What is the Scottish referendum?

The Scottish referendum of 2014 was a referendum held in Scotland on whether Scotland should become an independent country. It was held on 18 September 2014, with the turnout of 84.59%, the highest recorded in a UK-wide vote. The result was a 55.3% vote in favour of remaining part of the United Kingdom, with 44.7% in favour of independence.

The referendum was the culmination of a long-standing debate over Scottish independence, with the Scottish National Party (SNP) campaigning for independence since its foundation in 1934. The SNP won power in the Scottish Parliament in 2007, and the Edinburgh Agreement of 2012 paved the way for the referendum.

The referendum campaign was highly divisive, with both sides engaging in intense campaigning. The pro-independence campaign, known as Yes Scotland, argued that Scotland would be better off as an independent country, with more control over its own resources and policies. The anti-independence campaign, known as Better Together, argued that Scotland would be stronger as part of the UK, with benefits such as the shared use of the pound and the UK's diplomatic network.

The referendum result was a significant victory for the Unionists, but the SNP remains committed to the cause of Scottish independence and is likely to continue to campaign for it in the future.