THE SCOTTISH REFERENDUM EXPLAINED IN 11 POINTS

The Scottish Independence Referendum

The Saltire

1.  What is it?

A referendum to decide whether Scotland will become an independent nation.

2.  When is it?

On Thursday, 18th September 2014.

3.  What will be the question in the referendum?

"Should Scotland be an independent country?"

People will have to vote "Yes" or "No".

4.  Why is there going to be a referendum?

Scotland has been in a parliamentary Union with England since 1707 but, although the country also has a devolved Parliament, many Scots think that Scotland should be able to make all its own decisions and control all its own wealth.

5.  Who can vote?

People aged 16 or over who live in Scotland and are British, EU or Commonwealth citizens with permission to remain in the UK. Therefore Scots who live in other parts of the UK cannot vote. Members of the UK armed forces and UK government personnel serving overseas and who are normally registered to vote in Scotland can also vote in the referendum but other Scots living abroad cannot.

6.  What will happen if the result is "Yes"?

There will be a timetable for independence.  Scottish Independence Day has been scheduled for 24th March 2016.

7.  What will happen if the result is "No"?

Scotland will remain part of the UK but the British government has promised to quickly grant more powers to the Scottish Parliament [greater devolution or "devo-max"].

8.  If the result is "Yes", will Scotland still have the Queen?

Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, has indicated that he would like the Queen to remain as head of state. Her title in Scotland may be changed to "Elizabeth, Queen of Scots".  But there may be another referendum at a later date to decide about the monarchy.

9.  If the result is "Yes", will Scotland still be in the EU?

Almost certainly yes, but Scotland will have to reapply for membership as an independent nation.

10.  If the result is "Yes", what will happen to the Union Jack [the UK flag]?

The Union Jack is made up of the Scottish Saltire [sometimes known as the cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland], the cross of St. George [the patron saint of England] and the Irish Saltire or cross of St Patrick [the patron saint of Ireland], so the flag will have to change if there is a"Yes" vote. We don't know in what way it would change.

11.  Who will win?

We don't know!

Update

On 18th September 2014 the people of Scotland voted "No" to independence.

TWELVE FACTS ABOUT NELSON MANDELA

Image:  South Africa The Good News / www.sagoodnews.co.za

TWELVE FACTS ABOUT NELSON MANDELA

1.  His original first name was Rolihlahla.

2.  A teacher gave him the name Nelson.

3.  His father was a Mvezo chief.

4.  He had 13 brothers and sisters.

5.  At university he studied law and he continued these studies when he was in prison.

6.  He wanted equal rights for all people in South Africa. He fought to end apartheid, a cruel system of racial segregation under which black people could not vote or own land.

7.  He spent 27 years in prison because of his political activism.

8.  Nelson Mandela's prison guard, Christo Brand, became his friend.

9.  After his release from prison, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black President and the country's first democratically elected President.

10. He believed that education and sport, as well as politics, could change the world.

11. He is sometimes known as Madiba, a Xhosa [tribe] title of respect.

12. Nelson Mandela received over 250 honours, including the Nobel Peace Prize, during his life.

Nelson Mandela, 18th July 1918 - 5th December 2013

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