当地时间9月19日,苏格兰独立公投结果公布后,英国首相卡梅伦在唐宁街10号首相官邸门前发表公开讲话。他在讲话中表示对这一公投结果很高兴,并承诺未来将建立更公平的体系,让苏格兰、威尔士、北爱尔兰以及英格兰拥有更多权力。以下为讲话全文:
The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result. They have kept our country of four nations together. Like millions of other people, I am delighted.
苏格兰人民做出了选择。这是一个清晰的结果。他们选择继续一起组成我们的国家。和数百万人民一样,我非常高兴。
As I said during the campaign, it would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end.
正如我在活动中所说,如果看到英国走到了尽头,我的心将会破碎。
And I know that sentiment was shared by people, not just across our country, but also around the world because of what we’ve achieved together in the past and what we can do together in the future.
我知道,不仅是我们国家的人民,全世界的人民都在分享这份喜悦 – 这是因为我们在过去所取得的成就,以及我们能够共同创造的未来。
So now it is time for our United Kingdom to come together, and to move forward.
所以,现在是英国团结起来、共同向前的时刻。
A vital part of that will be a balanced settlement – fair to people in Scotland and importantly to everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as well.
我们将有一个更公平的体系 – 不但对苏格兰人民更公平,重要的是,将对英格兰、威尔士、北爱尔兰人民也同样公平。
Let us first remember why we had this debate – and why it was right to do so.
让我们首先记住为什么我们会有这次的争论,以及为什么这样做是对的。
The Scottish National Party was elected in Scotland in 2011 and promised a referendum on independence.
苏格兰民族党于2011年在苏格兰获选,并誓言独立公投。
We could have blocked that, we could have put it off but just as with other big issues, it was right to take - not duck - the big decision.
我们本可以阻止公投,也可以将其推迟——但这就像其他问题一样,接受重大的决定才是正确的,而不是进行躲避。
I am a passionate believer in our United Kingdom – I wanted more than anything for our United Kingdom to stay together.
我对我们的国家拥有强烈的信任感 —— 对我来说没有什么比我们国家团结在一起更重要了。
But I am also a democrat. And it was right that we respected the SNP’s majority in Holyrood and gave the Scottish people their right to have their say.
但我对我们的国家拥有强烈的信任感 —— 对我来说没有什么比我们国家团结在一起更重要了。
Let us also remember why it was right to ask the definitive question, Yes or No.
让我们记住为什么提出决定性的问题“去”或者“留”是对的。
Because now the debate has been settled for a generation or as Alex Salmond has said, perhaps for a lifetime.
因为这个争论已经存在了一代– 或者像 Alex Salmond 所说的,也许是一生。
So there can be no disputes, no re-runs – we have heard the settled will of the Scottish people.
因此结论无可争议,也不会重来,我们已经听到了苏格兰人民的坚定愿望。
Scotland voted for a stronger Scottish Parliament backed by the strength and security of the United Kingdom and I want to congratulate the No campaign for that – for showing people that our nations really are better together.
苏格兰选出了一个由英国的强大和安全作为支持的苏格兰议会。我想对支持团结的人民表示感谢——感谢你们展示出我们国家团结起来才能更好的事实。
I also want to pay tribute to Yes Scotland for a well-fought campaign and to say to all those who did vote for independence: ‘we hear you’.
我也要对支持独立的人们表示敬意——你们进行了一场很精彩的活动。我要对投票支持独立的人们说,“我们听到了你们的声音”。