Devon reacts to Scottish independence No vote

Scotland has voted against independence following a hard-fought campaign by both sides. The Scottish electorate's rejection of independence was greeted with delight by Prime Minister David Cameron, who said that the victory margin of around 55%-45% had settled the issue "for a generation... perhaps for a lifetime". Speaking outside 10 Downing Street shortly after the No vote became a mathematical certainty, Mr Cameron said he would ensure that commitments to further devolution to Scotland made during the campaign would be "honoured in full", announcing the appointment of Glasgow's Commonwealth Games supremo Lord Smith to oversee the drafting of proposals in legislation published by January. Earlier, Scottish National Party First Minister Alex Salmond acknowledged that his long-cherished dream of leading his nation to independence was over, telling supporters in Edinburgh: "Scotland has by a majority decided not at this stage to become an independent country. Exeter politicians and city leaders have been reacting to the outcome of the Scottish referendum this morning.

Thank you Scotland. We now need all-Party constitutional convention for far reaching reform for the whole UK not some rushed political fix.

— Ben Bradshaw (@BenPBradshaw) September 19, 2014

#Union is saved and Alex Salmond speech is talking about bringing people back together. @BBCr4today@JohannLamont clear about change needed

— AlisonSeabeckMP (@alisonseabeck) September 19, 2014

A great result this morning. Now, time for the UK's other voices to be heard #ScotlandDecides

— Oliver Colvile MP (@olivercolvile) September 19, 2014

Scotland, thank you for staying with us. We're #bettertogether#indyref

— Luke Pollard (@LukePollard) September 19, 2014

We are a United Kingdom! Thank you Scotland x

— Sarah Wollaston MP (@drwollastonmp) September 19, 2014

Pleased the Union will continue and 300 years of a great tradition will not be annulled.

— Geoffrey Cox MP (@Geoffrey_Cox) September 19, 2014

Looks like its going to be the red/white/blue #turban#bettertogether

— Chaz Singh (@PlymouthChaz) September 19, 2014

Well done to Glasgow, our commonwealth city, and to the people of Scotland for such a incredible support

— Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) September 19, 2014

I've spoken to Alistair Darling - and congratulated him on an well-fought campaign. #indyref

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 19, 2014

I'm absolutely delighted the Scottish people have taken this momentous decision to safeguard our family of nations for future generations.

— Nick Clegg (@nick_clegg) September 19, 2014

In a dramatic night of counting after Scotland went to the polls yesterday, the Yes campaign secured majorities in largest city Glasgow as well as stronghold Dundee, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire, but fell short in key targets like Clackmannanshire and Western Isles, while the No campaign enjoyed a comfortable advantage in capital Edinburgh. With only the Highlands left to declare, No had assembled an unassailable total of 1,914,187 votes (55.42%), with Yes trailing on 1,539,920 (44.58%). The referendum was on track to set a new record for turnout in any major election in the United Kingdom since the introduction of universal suffrage in 1918, with 84.4% of registered voters casting a ballot – narrowly beating the 83.9% previous best recorded in the 1950 general election. Mr Salmond said the referendum and the high turnout had been a "triumph for the democratic process" and promised to meet his pledge in the 2012 Edinburgh Agreement to respect the result and work for the benefit of Scotland and the United Kingdom. He told supporters: "The unionist parties made vows late in the campaign to devolve more powers to Scotland. "Scotland will expect these to be honoured in rapid course – as a reminder, we have been promised a second reading of a Scotland Bill by March 27 next year. "Not just the 1.6 million Scots who voted for independence will demand that timetable is followed but all Scots who participated in this referendum will demand that timetable is followed." And the First Minister said: "Today of all days as we bring Scotland together, let us not dwell on the distance we have fallen short, let us dwell on the distance we have travelled and have confidence the movement is abroad in Scotland that will take this nation forward and we shall go forward as one nation." The leader of the Better Together campaign, Alistair Darling, said Scotland had chosen "positive change, rather than needless separation". Speaking to activists in Glasgow, the former chancellor said: "Today is a momentous result for Scotland and also for the United Kingdom as a whole. "By confirming our place within the United Kingdom, we have reaffirmed all that we have in common and the bonds that tie us together. Let them never be broken." And he told No campaigners – who had never matched Yes Scotland in terms of their visible presence on the streets and in social media: "You represent the majority of opinion and your voices have been heard. We've taken on the argument and we've won. The silent have spoken... "The vote is over and the Scottish people have now delivered their verdict. We have taken a decision for progress and change for Scotland within the United Kingdom. Come on Scotland, let's get on with it together." Mr Cameron made clear that the reforms he envisages to the UK's constitutional settlement will involve not only changes to devolved institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but also action to deal with the so-called "West Lothian Question" over why Scottish MPs should vote in Westminster on issues which will involve only England. "We have heard the voice of Scotland and now the millions of voices of England must also be heard," said the Prime Minister. "The question of English votes for English laws, the so-called West Lothian Question, requires a decisive answer so just as Scotland will vote separately on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so to England as well as Wales and Northern Ireland should be able to vote on these issues "All this must take place in tandem with and at the same pace as the settlement for Scotland." Mr Cameron said: "Just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, so it follows the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs. "The rights of these voters need to be protected, preserved and enhanced. It is absolutely right a new and fair settlement for Scotland should be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of our United Kingdom."