STEPHEN DAISLEY: The independent Scotland that (thankfully) never was

On September 19, following a narrow referendum result of 50.3% in favor of independence, Alex Salmond and his advisers gathered to discuss the future of Scotland. However, the optimism was short-lived as the UK Government swiftly rejected proposals for a currency union, marking a significant setback for the new administration. The announcement of state pension liabilities transferring to Holyrood on independence day further complicated matters, revealing a projected deficit of £12.4 billion for the nascent nation. As time progressed, the initial excitement surrounding independence began to wane. Polls indicated a potential defeat for the SNP in the 2016 Holyrood elections, reflecting growing discontent among the Scottish populace. The UK Government, perceiving Scotland as a distraction, sought to move past the independence issue, while the reality of governing an independent Scotland proved more challenging than anticipated. Despite claims of becoming one of the wealthiest nations, the reality was starkly different. The Scottish Government's reforms, while making the health service more efficient, could not mask the financial difficulties faced by the new government. The irony of the Tory right advocating for England to emulate Scotland's reforms was lost on many nationalists, who began to question the true nature of their aspirations. Ultimately, the desire for independence morphed into a longing for autonomous dependency, where governance was sought without the financial burden of self-sufficiency. This shift in perspective highlighted the complexities and challenges of achieving true independence in a financially constrained environment.