Scottish referendum results: Thank you, thank you, thank you to the No voters – the Union is saved

But it’s Alex Salmond and the Yes campaign who have emerged with more credit

No supporters react to results in the Scottish independence referendum at The Marriott Hotel in Glasgow as ballet papers are counted through the night. (Lynne Cameron/PA Wire )

It is a day of relief: a huge political storm blowing in the north has abated, and though we will be seeing effects for many more months, it is not the cataclysm it might have been. Spanish politicians can worry a little bit less about Catalan separatism; the Belgians do not now fear an early break up of their country. The early movements in the markets, as they opened in East Asia, are an indication of what short term economic impact of a Scottish breakaway would have been. The pound, which had been falling in value, is now on an upward path. Shares in Scottish companies are rising in value. Consider what they would have been doing if the Scots had voted Yes.

But economics is the lesser issue. Something that the Yes campaign never seemed to appreciate is the emotional wrench that so many of us would have undergone if we had woken up this morning to news that the United Kingdom had ceased to exist. Many of us have Scottish ancestors, we have Scottish friends, we have been there, we think of Scotland as part of the mother country. It would have been grim to be told that it had been ripped away, that Scotland was a foreign country.

A personal thank you is due, therefore, to the 55 or so per cent whose votes have held us together.

The voting is over. The fall out from this extraordinary event continues.