Scotland says "Yes"

Introduction



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. 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 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.

22nd 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 they 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

26th September
Catalonia  - Mass protests in Barcelona over refusal of Spanish Government to take their referenda on independence seriously.

27th September


 Spain

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

- Demonstrators start to march towards Madrid with the intention of occupying it.

29th September


London

- A vote of no confidence is held by the labor party but fended of by the coalition government. David Cameron promises to resign after Scottish Independence.

30th September
Madrid

- Catalan demonstrators move into outer parts of Madrid, and are confronted by a Police Barricade. Violence breaks out, with some injuries.

30th September
Madrid

 - After a 24 stand-off, police attack Protester's Camp. Along with hundreds of others, Artur Mas is arrested and jailed.

1st October
Catalonia

 - News starts to break that the protests have failed.Catalan Nationalists occupy government buildings. After an order comes through to deal with the uprising, most of the Catalan Police Forces defect to the rioters

Spain

- Spanish Army is mobilised and sent to Catalonia.

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

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Spanish Army ecounters military barricage at Segre River, with fighting insueing. 2 Soldiers are killed, 4 Civilians and 16 are injured.

15th October
<p style="font-weight:normal;">Catalonia

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - As Spanish Army moves through Catalonia, attempting to put down any resistance, rebels hide before reappearing, managing to avoid fighting.

17th October
<p style="font-weight:normal;">

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

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

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Spanish forces reach Barcelona, encountering hard resistance, supplied with old Moroccan arms. Catalan rebels capture a Spanish APC and use it to destroy another

7th November
<p style="font-weight:normal;">Catalonia

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Battle for Barcelona finishes as government forces retreat or are captured.

19th November
<p style="font-weight:normal;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;"> <p style="font-weight:normal;">United Nations

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- As Spanish Forces lock down Catalonia, Morocco calls for economic sanctions against Spain  .

19th November
<p style="font-weight:normal;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;"> <p style="font-weight:normal;">United Nations

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Moroccan proposal rejected in favour of less harsh resolution until a solution can be found.

Canaries and Baque

- Canary Islands and Basque Isles, at this news, declare independence. While the Basque rebellion is quickly put down, the Canary Government puts up minimal resistance, and a Spanish Naval Taskforce retreats after a stand-off with Moroccan Naval Ships.

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

<p style="font-weight:normal;">London <p style="font-weight:normal;">- Electoral Commison advises the general election be postponed until May 2016, and legislation is rushed through Parliament extending its life the vote goes through by one vote as many Liberal Democrats rebel against the decision.

2015
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. <p style="font-weight:normal;">- George Osborne is chosen as party leader though many believe Boris could have won.

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 although neither side is happy with the deal presented.



<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 David Cameron 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;">- The 2016 General Election is a narrow victory for Labor and Lib Dems with Tory Opposition and UKIP taking a small part of the vote. <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

31th May
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Italy 

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Regional elections in 7 regions of Italy, 5 regions have now a presidend of the Lega Nord, 1 of the PATT and 1 of the Forza Italia

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

Alex Salmond states that Scotland will recognise Kurdistan if he is elected, and will support them economically.

10th September
Italy

- Referendum in the northern Italy for the indipendence of the Padania, sostenuted by the Lega Nord.

11th September
Padania

- Padianian Referendum results: Padania have voted for leave Italy.

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

Canada

- Government announces plans for referendum on Quebec independence, after much lobbying.

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. <h3 style="font-weight:normal;">24th November Turkey

- Turkish shot down Russian Jet, claiming it was in Turkish Airspace. Russian-Turkey relations worsen

27th November
Russia

- Putin and his cabinet declares their backing of Kurdistan as an independent nation.

17th December
Kurdistan

- Syrian, Iraqi, Iranian, Russian and Kurdish leaders meet in Erbil to discuss creating an independent Kurdish State.

21st December
Kurdistan

- Syria, Iraq, Iran, Russia and Kurdistan agree and declare Kurdistan and independent state, succeding from several states. Several oil and mining companies make deals with Peshmerga, boasting their economy.



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

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Putin declares his support and backing of Kurdistan, and trade details, including supplying arms.

<p style="font-weight:normal;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;">

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

<p style="font-weight:normal;">-  Referendum on Quebec Independence held.

<h3 style="font-weight:normal;">22nd December Edinburgh

- Alex Salmond states that if he becomes Prime Minister he will work closely with Kurdistan, and possibly send humanitarian workers.

<p style="font-weight:normal;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;">

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

<p style="font-weight:normal;">-  Referendum results: Vast Majority vote in favour.

<h2 style="font-weight:normal;">Articles in the TL Please also see catagories

Nations

 * Scotland
 * United Kingdom
 * (Northern Isles)
 * Spain
 * Ireland
 * Italy
 * Padania
 * Kurdistan
 * Catalonia

Politics

 * 2016 UK General Election
 * 2016 Scottish Elections
 * 2015 Italian Regional Election
 * Referendum for the independence of North Italy

Militaries and Conflicts

 * Scottish Armed Forces
 * Peshmerga
 * Spanish Crisis

Organisations

 * European Union
 * United Nations