to think if the tables were turned, England would probably want independence?

[wibblewobble8]

In that if Scotland had a population of 63ish million and England was 5ish million, and Scotland was the dominant 'partner' within the UK, it would be likely that a majority of English would want independence to make their own decisions. So anything England voted as part of the UK was essentially a redundant vote unless the majority of Scotland agreed with them. And Holyrood essentially became Westminister with all decisions taking place here. And mind you only have 56 or so mps, so not a lot of clout agains the other 600 MPs looking out for Scotland. I mean the other 600mps will be looking out for the UK as a whole but y'know, the 60 odd million people who voted them in and ensure they have a career live in Scotland so best to keep them happiest. I really wonder if the majority of those living in England would accept those conditions.

Jassy, but it wouldnt be a federal country. I guess England would have some powers devolved. We'd take all your income and decide how much you got back and let you decide what you were gonna do with some of it, all with conditions of course. But mostly power would lie in Scotland. That said i guess id probably be happy if Scotland and England were truely federal countries, it would probably put independence on the back burner for good

How on earth do you think many/most federal systems work? Sounds pretty damn familiar to me.

Swearyinn, would it matter if England became a second tier backwater country?

I suppose it depends what other countries you consider second tier and backwater, as a point of comparison.

Are the Scandinavian countries second tier backwaters, for example?

And I'm not sure how I feel about us having nuclear weapons anyway.

If Scotland leave we (English) should sneak off leaving the nuclear missiles in their Scottish base. Save all the expense of getting rid of them.