UK and Scotland signed an Agreement to hold a Referendum on Scottish Independence

UK and Scotland signed an agreement on 15 October 2012 to hold a referendum in 2014 on Scottish independence.  The referendum agreement has been signed following talks in Edinburgh between David Cameron, UK Prime Minister and  Alex Salmond, who leads the pro-independence Scottish National Party.  The referendum could lead to the United Kingdom breaking up after 300 years, leaving only England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the Union.

The British Government wants Scotland to stay in its political union with England. The Scottish Government led by Alex Salmond favours independence.  After months of negotiations, the deal is expected to give Scotland's administration the power to hold a vote in the final quarter of 2014, which will offer Scotland a choice on leaving the United Kingdom.