Queen's stark warning over Scottish independence vote: Monarch finally speaks out as she tells voter to 'think very carefully about the future'
- 'People should think very carefully about the future', says Queen
- She has refused to comment publicly on the independence referendum
- Buckingham Palace insists the 'Monarch is above politics' at all times
- But she gave a statement in 1977 when a Scottish parliament was mooted
- Harry reveals his hope to keep his sports event in the UK in 2015
- 400 wounded troops and veterans have taken part in Invictus Games
- Prince 'would love to keep it in the UK' next year, possibly in Glasgow
The
Queen today urged caution over the Scottish independence referendum in
the latest sign that the Royal family is hoping for a No vote in
Thursday's poll.
Her
Majesty apparently told a member of the public that voters should
'think very carefully about the future' as she emerged from the morning
service at the church she attends near Balmoral.
The comments came after Prince Harry also revealed that he expects that Scotland will remain in the United Kingdom next year.
Scroll down for video
Intervention: The Queen today urged caution over the Scottish independence referendum
Home: The Queen is pictured with Prince Philip and Prince Edward at Balmoral, her castle in Scotland
Buckingham
Palace has repeatedly refused to reveal the Queen's views on
independence, but she is widely believed to favour keeping the Union
intact.
As
she left Crathie Kirk today, according to The Times, the monarch was
asked about the referendum by a member of the public and replied: 'Well,
I hope people will think very carefully about the future.'
The
remark has been widely viewed as urging voters to take caution before
backing independence, which would chime with comments made four decades
ago that she wanted to rule as the Queen of every country in the UK.
Unusually, reporters were allowed to listen in to the Queen talking to wellwishers outside the church.
"I hope people will think very carefully about the future"
The Queen
In
1977 when there were calls for a devolved parliament in Scotland, the
Queen used a speech to issue a blunt warning against breaking up the
Union.
She said: 'I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and of Northern Ireland.
'Perhaps
this Jubilee is a time to remind ourselves of the benefits which union
has conferred, at home and in our international dealings, on the
inhabitants of all parts of the United Kingdom.'
The
Queen is currently on her annual holiday at Balmoral Castle, in
Aberdeenshire, where she will remain until after the referendum vote.
There
have been calls from some quarters for her to speak out in defence of
the United Kingdom yet again, with polls showing the vote on Thursday is
too close to call.
Prince Harry revealed his hope to keep his Invictus Games 'in the UK' next year, and suggested Glasgow as a possible host city
More than 400 wounded serving and
veteran members of the armed forces from 13 countries have taken part in
the contest. Last night the Great Britain team celebrated winning a
gold medal in the wheelchair basteball final against the USA
But
Buckingham Palace last week issued a stern warning that the 'Monarch is
above politics' and stressing that 'those in political office have a
duty to ensure that this remains the case'.
A
Populus survey for the Mail shows 32 per cent of people in England
think the Queen should speak out, while 54 per cent say she should 'stay
out of the referendum campaign and make no public comment'.
Some
30 per cent said other members of the Royal Family - such as The Prince
of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry - should speak publicly in
support of the union.
However,
discussing his ambitions for his Invictus Games for injured service
personnel, Harry hinted that Glasgow would still be in the UK next year.
Glasgow hosted this year's Commonwealth Games.
Harry's international sports event for 'wounded warriors' was hosted at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London
If
voters back independence on Thursday, a hugely complex negotiation will
begin between Edinburgh and London to carve up resources and assets for
Scotland, which would become a separate country on March 24, 2016.
More
than 400 wounded serving and veteran members of the armed forces from
13 countries have taken part in Prince Harry's Paralympic Games-style
event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London.
Last
night the prince boasted that 'only the British could have pulled off'
the event, and said he would 'love' to keep it in the UK, including
hosting it north of the border in Glasgow.
Harry
said: 'The British public, the way that they've embraced this, the way
that they've shown their support, it is what they do best, and long may
that last.
'We've
got America showing interest for 2016, we've got Canada showing
interest for 2017 so the question is, 'What do we do next year?' I
personally would love to keep it in the UK.
'So many good things happen in London where the rest of the country have to watch on TV or travel long distance.
'If
we can take this up north then it would be great. If we can keep it in
the UK next year and then go abroad, I think we'll have done a really
good job.
'So
what if we've only got a year to get the funding together for next
year, Manchester, Sheffield or Glasgow will be half the price.'
The comments will be seen as an indication of thinking among senior royals ahead of the independence referendum.
Earlier
this week, Prince William hinted that he was following the referendum
closely when he was asked about his wife Kate becoming pregnant for the
second time.
He
said: 'It’s important that we all focus on the big news and the big
international and domestic things that are going on at the moment.
That’s what my thoughts are at the moment.'
A survey of people in England suggests more people want the Royals to keep out of the independence debate
The Queen has a
responsibility to protect the United Kingdom, UKIP leader Nigel Farage
said last week as he defied Buckingham Palace's insistence that the
Monarch is above politics
UKIP leader Nigel Farage last week called for the Queen to speak publicly about her desire to preserve the Union.
Speaking
on his fortnightly LBC radio phone-in, Mr Farage said: 'My
understanding of the constitution is if the kingdom itself, if the
United Kingdom itself is under threat, then in many ways you could argue
she has a responsibility to say something.'
He
said he could 'completely understand' why she wants to keep out of
politics and stressed that the Royal Family has never been 'more popular
over centuries than it currently is'.
But
Mr Farage added: 'There are times when, if the United Kingdom, over
which she is the monarch, is threatened itself, when it might be right
to say something.
'That
doesn't mean that she has to, but ... let's say we got to this Sunday
and let's say it was still 50-50 in the polls, I personally think she
should say something, yes.'
Mr
Farage said the Queen's 1977 speech set a 'precedent', adding: 'She's
said it before and it might be handy if she said it again.'
No comments:
Post a Comment