Scottish independence referendum facts for kids
The Scottish independence referendum, 2014 is a referendum which decided whether Scotland would be an independent country or would stay a member of the United Kingdom. The voting took place on 18 September 2014.
The result was that Scotland should stay as part of the United Kingdom.
The YES campaign
The YES campaign was led by the Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. He resigned after the vote. Supporters of the YES campaign wanted Scotland to be an independent country.
The NO campaign
Supporters of the NO campaign wanted Scotland to stay a part of the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron, deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband all wanted Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also been campaigning for Scotland to remain part of the UK.
Result
Should Scotland be an independent country?
- No = 55.3% (2,001,926 votes)
- Yes = 44.7% (1,617,989 votes)
- total votes = 3,623,344
- electorate = 4,283,392
Result: Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom.
Images for kids
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Tenement block in Leith with both Yes and No referendum posters and Union flag
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A Trident missile-armed Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarine leaving its base in the Firth of Clyde
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Pro-independence campaigners in Peebles.
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Jim Murphy speaking against Scottish independence in Glasgow.
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English language brochure produced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office comparing the 2014 Crimean status referendum with the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
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Acts of violence were committed in Glasgow's George Square after the referendum result.
See also
In Spanish: Referéndum para la independencia de Escocia de 2014 para niños