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英文
He said:
The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result. They have kept
our country of 4 nations together. Like millions of other people, I am
delighted. As I said during the campaign, it would have broken my heart to see
our United Kingdom come to an end.
And I know that sentiment was shared by people, not just across our
country, but also around the world because of what we’ve achieved together in
the past and what we can do together in the future.
So now it is time for our United Kingdom to come together, and to move
forward. A vital part of that will be a balanced settlement – fair to people in
Scotland and importantly to everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as
well.
Let us first remember why we had this debate – and why it was right to do
so.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) was elected in Scotland in 2011 and
promised a referendum on independence. We could have blocked that; we could have
put it off, but just as with other big issues, it was right to take - not duck -
the big decision.
I am a passionate believer in our United Kingdom – I wanted more than
anything for our United Kingdom to stay together.
But I am also a democrat. And it was right that we respected the SNP’s
majority in Holyrood and gave the Scottish people their right to have their
say.
Let us also remember why it was right to ask the definitive question, Yes
or No. Because now the debate has been settled for a generation or as Alex
Salmond has said, perhaps for a lifetime.
So there can be no disputes, no re-runs – we have heard the settled will of
the Scottish people.
Scotland voted for a stronger Scottish Parliament backed by the strength
and security of the United Kingdom and I want to congratulate the No campaign
for that – for showing people that our nations really are better together.
I also want to pay tribute to Yes Scotland for a well-fought campaign and
to say to all those who did vote for independence: “we hear you”.
We now have a chance – a great opportunity – to change the way the British
people are governed, and change it for the better.
Political leaders on all sides of the debate now bear a heavy
responsibility to come together and work constructively to advance the interests
of people in Scotland, as well as those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland,
for each and every citizen of our United Kingdom.
To those in Scotland sceptical of the constitutional promises made, let me
say this we have delivered on devolution under this government, and we will do
so again in the next Parliament.
The 3 pro-union parties have made commitments, clear commitments, on
further powers for the Scottish Parliament. We will ensure that they are
honoured in full.
And I can announce today that Lord Smith of Kelvin – who so successfully
led Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games – has agreed to oversee the process to take
forward the devolution commitments, with powers over tax, spending and welfare
all agreed by November and draft legislation published by January.
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. The rights of these voters need to be respected,
preserved and enhanced as well.
It is absolutely right that a new and fair settlement for Scotland should
be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of our
United Kingdom. In Wales, there are proposals to give the Welsh government and
Assembly more powers. And I want Wales to be at the heart of the debate on how
to make our United Kingdom work for all our nations. In Northern Ireland, we
must work to ensure that the devolved institutions function effectively.
I have long believed that a crucial part missing from this national
discussion is England. We have heard the voice of Scotland - and now the
millions of voices of England must also be heard. The question of English votes
for English laws – the so-called West Lothian question – requires a decisive
answer.
So, just as Scotland will vote separately in the Scottish Parliament on
their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England, as well as Wales and
Northern Ireland, should be able to vote on these issues and all this must take
place in tandem with, and at the same pace as, the settlement for Scotland.
I hope that is going to take place on a cross-party basis. I have asked
William Hague to draw up these plans. We will set up a Cabinet Committee right
away and proposals will also be ready to the same timetable. I hope the Labour
Party and other parties will contribute.
It is also important we have wider civic engagement about to improve
governance in our United Kingdom, including how to empower our great cities. And
we will say more about this in the coming days.
This referendum has been hard fought. It has stirred strong passions. It
has electrified politics in Scotland, and caught the imagination of people
across the whole of our United Kingdom.
It will be remembered as a powerful demonstration of the strength and
vitality of our ancient democracy. Record numbers registered to vote and record
numbers cast their vote. We can all be proud of that. It has reminded us how
fortunate we are that we are able to settle these vital issues at the ballot
box, peacefully and calmly.
“Now we must look forward, and turn this into the moment when everyone –
whichever way they voted – comes together to build that better, brighter future
for our entire United Kingdom.
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