UK:

[theplater]

I see he's changed his stance on us being at the back of the queue in terms of a trade agreement (another idol threat) don't the U. S celebrate the same thing we've just done on the 4th July? The Scots can have their independence who's to say they will be let into the EU right away. Because when their not they'll realise how much they rely on English taxes to prop them up.

You've gorra loff at Wee Jimmy Krankie. The knee high glorifiied county council leader is screaming like a bitch that she wants another Scottish referendum. Just a couple of points Nicola. What asset is it you think you have of any value to be econonmically viable to sustain yourselves? And, just what is it that makes you think the oil, which isn't worth much more than jack s*** at the moment, is actually yours? Oh, good luck...and btw, we'll be sending the builders up to Carlisle shortly!

[tony]

In fairness I think Nicola Sturgeon is well aware of Scotland's minnow status economically and that's at least partly why she wants Scotland to be part of a bigger protectorate - but not under the English yoke.

Many of the English didn't want to be under an EU yoke and voted out as soon as they got the chance. I'm sure the Scots will, sooner than you know it, hold another referendum. If the SNP has any reason for still existing it can only be to pounce at a rare golden opportunity like this; Sturgeon has the chance - sooner than she thought - to have another bite of the cherry after Salmond tried and failed.

I can see the Scots' point in that they feel a decision which most of them were clearly against has been imposed upon them simply because they are part of the United Kingdom which a significant proportion don't want to be in anyway. Some of those who voted to remain part of the UK at their last referendum did so on the understanding that membership of the UK would secure their place within the even larger EU. As that's now gone, many of the previously pro-UK Scots will no doubt at the first opportunity vote for Scottish Independence. But Sturgeon is taking a risk here: go too soon and misjudge pro-UK sentiment and she loses - the SNP can't really afford to fail twice in such quick succession without falling into the political wilderness. Go too late and miss the momentum of anti-English, pro-EU sentiment which might very well give her the "independence" (in truth, separatism) she craves.

If they do leave the UK will that truly leave us as "Little Englanders"? we'd have the Welsh with us I guess (for a while at least). And Northern Ireland, until moves arise to unite the Emerald Isle....

I don't think the wound left in the side of the EU caused by our departure will heal up as easily as they hope. I was talking to an Italian last night and he said one size just does not fit all over on the continent, harmonisation is being imposed with artificial haste and he would love an Italian referendum on leaving the EU - he thought their exodus would be more decisive than ours.

Meanwhile our Commonwealth friends like Australia might well view us differently. Some Ozzies are already murmuring about the point of maintaining ties with a dis-united kingdom. I think a lot will shift on that front when the current Queen (now 90, remember) dies. Charles will inherit a very turbulent landscape with historic links much older than those of the EU potentially unravelling. We'll survive no matter what, I'm confident of that, but a world map 20 years from now would be fascinating to glimpse.