Scottish referendum

One prediction Alex Salmond got right

The Scottish first minister’s expectation of a “record turnout” in the referendum came to pass. The figure of 84.6% tops the list of participation in every national or regional-based referendum in the modern political history of the UK:

Turnout in UK referendums

But that wasn’t all. The figure of 84.6% also topped the 83.9% record for a turnout in a UK general election, set back in 1950.

The highest turnout in the 32 electoral regions across Scotland was recorded in East Dunbartonshire: a mighty 91%. Other highs included East Renfrewshire (90.4%) and Stirling (90.1%). Fewer people went to the polls in some of Scotland’s urban centres, such as Glasgow (75%) and Dundee (78.8%).

For the referendum to attract a higher turnout than even the Good Friday agreement is remarkable. If nothing else, Thursday’s vote is proof that deciding the future of your country through the ballot box is a principle that retains mass appeal.



4 responses to ‘One prediction Alex Salmond got right

  1. There is some analysis at the House of Commons Library blog of how wrong the polls were. See They are planning to publish further analysis next week.

    There were some predictions in advance that the “yes” vote in the actual referendum would be lower than the polls predicted. See

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