottish independence ................................................................ 20 As Scotland’s decision day nears ‘undecideds’ hold key ........................................................ 22 Berwick-upon-Tweed keeping an eye on the border ............................................................... 24 Let the Games conclude ........................................................................................................... 26 Dreams of generations to face test of reality in Scottish independence vote ........................... 28 ‘Culturally’ Labour voters will decide Scottish referendum ................................................... 30 Salmond pushed to guarantee currency Scotland would use ................................................... 33 Artists tour Scotland looking for a Yes to independence ........................................................ 35 Scottish Conservatives hope to end siege mentality ................................................................ 37 Doubts raised about Scottish post-separation currency ........................................................... 40 Yes and No campaigns got it wrong, say pro-independence Greens in Scotland .................... 42 Sterling centre stage in debate on Scotland independence vote .............................................. 44 Arbroath edict latest episode in Scottish autonomy row ......................................................... 48 Offering more powers to Scotland may cause resentment ....................................................... 50 Socialist believes Scots want change beyond SNP's vision ..................................................... 52 Scottish Yes flags hang in former Labour stronghold of Dundee ........................................... 54 Scottish independence: the debate in books............................................................................. 56 Scotland’s Yes campaign nudges ahead in the polls ............................................................... 62 Salmond bounces back in final debate with earnest Darling ................................................... 64 Brown emphasises ‘love for Scotland’ in call for No vote ...................................................... 65 Potential for unintended consequences if Scots choose independence .................................... 67 Dublin silence will no longer be an option if Scotland votes for independence...................... 69 Defence central to changes if Scots go independent ................................................................ 71 Pro-union campaign offers Scots new powers ......................................................................... 73 If Scotland says Yes, what will Ulster say? ............................................................................. 75 Scotland’s right to self determination ...................................................................................... 77 Scottish referendum: ‘We have to emphasise the identity and connections’........................... 78 How do you unravel a 300-year-old state? .............................................................................. 80 ‘We’re great at celebrating defeats around here’ ..................................................................... 82 If the North voted to leave the Union, would Westminster leaders care? ............................... 84 Identity crisis at heart of Scottish referendum ......................................................................... 86 What kind of new state could Scotland be? ............................................................................. 88 Referendum is a step towards a ‘post-sovereign’ Scotland ..................................................... 91 Remote chance of more power for Scotland’s islands ............................................................. 93 Alex Salmond’s greatest gamble: Scottish independence ....................................................... 95 Recalibration of union anticipated in North ahead of Scottish referendum ........................... 101 Posh Edinburgh cricket types spell out a resounding No ...................................................... 104 Scottish referendum: Musings of a reluctant nationalist........................................................ 105 Shetland divided, and not just between Yes and No .............................................................. 107 Could Europe’s only working monetary union be about to split? ......................................... 109 Show of loyalty to royal family by No supporters in shadow of Balmoral ........................... 111 What would a Yes vote in Scotland mean for North’s economy? ......................................... 113 Waiting and watching Scotland’s vote .................................................................................. 115 Literary Scotland on the independence vote .......................................................................... 117 Glasgow’s poorest have big say in fate of union ................................................................... 119 Scottish independence referendum has deep implications for EU ......................................... 123 Canvass blitz through Dundee, ‘Yes capital’ of Scotland ..................................................... 125 Scotland goes to the polls to decide on future of the UK ...................................................... 127 Scotland looks to a new life within the Union ....................................................................... 129 Scotland vote may lessen likelihood of UK leaving EU........................................................ 132 Scottish ‘No’ does not mean as you were for Ireland ............................................................ 134 Early joy turns to crushing defeat as reality dawns ............................................................... 136 A pot half full – SNP looks to gains that can still be made ................................................... 138 Despite defeat Salmond deserves credit on campaign ........................................................... 141 Scotland stirred and UK shaken ............................................................................................. 143 Scotland votes No, England gets the revolution .................................................................... 144 Foreword Scotland's independence referendum campaign energised that country's citizens like no other political event, generating an often fiery debate on everything from social justice and the role of the state in the economy to national identity and the place of small states in a globalised, interdependent world. The issues debated in the campaign resonated far beyond Scotland's borders and although the referendum rejected independence, it has set the United Kingdom on a path towards profound constitutional change. This collection of articles from The Irish Times tells the story of Scotland's referendum campaign as it unfolded and explores the questions it raised for Scotland, the United Kingdom and Ireland and its consequences for the future of these islands. Denis Staunton Deputy Editor The Irish Times Scottish Referendum Countdown Begins Mark Hennessy, June 18th, 2014 A real threat to Scotland’s place in Union would boost anti-independence side Better Together, the campaign bidding to defeat Alex Salmond’s call for Scottish independence in September’s referendum, is getting better as Scots edge closer to voting. Last week, they held a vibrant gathering in Maryhill, Glasgow; even managing to find a new voice – 18-year-old Shona Munro – able to articulate attractively a pro-union message. In truth, Better Together has had plenty
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