In the first major repercussion of Scotland's vote to remain part of the United Kingdom, independence leader Alex Salmond announced his resignation Friday as Scotland's first minister, the head of its government, although he insisted that "the campaign continues and the dream shall never die."
Salmond had run for office on the dream of Scottish independence, and was forced to concede a bitter loss in Thursday's election.
In a brief speech, Salmond spoke of the prospects for Scotland to emerge with greater autonomy from London, but said that "in this new exciting situation, redolent with possibility, party, Parliament and country would benefit from new leadership."
He added that Scots "now have the opportunity to hold Westminster's feet to the fire ... to devolve further meaningful power to Scotland. This places Scotland in a very strong position."
Some 55% of voters said no to independence, agreeing to remain a part of the United Kingdom with England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The issue captivated the nation of nearly 5.4 million people, with turnout reaching roughly 85% of the electorate, a historic high.
In a speech Friday morning, British Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the outcome.
"The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result. They have kept our country of four nations together. Like millions of other people, I am delighted," Cameron said. "It would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end."
On the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, life appeared to return to normal, after several months of intense political campaigning. Many of the "yes" and "no" signs that filled the city before the vote -- including buttons and stickers pinned to people's lapels -- have vanished.
Edinburgh resident Katherine Thomson said she was thrilled by the outcome as she left a local shopping mall.
"Why would we want to be divided? We're such a small island, and we've achieved so much in the past; fought wars together," she said. "We're better together, definitely."
Salmond said he accepted the "democratic verdict of the people of Scotland." But the defeat left many independence supporters sorely disappointed. The momentum of the "yes" campaign had built to a fever pitch as opinion polls narrowed sharply in the final weeks.
"I'm gutted," said David Archibald of Edinburgh, who was back at work doing building renovation after a long night watching referendum results trickle in. "I wanted Scotland to stand on its own two feet, look after its own affairs."
The desire for self-rule was the key argument of the "yes" campaign, which argues Scotland would be better off overseeing its own affairs rather than being managed by a British government that sits far away in London.
However, Scotland's pro-union "Better Together" campaign focused on the economic risks of going it alone. The questions that dominated the debate included what currency an independent Scotland would use; how long the country could depend on tax revenues from dwindling North Sea oil and gas reserves; and how it would continue to fund state-run pensions.
As the race tightened, Britain's main political parties also offered to devolve more powers to Scotland if voters elected to remain within the union. Now, they will be under pressure to deliver on their commitments.
"To those in Scotland skeptical of the constitutional promises made," Cameron said. "We will ensure that they are honored in full."
The prime minister announced that he had appointed Robert Smith, a Scottish peer in Britain's House of Lords who led Glasgow's recent Commonwealth Games, to oversee the process of giving Scotland more power over taxes, spending and welfare, with draft legislation expected by January.
But the hasty move to grant Scotland more autonomy has sparked a backlash within Cameron's Conservative Party, many of whom want more powers devolved to England as well, and the prime minister sought to appease those concerns.
"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," said Cameron.
For Scotland's pro-independence movement, greater autonomy could take some of the sting out of Thursday's defeat. But a "yes" supporter who gave his name as Michael Scotland warned of the dangers of delaying devolution.
"Unless those changes are delivered, I think it won't be too long before another referendum is knocking on the door," he said.
Werth is a special correspondent.
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