Voters in Scotland to decide whether to split from United Kingdom

Residents of Scotland head to the polls Sept. 18 to decide whether to remain a part of the United Kingdom or end a 307-year union and move forward as an independent country.

According to a number of media reports, the vote is now split roughly 50-50.

Those favoring a split have long trailed in the polls. But, a YouGov poll released Sunday shows the “yes” camp leading for the first time.

There are a number of questions lingering about currency, the future of naval bases in Scotland and other topics that would have to be settled should Scottish voters decide to break away from the United Kingdom. And, while the tightening of opinion apparently has many politicians worried, Queen Elizabeth is apparently remaining neutral despite some reports suggesting otherwise.

“The sovereign’s constitutional impartiality is an established principle of our democracy and one which the Queen has demonstrated throughout her reign,” the Scotsman newspaper quoted a Buckingham spokesperson as saying. “Her Majesty is firmly of the view that this is a matter for the people of Scotland.”