Mary Macleod 'Delighted' By No Vote

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Local MP pleased country where she was raised has rejected independence

The MP for Brentford and Isleworth, Mary Macleod, has said she is 'absolutely delighted' with this morning's result in the Scottish independence referendum. The London born MP was raised and education in Scotland.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Jackie, Ms Macleod said that the vote would settle the issue for 'a generation or a life time' and that 'as a unionist' she was pleased that Scotland could now move on. She believed that the country would now unite behind the decision as both the 'yes' and 'no' campaigns respected the democratic process.

She expressed admiration for the level of turnout and said that she hoped future elections in this country could reverse the trend of lower turnouts.

In her view the 'really interesting' period starts now as the broader question of devolved powers has been brought into focus. She said this was an exciting phase in which should look to move towards 'English votes for English laws'.

Asked about the eligibility of 16 and 17 year olds to vote she said that she believed this was not the way forward for elections but that an exception was justified for the referendum as it gave younger people a chance to have a say in a decision which would effect them for the rest of their lives.

On the subject of the Queen's view on independence, the former press secretary at Buckingham Palace said that she suspected that Her Majesty would be glad at the news.

September 19, 2014