Queen to make statement on Scottish independence result tomorrow

<![CDATA[The Queen is to make a written statement tomorrow afternoon in the wake of the result of the Scottish independence referendum held today across the country.
Polls closed just a short while ago at 10pm and the votes are now being counted up at polling stations across Scotland before the big result on the question of whether Scotland shall be an independent country will be answered tomorrow morning.
A short while ago, Buckingham Palace commented that The Queen was following events very closely and was receiving updates both from London and Edinburgh.
Her Majesty is currently staying at Balmoral Castle, her traditional summer retreat in the highlands, where she stays from August until early October. As a result of this, she and other members of the Royal Family qualified for a vote in today’s referendum – open to those aged 16 or over and residing in Scotland on polling day – a right no senior royal chose to exercise, following the strict convention that senior members of the Royal Family do not adopt political positions.
The result of the referendum, which is to decided whether Scotland should become an independent nation or whether it should continue with being a part of the United Kingdom, will be announced between 6-9am tomorrow once all vote have been counted and the officer is satisfied.
A ‘yes’ vote would see the Scottish government given a mandate to negotiate independence and the terms thereof with Westminster in preparation for Scotland’s independence, which would then take place in March 2016. A no vote would see the status quo of the United Kingdom maintained, with Scotland’s devolved parliament promised new powers by all three main political parties in the UK.
According to the independence white paper, which sets out the Yes side’s ambitions for an independent Scotland, The Queen would be retained as Head of State in much the same way as with Canada and New Zealand; as a Commonwealth realm. Though the country would reportedly not have its own Governor General (the official who acts in the place of The Queen in each of the 15 other countries other than the UK where she’s Head of State).
Throughout the campaign, The Queen has preserved her public position of neutrality on the issue despite reports that she privately favours a no vote.
Her Majesty’s statement tomorrow afternoon will be to acknowledge the result, whichever way it goes, and to add a few words of support for the democratic decision of Scots.
photo credit: Royal Navy Media Archive via photopin cc]]>