Scotland says "Yes"

Introduction



In 2014, Scotland held a referendum to decide whether it should leave the United Kingdom and become an independent State. The narrow majority of 55% of voters said "No", meaning that the United Kingdom stayed United.



This Timeline will explore what could have happened if Scotland had declared "yes", both in the British Isles, and around the world. The Point of Divergence of Scotland Says "Yes" is the 18th September 2014, where, after a more successful campaign, a majority of people voted "yes" rather than no, causing the mechanisms of Scotland becoming Independent over the next couple of years.

This timeline is Live, happening (mainly) in real time to OTL.

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. Beginnings of Financial Crisis.

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. The Royal Bank of Scotland announces, while it will keep offices in Scotland, it will locate its headquarters in London.

- 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, amongst 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.

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 Catalonia

- Spanish Army is mobilized and sent to Catalonia.

12th October
Catalonia

- Spanish Army ecounters military barricage at Segre River, with fighting insueing. 2 Soldiers are killed, 4 Civilians and 16 are injured.

15th October
Catalonia

 - As Spanish Army moves through Catalonia, attempting to put down any resistance, rebels hide before reappearing, managing to avoid fighting.

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.

2nd November
Catalonia

- 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
Catalonia

- Battle for Barcelona finishes as government forces retreat or are captured.

19th November
United Nations

- As Spanish Forces lock down Catalonia, Morocco calls for economic sanctions against Spain.

20th November
United Nations

- Moroccan proposal rejected in favour of less harsh resolution until a solution can be found.

Canaries and Baque

- Canary Islands and Basque Country, 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
London

- Electoral Commission 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 ​February  London

<p style="font-weight:normal;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;">- Economic talks between the UK and Scotland are deteriorating 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 February
UK

- Plaid Cymru announces plans to hold an informal referendum on more devolved powers in Wales.

- Buckingham Palace announces that Her Majesty is planning on appointing Lord Steel of Aikwood as first Governor-General of Scotland.

- George Osborne is chosen as party leader, though many believe Boris Johnson could have won.

13th February
London

- Negotiations between UK and Scotland come to common ground, and government agencies start to divide although neither side is happy with the deal presented.

European Union

- Negotiations now begin with EU and Scotland over Scotland joining, and using the Euro. Spain still staunchly opposes Scottish entry.

14th March
Edinburgh, Scotland

  - The Prince of Wales and representatives of various Nations arrive in Edinburgh for the ceremony the next day.

15th March
Edinburgh, Scotland

- Union Flags are raised on all Scottish Public Buildings so they can be ceremonialy lowered at midnight. - Ceremony at Midnight sees an independent Scotland reborn. Much celebration, though some small, isolated instances of violence are experienced.

16th - 17th March
Edinburgh, Scotland

- Two day Bank Holiday in Scotland to deal with financial and official trans-overs, as well as, presumably, hangovers.

18th March
Scotland

  - Governor-General and British Ambassador and Consul arrive in Edinburgh.

London, UK

- Scottish Ambassador 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. United Nations and Others

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

16th April
Scotland

- The Queen is formally crowned in a small coronation ceremony in Edinburgh as Queen of Scots, though appears grumpy throughout. English Road signs are replaced with Bi-linugal ones.

Edinburgh

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

31st May
Italy

- Regional elections in 7 regions of Italy, 5 regions have now a president of Lega Nord, 1 of the PATT and 1 of the Forza Italia

10th September
Italy

- Referendum in the northern Italy for the independence of the Padania, softened by the Lega Nord.

11th September
 Padania

- Padianian Referendum results: Padania has voted to leave Italy.

19th September
Scotland

- 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
EU

- 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.

13th November
Tibet, China

- A large group of Tibetans gathering in front of Potala Palace in Lhasa, waving mainly Tibetan and other separatist flags, are attacked by State Police, leaving 4 dead.

18th November
Tibet, China

- Tibetan Guerrilla fighters attack a Chinese Convoy, killing the driver and taking the passengers captive.

19th November
Tibet, China

- Enraged, PLA units start to move into the area, where there have been reports of Guerrilla Movements. CIA and Indian operatives are blamed by China and Russia for stirring up locals.

24th November
Turkey

- Turkey shoots down a Russian Jet, claiming it was violating 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 reach an agreement and declare Kurdistan and independent state, succeding from several states. Several oil and mining companies make deals with Peshmerga, boasting their economy.

Moscow

- Putin declares his support and backing of Kurdistan, and trade details, including supplying arms.

Quebec, Canda

- Referendum on Quebec Independence held.

22nd December
 Scotland

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

Quebec, Canada

- Referendum results: Vast Majority vote in favour.

31st December
Rom​e, Italy

- The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella have made his first speech for the New Year, the President have talk about the terrible situacion in Padania for the Italians, about the economy, about the future and a happy and a serene 2016

2016
8th January  Italy

- Regional elections in 8 regions of Italy, 4 regions now have a president of Fratelli d'Italia - A.N., 3 of Forza Nuova and 1 of Movimento 5 Stelle

17th January
Germany

- German Chancellor Angela Merkel, reflecting most of the EU's views, warns Spain that they risk being forcibly removed from the EU if they do not find a peaceful solution to Basque and Catalonian independence.

3rd Febuary
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Kurdish Provinces, Turkey

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Protests break out in some Turkish cities in support of ceding to Kurdistan. Local authorities attempt to quell, though some support it and do little.

1st March
Spain

- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is deposed by a vote of no confidence. Vice-President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría Antón becomes acting-Prime Minister, and is assumed to be the next PM

4th March
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Spain

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Spanish Parliament passes act formaly recognising Catalonia.

8th March
Iraqi Kurdistan

- Peshmerga forces armed with Russian equipment such as 100 T- 72 and 80 2A65- Msta- B launch a major assault, retaking Tal Afar from ISIS and begin to March towards Mosul.

10th March
Iraqi Kurdistan

- Peshmerga forces  march right into the outer defences of Mosul, encircling the city. The Second Siege for Mosul begins.

14th March
<p style="font-weight:normal;">   Iraqi Kurdistan

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> - Peshmerga forces  make major gains in the city of Mosul, with ISIL just holding the City Centre.

16th March
<p style="font-weight:normal;">   United Kingdom

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- UK General Election: Labour wins a minority with 279 seats, forming a coalition with the Liberal Democrats who hold 10 seats. The Tories win 274 seats, while UKIP wins a further 10 seats.

20th March
<p style="font-weight:normal;">   Scotland

<p style="font-weight:normal;">- Scottish Assembly Electio : SNP wins landslide victory with 123 seats, and the Scottish Socialists 3. The Scottish Free Democrats fail to win any, though are predicted to win many council seats, particuarly in the south.

Contributors

 * Bryce3 - Collator
 * Person67 - Politics & War
 * Colonel James Hsu - Italy & Padania
 * Supergamer1 - British Politics
 * Awesome history 28 - British Politics
 * Matt121 ??? Matt125 - Sports