Double Blow for Scotland

Looking back on the events of the last few weeks and months which culminated in this morning's rejection of independence in Scotland, it is hard not to be impressed on so many levels.

As a resident of Wales, I was consciously aware that a Yes vote would have serious implications for the Principality. To compare Wales to Scotland though would be more than a little optimistic. The last time the Welsh went to the polls over devolution, near half of the population couldn't even be bothered to vote. Last night, a staggering 85% of Scots voted. By any measure, that is an absolutely extraordinary statistic. I sincerely doubt whether I shall ever see anything approaching that again during my lifetime.

Although campaigning on social media did manage to spill over in to acrimony and ill feeling, it was heartening to witness such a passionate debate being fought in such graceful manner by so many people of so many ages. It is also hard to ignore the cynical tactics employed by various factions within the No campaign. There are many ways to win a fight but I don't feel they will necessarily look back on some of their tactics with a great deal of pride.

It is also hard not to feel absolute respect for the outgoing SNP leader, Alex Salmond. There can be little argument that he has been the outstanding politician of his generation. His achievements from a starting point very close to the floor have been incredible - and he very nearly pulled off one of the great political victories of all time.

Imagine if you will a boxing match. In one corner we had Alex Salmond as the sole proponent of independence. In the other corner stood just about every political party you can think of: Tories, Labour, Liberals, UKIP and even elements of Plaid Cymru. Given the inequality of the debate, it is amazing that the Yes vote still garnered nearly 45% of the vote in such a high turnout.

But the debate has been had and the chance has gone. With all of that, Scotland has also lost it's greatest leader. Salmond was the one man who could have made independence a reality. But he should hold his head up. He fought an honourable battle and did so with great dignity and grace. Now the arguments turn to the West Lothian question and the prospect of a profligate Labour government south of the border looms ever closer. If that is to be the real legacy of yesterday's vote, there will be many who rue the day they chose to vote No in Scotland. For certain though, nothing will be the same again after the events of the last few weeks. Rightly or wrongly, Alex Salmond may not have won the battle but he has certainly unleashed the cat among the pigeons at Westminster.