Scotland says "Yes"



In 2014 Scotland held a referendum to decide whether it should leave the United Kingdom and become an independent State. Despite a small majority of 55% of voters saying "yes", this was not high enough, and so it stayed part of the United Kingdom This Timeline will explore what could have happened if Scotland declared "yes", both in the British Isles, and around the world.

Introduction
The Point of Divergence of Scotland Says "Yes" is the 18th September 2014, a majority of people voted "yes" than no, causing the mechanisms of Scotland becoming Independent over the next 3 years.

Timeline of Events
Locations of events are indicated by the following flags

19th September
Sco​tland 

- Votes Announced: Overwhelming Majority vote "yes"

- Alex Salmond makes a Press Statement, saying he is delighted with the result, but warns that the road to Independence is not yet over. He also states that he intends for the new country to closely work with the UK and other countries on the international stage.

- Mass celebrations begin in many Scottish cities, though there are some scuffles as pro-Union supporters wave Union Flags. Some cases of xenophobia against Scottish (and by extension celtic-looking people) people in British cities are reported.



London

- David Cameron Makes a Press Speech in which he states that he is "disappointed" but respects the Scottish People's choice, and that the British and Scottish people should continue to work together and remember what they have in common. After this there are many calls for David Cameron to resign after failing to preserve the union.

- Share prices in London Stock Exchange fall by up to 10%, and the Pound starts to fall against most major currencies.

Catalonia

- Catalan parliament approves call for referendum on independence.

20th September


rUK

- There are calls for the UK General Election to be postphoned until 2016,  as Scotish MPs will effect the vote, especially the idea that "Scottish Labour MPs could deliver a Labour government that would have no mandate in the rest of the UK." - Many International leaders released statements congratulating the Scottish People and Democracy used, and their aim to continue to work with both the UK and Scotland.

- Many Multinational Corporations announce plans to relocate their main offices to London, Many Hotels in Scotland notice many cancelations from English tourists.

- Tory Backbenchers start to call for Cameron's resignation.

The Northern Islands

- The Shetland and Orkney islands call for second referenda on whether they should join Scotland, or or become independent/have affiliation with the rUK.



Spain

- Spanish leaders voice their concern and disappointment with the result and their intention to block Scotland from joining the EU, as Basque and Catalonian politicians and nationalists hail the result and call for similar referenda for them.

22st September


London

- Representatives of Scotland and the rUK (rest of United Kingdom) arrive in London to start discussing and negotiating the plan for Scottish Independence, specifically borders, debt and government resources. By the end of the day the announce that they hope for the mechanisms for independence to be fulfilled by 2015.

- David Cameron announces his resignition as Conservative Leader, but states that he will stay as Prime Minister until the new leader is chosen.

23rd September


London

- George Osbourne, Boris Johnson and Theresa May all announce their candidateship, amonst other Tory members.

25th September


London

- Movements are started calling for an English Parliament, and possibly Federalised system

27th September
Catalonia

- President of Catalonia, Artur Mas, announces Catalan Independence Referendum to be held on 9th November 2014



 Spain

- Spanish government announces it will block the efforts of Catalonia. The Spanish Constitutional Court decides to hear the case on 29th September

29th September


Witney

- By-election in Witney is won by Boris Johnson, who is now the favourite for the leadership, closely followed by George Osbourne.

3rd August


London

- Convervative Leadership contest one by George Osbourne, narrowly beating Boris. Cameron finally resigns as PM, and Osbourne succeds him.

4th October
Catalonia

- After ruling by Spanish Constitutional Court, Catalan Government announces "temporary suspension" of referendum campaign.

14th October
 Catalonia

 - Artur Mas proposes as an alternative to a refernda a "process of citizen participation".

17th October


London

- Parliament votes to use a new design of the Union Flag incorporating the welsh flag, but also to allow the continued usage of the old Union Flag (up to the discretion of the building it is being flown at). While there are praises for the flag, especially from Plaid Cymru for the inclusion of the Welsh Colours, many people still support the old Union Flag, which "generations of servicemen died under". As such, it is uncertain whether the military will use the new flag.

4th November
 Catalonia

 - Despite ruling from the Constitutional Court of Spain, the Catalan Government pushes forwards with plans for an informal referendum.

9th November
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Catalonia

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Over 80% of voters in Catalan referendum vote for independence. Of 5.4 million eligable voters, 2 million vote

2nd December
<p style="font-weight:normal;">

<p style="font-weight:normal;">London <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Electoral Commison advices the general election be posphoned until May 2016, and legislation is rushed through Parliament extending its life

12th January
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Catalonia

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Artur Mas calls for "new regional elections for 27th September", in an attempt to gauge support for a declaration of Independence. <h3 style="font-weight:normal;">2nd ​May <p style="font-weight:normal;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;">

<p style="font-weight:normal;">London <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Economic talks between the UK and Scotland are deteriating as Scotland is determined to keep the pound. Osbourne states that Scotland is“free to use sterling in the same way they use the US dollar in Zimbabwe; but there will be no influence on UK or Bank of England policy, and no banking or fiscal or true currency union.”

5th Feburary
<p style="font-weight:normal;">

<p style="font-weight:normal;">UK <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Plaid Cymru announces plans to hold an informal referendum on more devolved powers in Scotland.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Buckingham Palace announces that Her Majesty is planning on appointing Lord Steel of Aikwood as first Governor-General of Scotland.

13th February
<p style="font-weight:normal;">

<p style="font-weight:normal;">London <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Negotiations between UK and Scotland come to common ground, and government agencies start to divide



<p style="font-weight:normal;">EU

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Negotiations now begin with EU and Scotland over Scotland joining, and using the Euro. Spain still staunchly opposes Scottish entry.

14 March
Edinburgh <p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Prince of Wales and representatives of various Nations arrive in Edinburgh for the ceremony the next day.

15th March
'''Edinburgh <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Union Flags are raised on all Scottish Public Buildings so they can be ceremonialy lowered at midnight.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Ceremony at Midnight sees an independent Scotland reborn. Much celebration, though some small instances of violence are experienced.

16th - 17th March
Edinburgh <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Two day Bank Holiday in Scotland to deal with financial and official transovers, as well as, presumably, hangovers.

18th March
<p style="font-weight:normal;">Edinburgh <p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Governor-General and British Embassadar and Consul arrive in Edinburgh.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> London

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Scottish Embassador and Consul arrive

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Prime Minister George Osbourne officialy congratulates Scotland in a press conference, and states his hopes for close relations between Scotland and the United Kingdom

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Press start circulating Stories of the possibility of an Intergovernmental Union between the UK, Scotland and Ireland to succeed the Common Travel Area, to coordinate Trade. <p style="font-weight:normal;">United Nations and Others

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Scotland is officialy welcomed to the United Nations, with it's representative sitting between Saudi Arabia and Senegal. The rUK takes the UK's seat on the Security Council

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Scotland formally joins to Commonwealth, but NATO and EU memberships are still being debated

<p style="font-weight:normal;">

16th April
Edinburgh <p style="font-weight:normal;">- The Queen is formally crowned in a small coronation ceremony in Edinburgh as Queen of Scots, though appears grumpy throughout.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Road signs are replaced with Bi-linugal ones.

19th September
Edinburgh <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Scottish Nationals hold "One Year On" Celebrations, lead by Salmond, Swinney and Sturgeon.

23rd September
<p style="font-weight:normal;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;">

<p style="font-weight:normal;">EU <p style="font-weight:normal;">- EU-Scottish talks finally break ground: Spain backs down, on the condition that Scotland does not "interfere with the internal affairs of Spain" - Spain does not want Scotland inspiring Catalonian (and possibly Basque) independence movements. Scotland adopts the Euro. <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Electoral Commison advices the general election be posphoned until May 2016, and legislation is rushed through Parliament extending its life

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> <h3 style="font-weight:normal;">Slideshow