Alex Salmond

[brionon]

Tried to divide the UK -succeeded in dividing Scotland-Berk !

[wolf63]

I voted NO but I don't feel the need to dislike Alex Salmond. He did what he thought was the best for our country. Some time in the future there will be another referendum and the result may be different.

[joggerjayne]

Having established that the majority of "his" people

(a whopping 10% majority ... not just 2 or 4 %)

... do not support his most impassioned policy ...

He can no longer claim to have the mandate of the Scottish people.

He must resign.

[Baldric]

That result, Nice B'day Present for you, Wolf, have a good day

[joggerjayne]

Another referendum?

Surely not.

If the vote was YES ... would there be another referendum then?

Or do the SNP "accept the democratic decision" only if it goes their way?

Was this referendum just to establish a temporary position?

Or is it going to be referendum, after referendum, after referendum, after referendum ... until the SNP get their way?

Or do the SNP not trust the Scottish people? Do the SNP think the voters have made a mistake?

It's all over, isn't it?

[naomi24]

Never mind, Alex - big ego if nothing else.

[steg]

He must resign ? You would think he must stay on as jobs not done yet

[Baldric]

I'm no fan of AS, but the facts, Highest % turnout at the Polls for a long time, and he took almost 50% of the Population with him, suggests he's not that much of a Berk!

[wolf63]

Thanks Baldric.

This thread is quite pleasant but some posters on other threads have shown some animosity toward Scots. Maybe I should stay out of the News section, the eejits would then not get on my nerves.

[jim360]

I don't think it should be it forever. A generation from now there will be a whole new part of the electorate who may well have different views. This should be it for at least 30 years, though, but the idea that one referendum should be the last word seems risky. The direction the UK takes might end up changing in a way that increases the clamour for independence in the future.

Rather like the EU, in fact. I'm hoping to stay in the EU (after some renegotations) but it's *** annoying that some sides of the argument respond to calls for a referendum with "we had one...". Yes. In the 1970's, long before I was born, and since then the EEC has changed markedly. Another referendum is probably appropriate. And so, too, it may be appropriate in Scotland once again, but not for a long while to come.

[joggerjayne]

Almost 50% of the population.

Hang on, what's the word for that?

Can't remember. Thinks, thinks ...

Oh, yes ... a "minority"

[bert_h]

Baldric // . . . took almost 50% of the population with him . . . //

Doesn't mean a thing. If you took a Scottish referendum on each and every contentious issue - nuclear weapons, nuclear power, gay rights, independent schools, health services, etcetera - there wouldn't be a bigger split than 65% to 35% on any of them. The Scots simply can never agree among themselves about anything. Against that background, 55% to 45% has to be seen as completely decisive.

[jomifl]

Actually, not 50% of the population. 1.5 million out of 6 million is wait for it.... 25%

[joggerjayne]

I think their should've been a forfeit.

It should've been ...

If the vote is NO, then Alex Salmond has to wear a lamp shade on his head for the rest of the day.

Oh, and a pair of Union Flag trousers.

[joggerjayne]

"there"

[Baldric]

Ah, ^^^ where would we be without the odd Pedant or two?

[murraymints]

i fail to see his position as first minister as being tenable now, I hope he now quietly steps down and allows a more measured less egocentric minister in !

[steg]

The population of Scotland on Census Day, 27 March 2011, was 5,295,403

[Obiter]

Having added up the votes cast and multiplied it by the percentage of votes cast the population of Scotland eligible to vote is 4,283,923. This does not include children, of course.

[Obiter]

^^ That means that Salmond had the support of just under 38% of all eligible voters.

[steg]

Why would he step down? Look at all these "promises/pledges" that all the main Westminster parties have made to Scotland, we would of got nowt if it wasn't for him.