[Fifer82]

As a Scotsman, this is a sad day. My only hope is that we leave the Union and that Ireland can work out it's differences and pursue reunification. There is nothing else left for it. A tragic time to be British and nothing to celebrate here.

[stoneman24]

As a fellow Scot, i will vote SNP in next years Scottish election. That election could be a landslide for them, Leading to another independence vote. Even before the effects of Brexit are felt, there is a slight lead for the yes camp. Perhaps we need to be a poor small country in Europe with a voice rather than ignored in Westminster. A sad day.

[hollerith]

If Scotland leaves the UK, how many Scots do you predict will leave Scotland so that they can continue to be citizens of the UK?

(Please assume that Westminster will offer UK citizenship to any Scot that moves to England, Wales or Northern Ireland and applies for UK citizenship.)

[Veen]

As an Englishman, I'm entirely in favor of Scottish independence. It would save us a considerable amount of money.

[cycrutchfield]

Very interesting that you would be willing to make yourself into yet an even weaker entity. What a tragic and utterly preventable denouement for a once proud empire.

[Veen]

I'm curious in what way you think rump-UK would be weaker without Scotland? Economically it would be fine: England is by far the biggest economy in the UK. There would be some losses: about 10 percent of the UK GDP, Scottish military bases, natural gas and oil resources, about 5 million people.

But Scotland produces only about 6 percent of the UK's total exports. The vast majority of what it produces is "exported" to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (about £50 billion to the UK compared to £15 billion to the EU and £17 billion to the rest of the world). It also has a fiscal deficit that's largely offset by the English taxpayer. Scotland is much more economically dependent on the UK than the UK is on Scotland.

Outside of the UK, Scotland may be a credible middle-ranking small country comparable to Czechia. It certainly could not afford to maintain its current level of public services. Without Scotland, the rest of the UK would remain one of the largest economies in the world.

(btw, Scotland was never an Imperial possession of British Empire. The Union with Scotland was peaceful, and largely in the interests of the Scots, who had succeeded in destroying their economy through mismanagement, unwise allegiances with the French, and unsuccessful attempts to build their own empire).

[ben_w]

Your own first paragraph demonstrates the answer to your own question. 10% GDP is loads, and some of those military bases are the only places you currently have where you can fix up your “independent” nuclear deterrent.

[Veen]

Yes, the GDP reduction isn't trivial, but Scotland spends way more than it makes. The UK would no longer have to support that deficit and they wouldn't have to provide services to 5 million Scottish people.

The loss of the HMNB Clyde (the Trident base) poses problems, but not insurmountable ones. Devonport in Plymouth and Miford Haven (more problematically) are suitable replacements. Also, Trident provides about 8,000 jobs to the Scottish economy, and they'd all move south too.

[ben_w]

You are asking why the UK would be weaker without Scotland. I do not understand why you do not find convincing the very claims you already concede? 10% weaker is weaker, specifically by 10%.

[cm2187]

And griefs.

[spzb]

I’m all in favour of Scottish independence as long as they let us southerners immigrate.

[atc]

As a Unionist, I really hope you don't.

Scotland, NI, Wales and England are stronger together. Our shared history is to be celebrated and we should pull together in this new chapter, not tear ourselves apart.

I wish you & your family an amazing 2021. Peace.

[LatteLazy]

I'm a londoner, we want out too. No one likes the English regions, they're lazy and stupid. Sorry they've dragged you along on this ride to hell...