So where does this leave us ?

[Hairdrier]

The Nats really need to think this one through. It's entirely possible that the EU won admit Scotland as a member state, cutting us adrift is not a good idea at this stage.

[Airdrieman]

So, English independence it is then?

[JackSnakes]

The Nats really need to think this one through. It's entirely possible that the EU won admit Scotland as a member state, cutting us adrift is not a good idea at this stage.

Have you actually read what she said? It seems that everyone has an opinion that appears to be based on what they think rather than what was said...

"Thank you for joining me this morning after a long night - and a long few months - for all of us.
Yesterday, Scotland - like London and Northern Ireland - voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU.
We voted to protect our place in the world's biggest single market - and the jobs and investment that depend on it.
We voted to safeguard our freedom to travel, live, work and study in other European countries.
And we voted to renew our reputation as an outward looking, open and inclusive country.

It is significant - in my view - that we did so after a campaign that was positive about the EU and about the benefits of migration.
Indeed, I want to take the opportunity this morning to speak directly to citizens of other EU countries living here in Scotland - you remain welcome here, Scotland is your home and your contribution is valued.
Unfortunately, of course, yesterday's result in Scotland was not echoed across the whole of the UK.
The UK wide vote to leave the EU is one that I deeply regret.
It remains my passionate belief that it is better for all parts of the UK to be members of the European Union.
But the vote across England and Wales was a rejection of the EU.

And it was a sign of divergence between Scotland and large parts of the rest of the UK in how we see our place in the world.
But this vote wasn't just about the EU - it was also a clear expression of the disaffection with the political system that is felt in too many communities.
Communities taken for granted by Labour for generations and punished with austerity cuts by the Tories for a financial crisis they didn't cause, used this referendum to make their voices heard.
The Westminster establishment has some serious soul searching to do - and I hope very much that it now does it.
But as first minister of Scotland I have a duty to respond - not just to the outcome across the UK - but also and in particular to the democratic decision taken by the people of Scotland.
As things stand, Scotland faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU against our will.
I regard that as democratically unacceptable.
And of course we face that prospect less than two years after being told that it was our own referendum on independence that would end our membership of the European Union and that only a rejection of independence could protect it.

Indeed for many people the supposed guarantee of remaining in the EU was a driver in their decision to vote to stay within the UK.
So there is no doubt that yesterday's result represents a significant and a material change of the circumstances in which Scotland voted against independence in 2014.
My job now is to act responsibly and in the interests of all of Scotland and that is what I intend to do.
The Cabinet will meet tomorrow morning to discuss our next steps in more detail but I want to set out now some immediate priorities.
Firstly, we have an urgent job to do to provide as much reassurance and certainty as we can.
I spoke a short while ago to the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss his plans to reassure the markets and restore financial stability.
Starting this afternoon, ministers will be engaged in discussions with key stakeholders - particularly in the business community - to emphasise that as of now we are still firmly in the EU.
Trade and business should continue as normal and we are determined that Scotland will continue now and in the future to be an attractive and a stable place to do business.

Our resilience committee will meet later this afternoon to oversee these immediate actions.
Secondly, I want to make it absolutely clear that I intend to take all possible steps and explore all options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted - in other words, to secure our continuing place in the EU and in the single market in particular.
To that end, I have made clear to the prime minister this morning that the Scottish government must be fully and directly involved in any and all decisions about the next steps that the UK government intends to take.
We will also be seeking direct discussions with the EU institutions and its member states, including the earliest possible meeting with the President of the European Commission.
I will also be communicating over this weekend with each EU member state to make clear that Scotland has voted to stay in the EU - and that I intend to discuss all options for doing so.
I should say that I have also spoken this morning with Mayor Sadiq Khan and he is clear that he shares this objective for London - so there is clear common cause between us.
The discussions that take place over the coming days and weeks will, of course, be led by government but I will seek the support and ensure the involvement of the Scottish Parliament at every step of the way.

I intend to speak to all party leaders later today and make a full statement to the Chamber on Tuesday.
I will also make a further statement following tomorrow's meeting of the Scottish Cabinet.
Lastly, let me address the issue of a second independence referendum. I intend to speak to all party leaders later today and make a full statement to the Chamber on Tuesday.
I will also make a further statement following tomorrow's meeting of the Scottish Cabinet.
The manifesto that the SNP was elected on last month said this:
"The Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum...if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out the EU against our will."
Scotland does now face that prospect - it is a significant and material change in circumstances - and it is therefore a statement of the obvious that the option of a second referendum must be on the table. And it is on the table.
Clearly, though, there are a lot of discussions to be had before final decisions are taken.

It would not be right to rush to judgment ahead of discussions on how Scotland's result will be responded to by the EU.
However, when the Article 50 process is triggered in three months' time, the UK will be on a two year path to the EU exit door.
If parliament judges that a second referendum is the best or only way to protect our place in Europe, it must have the option to hold one within that timescale.
That means we must act now to protect that position. I can therefore confirm today that in order to protect that position we will begin to prepare the legislation that would be required to enable a new independence referendum to take place if and when Parliament so decides.
To conclude, this is not a situation that I wanted Scotland or the UK to be in today.
Now my responsibility in a climate of uncertainty is to seek to lead us forward with purpose. I know that there is a lot of thinking and talking to be done in the period that lies ahead and before final decisions are taken. The issues that we face are complex.
There are many people who voted against independence in 2014 who are today reassessing their decision. Indeed a very large number of them have contacted me already.

However, I know that they will not want me to simply assume their support or to hear me talk about the challenges we face as if they are straightforward. They will want me to be straight and honest with them.
Now is the time for me as first minister to do everything I can to bring people together in common cause and to seek to lead our country forward as one.
The need to act decisively must be tempered with the need to build consensus - and it will be. That is my duty as first minister.
After a campaign that has been characterised in the rest of the UK by fear and hate, my priority in the days, weeks and months ahead will be to act at all times in the best interests of Scotland - and in a way that unites, not divides us.
And let me also make it clear about this: that whatever happens as a result of this outcome, England, Wales and Northern Ireland will always be Scotland's closest neighbours and our best friends. Nothing will ever change that.
But I want to leave no-one in any doubt about this.

I am proud of Scotland and how we voted yesterday. We proved that we are a modern, outward looking, open and inclusive country.
And we said clearly that we do not want to leave the European Union.
I am determined that we will do what it takes to make sure that these aspirations are realised.
In closing, let me just say just a word or two about the prime minister.
David Cameron and I have very many political disagreements - not least over the conduct of this referendum.
But - as I am learning every single day - leadership is not easy. David has been the prime minister of the UK for six years. It is a tough job and, whatever our disagreements, he deserves our thanks for his service.
I wish him and his family well for the future."

[Hairdrier]

Regardless of what happens, what is said, whether we have indyref 2, I don't think the EU will admit Scotland / let bits of the UK remain, when Article 50 is activated. Get real.

Plus Cameron is bottling out of making any kind of decision and leaving it to someone else.

[JackSnakes]

Regardless of what happens, what is said, whether we have indyref 2, I don't think the EU will admit Scotland / let bits of the UK remain, when Article 50 is activated. Get real.

Plus Cameron is bottling out of making any kind of decision and leaving it to someone else.

If Scotland is independent it won't be "a bit of the UK", and nippy Nicci has already said she will be sniffing round all the other EU leaders to see what the state of play is. She isn't that stupid to go ahead without any kind of thought as to what will happen is she wins - unlike donkeys like BawJaws and Gove, who, to my mind, were hoping to lose by a tiny percentage in order to give them some leverage, and are now as shocked as the rest of us that this has happened - and no-one knows what the hell we're supposed to do. Everyone is just standing around looking at everyone else...
"Dae somethin"
"Naw, you dae something..."
"You said ye wur gonnae dae somethin"
"Naw a didnae - you said YOU wur..."
"Whit we gonnae dae?"


"Fk knows... ahm away furra pint"

[steviex]

The English rejected fear. They faced the fear mongers eye to eye and said **** you. They took a gamble, they as a nation for good or ill should be credited for having bottle. If Scotland gets another referendum we will, sadly, be a nation of sh1tebags as usual and will swallow hook line and sinker every fear story they put out. Scotland will NEVER vote for Independence we just don't have the bottle.

[Red_Zeppelin]

The Nats really need to think this one through. It's entirely possible that the EU won admit Scotland as a member state, cutting us adrift is not a good idea at this stage.

no, yer wrang IMO....being completely independent would be an ideal scenario.

on our own and making our own laws & rules.

business could thrive in an uncluttered environment with a minimum o red tape.

just take a gander at how iceland have bounced back after the icesave carry on.

being completely independent would focus the minds of the government on doing whats best for the country to get on.

[Hairdrier]

Leaving Scotland's ability to go it alone, maybes aye mibbes no. There are a couple of other not insignificant factors in the mix:
1. Most of the UK's MPs lean towards remain and any legislation to leave would have to be passed by them. Technically Westminster could veto 'the Brexit'. That is probably why Cameron is leaving the mess to someone else.
2. The UK constitution and act of union is pretty ropey at best, in terms of how member countries share powers. The Scottish Parliament could set its legal people on the legality of the UK leaving the EU, when Scotland voted against it. That legal challenge could take years - meanwhile the EU collapses. The Europeans are not at all happy about the UK leaving, it is the second biggest economy in Europe and the biggest military power.

I'll fetch the popcorn, this is going to be a long movie.

[Red_Zeppelin]

Leaving Scotland's ability to go it alone, maybes aye mibbes no. There are a couple of other not insignificant factors in the mix:
1. Most of the UK's MPs lean towards remain and any legislation to leave would have to be passed by them. Technically Westminster could veto 'the Brexit'. That is probably why Cameron is leaving the mess to someone else.
2. The UK constitution and act of union is pretty ropey at best, in terms of how member countries share powers. The Scottish Parliament could set its legal people on the legality of the UK leaving the EU, when Scotland voted against it. That legal challenge could take years - meanwhile the EU collapses. The Europeans are not at all happy about the UK leaving, it is the second biggest economy in Europe and the biggest military power.

I'll fetch the popcorn, this is going to be a long movie.

the people voted to leave the EU......you canna argue wi that, anyone that goes against the will o the people won't last long.

[Hairdrier]

the people voted to leave the EU......you canna argue wi that, anyone that goes against the will o the people won't last long.

Westminster can easily slow the whole process of enactment of Article 50 down Zep.
This is going to be a messy divorce.