LONDON -- Who won and who lost in Scotland's independence referendum?

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WINNERS: The 55.3 percent of Scottish voters who wanted to stay in the United Kingdom.

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LOSERS: The 44.7 percent who disagreed.

WINNER: Gordon Brown. The former prime minister broke out of what seemed to be a long sulk since losing the 2010 election, and delivered a barnstorming defense of the United Kingdom which gave the No campaign some badly needed energy in the final days.

LOSER: Alex Salmond. The leader of the Scottish National Party, which exists mainly to pursue independence, went down fighting for what he called a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win back the nation's independence. He led a campaign that energized all of Scotland - but announced after the referendum defeat that he would step down as party leader and first minister in November.

WINNER: David Cameron. The prime minister stood to be in trouble if the vote had gone the other way. However, his promise of more powers for the regions may cause grumbling in his Conservative Party.

WINNER: J.K. Rowling, the "Harry Potter" author, who gave 1 million pounds ($1.6 million) to the No campaign.

LOSER: Andy Murray, whose tweet in favor of the Yes campaign on the day of the vote has inspired a backlash from fans. In 2013, Murray, who was born in Scotland but lives in England, became the first British man in 77 years to win the Wimbledon title.

LOSERS: Chris and Colin Weir, who gave 1 million pounds ($1.6 million) to the Yes campaign, leaving them with barely more than 160 million pounds from their Euromillions lottery win.

WINNER: The British pound. It sank toward the end of the campaign because markets loathe uncertainty. It bounced back smartly once the votes were counted.

WINNER? Queen Elizabeth II, whose Delphic comment urging Scots to "think very carefully about the future" was widely interpreted as a nudge for the No campaign. Perhaps it was just common sense. After the vote, the queen issued a statement saying: "After many months of discussion, debate, and careful thought, we now know the outcome of the Referendum, and it is a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect."

WINNER: Democracy: Nearly 85 percent of eligible voters participated in the decision.