World
Scotland decides whether to break away from UK
Scotland will on Thursday, September 18, 2014 decide whether to leave the United Kingdom or remain part of it in a referendum that has far-reaching effects for both Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
With the latest opinion polls showing the narrowest of leads for the campaign to remain in the UK, all eyes will be north of the border to find out the result.
The polls open at 7am and close at 10pm, which is when the vote count starts.
Of the possible electorate, 97 per cent are registered to vote – potentially 4.2 million people.
What are the possible effects?
Breaking away from the United Kingdom will have repercussions for both Scotland and the United Kingdom.
Among these are:
- decision on which currency to use if Scotland breaks away
- requirement to reapply to the European Union if Scotland breaks away
- citizenship, travel between the UK and a separated Scotland, and residency
- defence
- public sector funding the position of firms based in the UK or Scotland with business interests in the other country
- how to distribute energy and oil reserves in Scotland.
Credit: BBC
