Scotland Is About To Vote On Whether To Leave The UK — Here's Everything You Need To Know
Dina Spector
Scotland Flag
AP Photo / Chris Clark
Scotland's referendum on independence, a vote that could break up the United Kingdom, will take place on Thursday.
Scotland will vote whether to become an independent nation, potentially severing a 307-year-old union with England, on Thursday. (See our live coverage of the voting here.) Here's what you need to know.
When did Scotland and England unite?
The Act of Union between Scotland and England was signed on Jan. 16, 1707. It came into effect on May 1 of that year, creating the United Kingdom of Britain. The Scottish Parliament was dissolved, and a single Parliament was created at Westminster in London.
Why did Scotland and England join in the first place?
Scotland and England have a complicated history, but the short answer is that Scotland needed an economic boost. The country's finances were a mess after a failed attempt to establish a trading colony in Panama. This unsuccessful scheme "was conclusive evidence that Scotland's future prosperity was best served by union," The Guardian writes.
What are the opposing sides in the referendum?
There are two groups: The Yes campaign is in favor of independence. The official name for this campaign is Yes Scotland. The No campaign wants to keep the Union intact. The official name of this campaign is Better Together.
Who are the campaign leaders?
Alistair Darling/Alex Salmond
AP Photo/Sang Tan, Frank AugsteinA combination photo of Labour Party MP Alistair Darling and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond.
Alex Salmond is leading the Yes Scotland campaign, which supports independence. He is currently the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Alistair Darling is leading the Better Together campaign, which supports staying with the UK. He was the British Chancellor from 2007 to 2010.
When is the referendum?
Thursday, Sept. 18.
What will the ballot say?
There is just one question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" Voters will tick one box: Yes or No.
When did Scotland get the power to hold a referendum?
Edinburgh Agreement
AP Photo/Gordon Terris, Pool
The referendum agreement signed by Prime Minister David Cameron, Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a meeting at St Andrews House in Edinburgh on Oct. 15, 2012.
David Cameron signed an agreement in October 2012 ensuring that the Scottish parliament, known as Holyrood, could hold a referendum on independence. This is called the Edinburgh Agreement. This followed a majority win by the Scottish National Party in the 2011 parliamentary elections, indicating a growing desire for independence.
Who is eligible to vote?
For the most part, anyone over the age of 16 (the voting age was lowered from 18 for general elections) who lives in Scotland can vote. To vote, those who were not born in Scotland must be citizens of the EU or Commonwealth and currently living in Scotland. Members of the armed services who are now overseas but are registered to vote in Scotland can also cast a ballot.
Can Scottish people who are not living in Scotland vote?
No. The Scottish government decided it would less complicated if it were restricted to those living in Scotland. As a result, 800,000 Scots who live in other parts of the UK will not be allowed to vote, while 400,000 people from other parts of Britain who live in Scotland will be able to vote.
What is the main case for staying in the UK?
The Better Together campaign argues remaining a part of the UK gives Scotland "the best of both worlds." The Scottish Parliament, re-established in 1999, can make local decisions about health, education, and transportation, while the small country of five million reaps the benefits of being a part of a larger economy. As part of the UK, Scotland can easily trade across other parts of the UK and has access to more jobs. Scotland also has the protection of the UK armed forces and influence on the UN Security Council.
What is the main case for independence?
Scotland Referendum
AP Photo/Jill Lawless
A demonstrator during a pro-independence march in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Those who support independence believe Scotland "would be richer" if it breaks from England.
Proponents of independence want Scotland to make its own decisions about how resources are controlled and money is invested. Rather than investing billions of pounds in nuclear weapons, for example, they would focus on things like childcare or programs to retain talent and encourage young Scots to stay.
What does the data say?
"Figures produced by the Scottish government suggest an independent Scotland would be in better financial shape than the UK as a whole, with a 2017 budget deficit of between 1.6% and 2.4% of annual GDP, compared with a forecast deficit of 3.4% for the UK as a whole," The Wall Street Journal said.
Those numbers are contradicted by stats from the UK treasury, which say "each Scot will be £1,400 ($2,400) richer per year if Scotland stays in the union."
What about currency?
This is a central focus of the debate. While Salmond believes it is possible for Scotland to share the pound after independence, Britain's finance minister George Osborne has been clear that a currency union is not in the cards. An independent Scotland could join the euro, but it would first have to be accepted into the EU. Opponents are skeptical of Salmond's stance that it will be easy to join the EU.
What do the polls say?
The most recent two polls give a very slight edge to the No campaign. But there's no question that it's going to be an incredibly close race.
What groups oppose Independence?
The three main political parties in London — Labour, the Tories, and the Liberal Democrats — are against independence. Leaving the UK, they say, would have a huge cost for Scotland.
Scotland referendum
REUTERS/Paul Hackett
Scotland's nationalist government lowered the voting age to 16 for the referendum on independence in anticipation of young voter support. However, many teenage voters were undecided.
What happens if Scotland votes No?
That's it for now, folks. Scotland and the UK will carry on as they have for the past 300 years. There won't be another chance to vote on independence for another generation.
What happens if Scotland votes Yes?
If Scotland votes Yes to independence, the country will be in full control of its defense, tax revenue, fiscal and foreign policies, and immigration. Discussions will have to take place to transfer power over from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament.
When do polls open?
Polling stations open at 7 a.m. local time and are open until 10 p.m. The decision is expected to be announced Friday morning.
