Re: Scots voted 55 per cent to 45 per cent against independence
I think history will generally be kind to Cameron when the verdict on his biggest challenge as the Prime Minister will be written. Despite all his faults (and there are many!), there will be a narrative that’ll give him some credit for saving his government as well as the country. It was a very brave decision by him to allow the referendum to take place despite being fully aware of his government’s unpopularity both in England and Scotland. They carefully kept the debate focused on currency and economic to separate rhetoric from reality. When he saw Yes campaign still gaining the massive ground, his government was quick to promise positive changes to sway the voters.
Besides, all the usual strategic appeasement and pragmatism, I personally believe Cameron’s last message where he tells the Scottish voters that don’t see the referendum as another election to make your favourite party win and where you still reserve the right to reverse the damage after five years. His message that don’t see the Yes vote as a “chance to give effing Tory a kick” (his exact words) was a very, very strong message. It was a much needed reminder and perhaps his most game changing remark on the campaign. Thank God, in Britain, they didn’t start the mindless bickering about use of language, or started howling about how Prime Minister should not be using such terms, he’s an Etonian and Oxford graduate. Otherwise, the entire gist of his message would’ve been lost. I think majority of people agreed with Cameron for saying it the way he saw it, and he way it was popularly being perceived in the Yes camp. In my observation, the No vote started taking the lead once the fence sitters realised that Yes vote cannot be treated as No vote against the Conservatives who are are all set to be voted out next May. This very basic realisation had made a difference to the final outcome.