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Scotland has voted 55-45% to preserve its 307 year old union with the United Kingdom as people went to the polls in droves yesterday to make themselves heard.

The question was a simple one: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” and fairly early on yesterday evening it began to be clear that the “no campaign,” also calling itself “Better Together,” would win. One thing was sure – the question itself generated a level of political engagement and dialogue unseen in recent years.

This morning, the stock market reflected the relief felt by the business community that the union survived, with the British pound rising in strength. Despite the loss of the independence vote, Scots have made gains by asserting their demands through the voting process.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to give Scotland more powers. The mere process of an independence campaign has inspired similar movements for secession from Quebec to Catalonia.

GUEST: Eric Margolis, syndicated columnist and foreign correspondent of The Toronto Sun newspaper.

Click here to read Margolis’ analysis of the Scottish independence movement.