British media hails Scottish referendum results

LONDON -- Shortly after the referendum results have settled on Friday morning, major British media warmly welcomed the "55 percent to 45 percent vote," which remains Scotland inside Britain.

Scots vote down independence

BBC seems relieved as it said "the result became a mathematical certainty at 06:08, as the returning officer in Fife announced a comfortable No vote."

It reported that Wales' first minister Carwyn Jones said he was pleased Scotland voted to stay in the Union, adding: "Together we will shape a new constitutional future for the UK."

While Peter Robinson, first minister of Northern Ireland said he was "delighted" Scotland would remain in the Union and he would hold talks with his Welsh counterpart to discuss the wider implications.

BBC correspondent wrote that the referendum over Scottish independence has had the world holding its breath. "And even though there is deep affection across the globe for Scotland's distinct identity, the news that it is not going to leave the UK will mean many governments are heaving a sigh of relief."

"Scotland spurned independence in a historic referendum that threatened to rip the United Kingdom apart, sow financial turmoil and diminish Britain's remaining global clout," said Reuters.

Financial Times said on Friday morning that "After an army of ' silent' No voters defeated an unprecedented challenge to the 307-year union a relieved David Cameron declared Scottish independence was now off the table 'for a generation,' possibly a lifetime."

It said, although Alex Salmond's dream of independence was defeated, the British Prime Minister acknowledged Scots had made clear they wanted to exercise more powers closer to home. That in turn is expected to lead to a new constitutional settlement for the entire country, with more power for English MPs over their own affairs and a transfer of money and power from Westminster to big cities.

Cameron's inspiring words "comes together to build that better,

brighter future for our entire United Kingdom" have also been highlighted on the homepages of many British mainstream media.

FT said investors and business leaders reacted with relief and welcomed the result of the referendum.

Royal Bank of Scotland confirmed it would not be moving its headquarters south to England in the wake of the poll. "That contingency plan is no longer required. Following the result it is business as usual for all our customers across the UK and RBS," it cited.

The Guardian said deputy prime minister Nick Clegg commented the referendum "marks not only a new chapter for Scotland within the UK but also wider constitutional reform across the union." He echoed the SNP's argument that a vote against independence "was clearly not a vote against change." He said they must now deliver on time and in full the radical package of newly devolved powers to Scotland.

In a column entitled "Reunited kingdom - Scotland gives a clear 'No' in historic referendum" on the website of The Independent, it said after David Cameron announced further devolution in all parts of Britain, not just Scotland, some regional leaders have welcomed the idea.

Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "We need a true commitment to decentralisation and there needs to be a genuine timetable in place, with strong direction as to how this will happen.

"Leeds City Council and its partner neighbouring local authorities in the Leeds City Region will continue to call for significantly more devolution from Whitehall, not only for countries but for cities and city regions, in terms of greater decision-making powers and financial control including local tax retention," he said.

It reported the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, also welcomed the referendum result as well as Alex Salmond's commitment to remain a part of the EU.

"I welcome the decision of the Scottish people to maintain the unity of the United Kingdom," he said, adding that "This outcome is good for the united, open and stronger Europe that the European Commission stands for."