2014-09-19 11:14:00

Scottish Bishop reflects on referendum result


(Vatican Radio) Scottish voters have said “No” to independence and have decided to remain part of the United Kingdom after an historic referendum. The vote saw people come out 55 percent against independence to 45 percent in favour.

There was also an unprecedented turnout at the polls of just under 85 percent.

Speaking outside Number 10 Downing Street following the result British Prime Minister David Cameron said the government would live up to earlier promises to give Scotland new powers on taxes, spending and welfare.

``We will ensure that those commitments are honoured in full,'' he said.

Giving his reaction to the result, Bishop John Keenan of Paisley told Lydia O'Kane that the people of Scotland can be very proud of the campaign that both sides fought.

Listen to the full interview with Bishop John Keenan

“Every man, woman and child was engaged in the debate about the future of our nation”. He also added that “the Churches will be involved obviously in encouraging people to move on, to accept the decision, to accept each other and move for a better Scotland…”

For Bishop Keenan, this campaign has shown the two positive sides of Scotland, those being “our love for our country, and then the other one, our love for brotherhood across the world”. “…we are most Scottish when we reach out in fraternity and brotherhood across borders and across divides and I think that’s what eventually won the hearts of the Scottish people”, he said.

Asked about the road ahead for Scotland, he said there is a sense across the political spectrum that things have to change, and that people are looking for a "a better sense of distribution of income and wealth, a better sense of being able to participate in their own political decisions."

 

 

 








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