"How many people do they have?" the Prime Minister asked.
"Estimated over eight hundred thousand," the aide replied.
"Eight hundred thousand..." the Prime Minister murmured, "Not unlike when Churchill gave his victory speech in World War II."
He turned off the TV, not wanting to watch anymore.
On the table lay the freshly drafted statement: "The British Government and Scottish Representatives Reach a Historic Framework Agreement on Future Relations."
Key points of the agreement include: Scotland obtains the status of a "Highly Autonomous Kingdom"; possesses full autonomy except for nominal rights in defense and diplomacy; receives 85% of North Sea oil and gas revenue and thirty billion in compensation; the referendum will be held within six months, options including "Complete Independence," "High Autonomy," "Maintain Status Quo."
This will be tomorrow's headline in major newspapers. But the Prime Minister knew it wouldn't overshadow the news of the Hyde Park rally.
