Summary

  • Alex Salmond says that Westminster leaders are "reneging" on their pledge to devolve more powers to Scotland

  • Scotland's first minister said he believed voters had been tricked into opposing independence by the late vow

  • Downing Street insisted the timetable would be followed

  • Scotland rejected independence in last Thursday's historic referendum by 55% to 45%

  1. Behind the scenespublished at 15:20 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Take a peek behind the scenes of the BBC's coverage of the referendum results programme.

    BBC gallery

    In a Sunday Politics film, reporter Adam Fleming spoke to MPs Jim Murphy and Danny Alexander, Yes campaigner Tommy Sheridan and BBC political editor Nick Robinson about how the story unfolded through the night.

  2. Watch againpublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Labour leader Ed Miliband earlier told the BBC's Andrew Marr his party guaranteed further powers for the Scottish parliament - "no ifs, no buts, we're going to deliver on that promise."

    Key video

    You can watch this and other clips of today's developments by clicking the "Key Video" tab at the top of this page.

  3. A question of Britishnesspublished at 15:11 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    The UK will never be the same again.

    The Union has held together - just, but almost half of the Scottish electorate have said they no longer wish to belong to the UK, on a record turnout of 84.6%.

    Union and Scottish flagImage source, Rex Features

    That has long-term consequences for the way the country functions and - just as important - how its people see themselves.

    Read the reflections of Richard Weight on what now for Britishness.

  4. Braveheart II?published at 15:05 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    David Jack, late night editor of The Times, shared the work of the Daily Telegraph's pocket cartoonist Matt Pritchett on Twitter.

    He tweeted:, external Matt's great on Braveheart II

    Daily TelegraphImage source, Daily Telegraph
  5. Back to the budgetpublished at 14:55 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Douglas Fraser
    Business and economy editor, Scotland

    So it's back to austerity. The battling over future projections for an independent Scotland's budget can be binned.

    It's time to focus on the budgets which Holyrood will have, rather than the ones it might have had.

    Flags

    And that day of reckoning, to coin a phrase, is coming soon.

    John Swinney, the finance secretary, has been busy campaigning of late. But back at St Andrew's House, at the top of his "to do" list are the final stages of putting together a draft budget for next financial year.

    Read Douglas Fraser's full blog

  6. Sillars' independence planpublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Former Labour and SNP politician Jim Sillars has called for Scottish independence to happen without the need for another referendum.

    In a series of tweets, Mr Sillars, external said: Let Yes assert new indy rule - no more ref - majority votes and seats at Holyrood 2016 enough. What's this about waiting a generation - indy remains on agenda now. Queenie intervened for No as she did in 1979. So no more softly-softly - we go for Republic. I'll explain to all new #SNP recruits why the Independence Mandate matters at the next Party conference.

  7. Get involvedpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Jo: Better together must mean working together. The politicians are powerless. Scotland, you are the leaders now. You have shown the world how democracy works. Confront the problems that face this disunited kingdom. Could there be a formula for equality and inclusion?

    Ruth Mckinstry: Can I say to Alec Salmond and all the sore losers I voted no because I believe in UK unity. I was not tricked. I did not switch my vote after a promise of more powers. I am a native of Edinburgh and have lived in Edinburgh for most of my adult life and I have never been, nor do I intend to be a Tory voter. I believe that the referendum has shown beyond all doubt that there is a disaffected, deprived section of the Scottish community who want and need change. I believe there are such people in English cities such as Newcastle and Liverpool and probably many others. Scotland already has a reasonable deal from Westminster and for me Westminster's first priority should be to address inequalities throughout the UK.

  8. Barnett Formulapublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Former chief secretary to the Treasury Joel Barnett - who devised the Barnett Formula - has told BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend programme it should no longer be used.

    Lord Barnett said: "It was never a formula until Margaret Thatcher and John Major kept it going for 18 years - that's when it was called a formula. Before that, it was just a method of allocating expenditure.

    "The thinking behind it was simply to get me through a year or two to get me through difficult times.

    "All three leaders are saying it should stay, but all three leaders don't have the authority to do that. Parliament should decide. And if they want to give the Scots more money, let them do so openly. It should be based on need. You can't continue with a formula that's clearly wrong."

  9. Food bank donationspublished at 14:20 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    After disorder in George Square on Friday night, Glaswegians have since used the area to show their compassionate side.

    The RestoreGeorgeSq, external account posted this message and picture this afternoon:

    "Massive foodbank collection in George Square. Donations still arriving."

    food bank in George SquareImage source, @RestoreGeorgeSQ
  10. Get involvedpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Bert, Fife: Harriet Harman has just said on Sky News that Labour Leader Ed Miliband needed the Scottish Labour MPs to convince Scottish voters to vote No. Miliband was obviously incapable of doing it himself so is he a leader for the England Labour Party only?

    Robin Gwynne: A second tier government for England is the only way to level the playing field between Scotland, Wales and England. Until that happens, England and UK will be synonymous and therefore the perception will be that England stands above the other two. This is the model in Canada but the downside is the huge cost of yet more politicians. Sort that out and you have a winning formula in my opinion. Just the thoughts of one Canadian/British citizen.

    Stuart Ramsay: Lord Smith will first of all consult the political parties. The Yes and No campaigns both got thousands of people involved with no party membership. Party membership has fallen through the floor. Consult with people and tell the politicos what they are required to do.

  11. Iannucci on Scottish politicspublished at 14:04 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Armando Iannucci, Scottish creator of the political comedy programme The Thick of It, writes in The Observer, external that there is a "new way of doing politics" thanks to the independence referendum - and that's not going to change.

    Mr Iannucci writes: "The challenge, then, is to turn that Scottish no vote into something positive and enduring. For the other feeling I get as the debate dies down is that Scotland wanted this whole argument to mean something, irrespective of the result.

    "A nation conversing with itself and about itself can be just as extraordinary as the decision it eventually makes. What Scotland has now bequeathed the UK is a fascinating demonstration of total political engagement in action."

  12. Post-referendum relaxationpublished at 13:57 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Question: What are the politicians doing to unwind now that the referendum's over? Answer: Beach volleyball.

    Well, for Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale, anyway.

    Kezia Dugdale's tweetImage source, Twitter

    Ms Dudgale, external tweeted: Sunshine, sand and international volleyball? - Not South Beach but Porty beach right now folks #amazing

  13. Send us your commentspublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Peter, Stonehaven: Much as I appreciate Alex Salmond as an efficient leader, I think he is mistaken when he lays the blame for the NO vote at the decision of the three main parties for their "Vow" to pass on more powers. In my opinion the reason is much more prosaic than that, the reason was more likely to be financial. People were concerned at to what would happen to their savings etc. were there to be a YES vote. With no decision on what currency might have been used, plus the scare stories put about re banks moving south, people were scared of the uncertainty.

    People, in the main, are not stupid, and would have taken the claims of "more powers" with a pinch of salt.

    A. Liddiard: The media keep repeating that 45%, or nearly half, of the Scottish electorate supported independence. In reality, of the 4.8 million who registered to vote, only 1.6 million turned out to vote Yes. Surely this means that only one third of the electorate wholeheartedly embraced the idea?

    Nick, Paisley: I would like to see Mr Salmond and the rest of the SNP be more constructive in their comments now. Scotland spoke and the majority said No. Discussion and debate is now needed to determine what powers are going to be devolved and how this will be managed to ensure it is done properly and in the interest of the people. Holyrood needs to work with Westminster to ensure that we get the powers that have been promised and that these powers benefit not only Scotland but the rest of the United Kingdom as a whole.

  14. SNP membership up againpublished at 13:37 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Earlier we brought the news that over 8,000 people had joined the Scottish National Party since the referendum vote. That figure has now increased by a further thousand.

    SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell, external tweets: At Thursday 5pm @theSNP membership was 25,642. Sun midday, great to welcome 9,063 newbies.

  15. Rennie's advice to Salmondpublished at 13:29 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has called on Alex Salmond to "calm down" after the First minister claimed "No" voters were "tricked" into voting that way.

    Mr Salmond claimed party leaders were showing signs of reneging on a last-minute further devolution vow.

    Mr Rennie said: "On Friday the First Minister said he would work constructively with other parties. By the time he recorded his interview on Saturday he had changed his mind. Within hours of a result he said he accepted he showed that he just can't help himself.

    "The First Minister still has a real role to play in the process on more powers that is already underway, as promised. I hope that he will take some time for reflection and embrace the positive agenda for change rather than scrabbling round for a new grievance to nurse."

  16. Together forever?published at 13:16 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Yes campaigner George Kerevan told Sunday Politics Scotland: "When we woke up to the reality, we won.

    "We are getting - according to Gordon Brown - home rule that we have argued for for 100 years. Home rule means we can do all the things we want to do in terms of social justice. It looks also like England will get home rule.

    "If we get, ten years down the line, Scotland going towards social democracy and social justice, and England goes much more towards the politics of Nigel Farage, then tell me we are going to be together in ten years? I don't think so."

  17. Have your saypublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    Lawrence Armour: There was no technical need for Alex Salmond to stand down. It wasn't through political embarrassment of the result of any major gaff. This is what the man does because he knows that he should be like a marathon runner and stand behind the front to be ready for the next time. Nothing Westminster has "pledged" is assured. Even before the voting results came in, we were getting probable reasons why the government probably won't be able to deliver to the timetable they set. The time for Alex Salmond to retake the reins may not be so far off. Nicola would be an excellent First Minister and is very capable of leading Scotland forward. She is not in competition with Alex Salmond and between them, if the situation arises, we will see them team up once more.

    Paul Riddle: With all the additional powers promised to Scotland, the West Lothian issue is bound to be ten times more important. Also the discussions on major constitutional change for Scotland cannot be separated from the changes being demanded by England Wales and NI. Democracy must evolve over time.

    David: If the party leaders at Westminster do renege on their promises then Scottish voters should act to make them do so. At the next General Election the Lib Dems will be virtually wiped out, UKIP won't really play any role and so we will have the prospect of both Labour and the Conservatives holding the majority of seats, certainly in England and Wales

    If Scotland sent 50 SNP members to Westminster then they would almost certainly hold the balance of power and be in a very strong position to demand major policy changes for Scotland. Acting as a body they could change the face of regional politics throughout the UK.

  18. SNP poll boostpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    A poll for The Mail on Sunday indicates the Scottish National Party is leading when it comes to the 2016 Scottish parliamentary election. Of the 871 adults who took part, 49% back the SNP, 33% go with Labour and the Conservatives are at 13%.

    Mail on SundayImage source, Mail on Sunday
  19. Four candlespublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    At the conclusion of a service at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, SNP, Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat representatives lit candles together.

    Party leaders
  20. Watch againpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 21 September 2014

    This morning the leader of the Better Together campaign Alistair Darling called the promise of more powers to Scotland "non-negotiable" which "must be delivered".

    Watch this clip and others by clicking on the "Key Video" tab at the top. You can also catch up with full programmes in the "Live Coverage" tab.