So as you may or may not know the Scottish National Party (who are pro-independence) won the Scottish elections, this means that there will almost certainly be a referendum on independence in Scotland by the end of their term. While there being a yes vote to independence is unlikely, what do you think the consequences of it would be?

Mel Gibson would be the consequence?

Oh God, I hope not.

I imagine Scotland having to make changes to it's fiscal policy if it becomes independent.  Currently Scotland has no tuition fees, no prescription charges and the like.  With North Sea oil revenues peaking somewhen in the mid 90's, I doubt in the long run an independant Scotland can sustainably continue the fiscal policy of the devolved Government.

i doubt Scotland will ever become independant, England wont allow such an thing. 

Admittedly, I'd bet they're more attached to their subject kingdoms in the British Isles than the stuff they let go overseas like India, but I doubt they'd resort to force to keep Scotland. 

I wouldn't be surprised if they demanded a second vote, though, just to make sure people didn't just get caught with their pants down by a vocal minority with better voting habits. 

And take this all with a grain of salt as I'm an ignorant American that's never even been on that side of the Atlantic

As far as I understand it... they would be running big deficits to provide what they provide now... since a lot of the money they get to run that stuff comes from the rest of the UK.

As far as I can tell the SNP has gotten popular by spending Englands money and making Scotland more dependent on England.

Which honestly, is why I didn't realize the SNP actually wanted independence anymore.  Just thought it was a regional party that was the "National Party of Scotland."

That they are pro independence is really quite ironic given their recent moves at making Scotland more socialized with British money... rather then say... a tax hike on scots.

If my read on the situation is right (which it totally couldn't be since I didn't even know they were pro independence.)   If anything losing Scotland could be just the right austerity measure David Camereon is looking for.  Plus Scotland leans "Left".  If there was ever a UK administration that would be open to Scotland leaving....

If Scotland want their independence, the rest of the UK has no say in it. It's up to them, they have their own government after all, own laws, own currency notes as well that government is in charge of Scottish issues, many powers like armed forces are not in their control. It's just when it comes to governing the country of UK as a whole, international policies and such alike, that comes down to the British Parliament.

I do not believe that the Scottish people will vote for independence but if they did, I'd be sorry to see them leave (never understood why the Scottish 'dislike' the English British so much) but accept it as their decision. You never know it might be good for the UK as a whole. But nothing will change in the terms of movement, currency or simple things like that, the realtionship still has to be maintained as we do live on the same island.

Then, the only reason the countries are united is because of James the VI.

It could be a next Ireland.  As a kid I always thought Scotland was an country on his own (I guess because they have their own football team =p)

Lol @ "England wouldn't let it happen"

The last polls showed that a higher percentage of Englanders wanted Scotland to go independent compared with the Scots. For the SNP to have the best chance of getting what they want, they would have needed the vote to be English only, haha.

Don't confuse England with Britain/UK. England is the one that's been around for over a thousand years with an incredible history, with a large part devoted to being INVADED by Scotland. The UK is the bastard child that was forcibly created by a SCOTTISH, not English, King.

As to what would happen?

No more UK. I don't see England, Wales and Northern Ireland staying together. The Labour party will be destroyed and England will be run by a less communist, more free, more eurosceptic government.

Scotland would remain a monarchy. The SNP hate it but the majority of the Scots love it as much as the rest of the UK.

I'd propose that the UK seat on the security council be given to the Commonwealth. Share it between England, Scotland, Canada, Australia etc on the condition that France gives it's seat to the EU.

Once everything's done, England should help finance the Shetlands campaign for independence from Scotland. The oil belongs to the Shetlanders. HANDS OFF SCOTLAND!