苏格兰人民做出了选择。这是一个清晰的结果。他们选择继续一起组成我们的国家。像数百万其他的人一样,我非常高兴。正如我在活动中所说,如果看到英国走到了尽头,我的心将会破碎。
我知道,不仅是我们国家的人民,全世界的人民都在分享这份喜悦 – 这是因为我们在过去所取得的成就,以及我们能够共同创造的未来。
所以,现在是英国团结起来、共同向前的时刻。我们将有一个更公平的体系——不但对苏格兰人民更公平,重要的是,将对英格兰、威尔士、北爱尔兰人民也同样公平。
让我们首先记住为什么我们会有这次的争论,以及为什么这样做是对的。
苏格兰民族党于2011年在苏格兰获选,并誓言独立公投。我们本可以阻止公投,也可以将其推迟,但这就像其他问题一样,接受重大的决定才是正确的,而不是进行躲避。
我对我们的国家拥有强烈的信任感——对我来说没有什么比我们国家团结在一起更重要了。
但是我也是民主的坚定信仰者。我们做了正确的事——尊重苏格兰民族党在苏格兰议会的多数席位,并且给苏格兰人民表达自己意愿的权利。
让我们记住为什么提出决定性的问题“去”或者“留”是对的。因为这个争论已经存在了一代,或者像 Alex Salmond 所说的,也许是一生。
因此结论无可争议,也不会重来,我们已经听到了苏格兰人民的坚定愿望。
苏格兰选出了一个由英国的强大和安全作为支持的苏格兰议会。我想对支持团结的人民表示感谢——感谢你们展示出我们国家团结起来才能更好的事实。
我也要对支持独立的人们表示敬意——你们进行了一场很精彩的活动。我要对投票支持独立的人们说,“我们听到了你们的声音”。
我们现在有一个机会,一个很好的机会,来改变英国的管理方式,我们为了更好而改变。
所有党派的政治领导人现在全部身负重任,我们要一起为苏格兰、英格兰、威尔士、北爱尔兰人民的利益而努力,为我们每一个英国公民而努力。
对这些承诺表示怀疑的苏格兰人民,请听我说:我们在本届政府进行了权力下放,我们还会在下届议会做同样的事。
支持统一的三党联合做出承诺,给苏格兰议会更多的权力。我们保证兑现承诺。
我今天也宣布,2014格拉斯哥英联邦运动会主席史密斯·凯尔文男爵已经同意监督权力下放的进程,包括在11月前在税务、支出、福利问题达成一致,并于来年1月公开草案。
跟苏格兰人民将会拥有更多自治权一样,英格兰、威尔士和北爱尔兰的人民也将就他们所关心的事宜有更多话语权。投票者的权益需要被尊重、保护和加强。
在苏格兰拥有一个全新的、更公平的体系的同时,英国所有地区都应该有一个全新的、更公平的体系。在威尔士,也有给威尔士政府和大会更多权力的提案。我希望威尔士能够成为就“如何让所有地区对我们国家都满意”展开的讨论的重点。在北爱尔兰,我们必须努力确保移交的机构有效运转。
很久以来我一直认为,这场全国范围的大讨论中缺失了一个关键部分,那就是英格兰。 我们已经听到了苏格兰的声音——而现在,数百万英格兰人民的声音也需要倾听。 有关英格兰人民为英格兰法律投票的问题——即所谓的“西洛锡安问题”——需要得到一个决定性的回答。
所以,正如苏格兰将单独在苏格兰议会中就自身的税务、开支和福利进行投票,英格兰、以及威尔士和北爱尔兰,也应当能够就这些事务进行投票——所有这些都应当与解决苏格兰问题同时、同步进行。
我希望这将能够在跨党派的基础上进行。我已要求威廉·黑格起草这些方案。我们即将设立一个内阁委员会,而相关的提议也会按这一时间表准备完毕。我希望工党和其他政党也将做出贡献。
同等重要的是,在如何改善我们国家的管理上,我们获得更广泛的公民参与,其中包括如何让我们的大城市获得更多的授权。我们将在未来几天就此做出更多阐述。
此次公投来之不易。它掀起了民众强烈的热情,激发了苏格兰的政治活力,同时也让整个大不列颠联合王国的所有人民都为之畅想。
它有力地展现了我们古老民主制度的力量与活力,将会为世人所铭记。登记投票的选民人数创下历史新高;而实际投票人数同样刷新了纪录。我们所有人都为此感到骄傲。它提醒我们,我们是何等幸运,能够以和平和冷静的方式,通过投票箱来解决这些至关重要的问题。
现在,我们必须向前看,并以此为契机,让所有人——无论他们曾投票支持哪一方——团结起来,为我们整个英国创建更美好、更光明的未来。
The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result. They have kept our country of 4 nations together. Like millions of other people,I am delighted. As I said during the campaign, it would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end.
And I know that sentiment was shared by people, not just across our country, but also around the world because of what we've achieved together in the past and what we can do together in the future.
So now it is time for our United Kingdom to come together, and to move forward. A vital part of that will be a balanced settlement – fair to people in Scotland and importantly to everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as well.
Let us first remember why we had this debate – and why it was right to do so.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) was elected in Scotland in 2011 and promised a referendum on independence. We could have blocked that; we could have put it off, but just as with other big issues, it was right to take - not duck - the big decision.
I am a passionate believer in our United Kingdom – I wanted more than anything for our United Kingdom to stay together.
But I am also a democrat. And it was right that we respected the SNP’s majority in Holyrood and gave the Scottish people their right to have their say.
Let us also remember why it was right to ask the definitive question, Yes or No. Because now the debate has been settled for a generation or as Alex Salmond has said, perhaps for a lifetime.
So there can be no disputes, no re-runs – we have heard the settled will of the Scottish people.
Scotland voted for a stronger Scottish Parliament backed by the strength and security of the United Kingdom and I want to congratulate the No campaign for that – for showing people that our nations really are better together.
I also want to pay tribute to Yes Scotland for a well-fought campaign and to say to all those who did vote for independence: “we hear you”.
We now have a chance – a great opportunity – to change the way the British people are governed, and change it for the better.
Political leaders on all sides of the debate now bear a heavy responsibility to come together and work constructively to advance the interests of people in Scotland, as well as those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, for each and every citizen of our United Kingdom.
To those in Scotland sceptical of the constitutional promises made, let me say this we have delivered on devolution under this government, and we will do so again in the next Parliament.
The 3 pro-union parties have made commitments, clear commitments, on further powers for the Scottish Parliament. We will ensure that they are honoured in full.
And I can announce today that Lord Smith of Kelvin – who so successfully led Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games – has agreed to oversee the process to take forward the devolution commitments, with powers over tax, spending and welfare all agreed by November and draft legislation published by January.
Just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, so it follows that the people of England,Wales and Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs. The rights of these voters need to be respected, preserved and enhanced as well.
It is absolutely right that 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. In Wales,there are proposals to give the Welsh government and Assembly more powers.And I want Wales to be at the heart of the debate on how to make our United Kingdom work for all our nations. In Northern Ireland, we must work to ensure that the devolved institutions function effectively.
I have long believed that a crucial part missing from this national discussion is England. We have heard the voice of Scotland -and now the millions of voices of England must also be heard. 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 in the Scottish Parliament on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland, should be able to vote on these issues and all this must take place in tandem with, and at the same pace as, the settlement for Scotland.
I hope that is going to take place on a cross-party basis. I have asked William Hague to draw up these plans. We will set up a Cabinet Committee right away and proposals will also be ready to the same timetable.I hope the Labour Party and other parties will contribute.
It is also important we have wider civic engagement about to improve governance in our United Kingdom, including how to empower our great cities. And we will say more about this in the coming days.
This referendum has been hard fought. It has stirred strong passions. It has electrified politics in Scotland, and caught the imagination of people across the whole of our United Kingdom.
It will be remembered as a powerful demonstration of the strength and vitality of our ancient democracy.Record numbers registered to vote and record numbers cast their vote. We can all be proud of that. It has reminded us how fortunate we are that we are able to settle these vital issues at the ballot box, peacefully and calmly.
Now we must look forward, and turn this into the moment when everyone – whichever way they voted – comes together to build that better, brighter future for our entire United Kingdom.