Scottish independence -- not a good idea

That's the point of this insightful commentary by Peter Hitchens on the move by the Scots to break away from the United Kingdom:  A free Scotland? No, it's being fed into the Euro-blender. Scotland has a rich history as a part of the UK, but its viability as a truly independent nation is quite in doubt, as Hitchens makes clear:

Now, it can either be a part of a United Kingdom, sharing a long and mostly happy history, a love of liberty, an astonishing inventiveness and industry and remarkable valour in war; or it can be a province of the Brussels empire, granted all the toys and trappings of nationhood but actually far less free and autonomous than it is now.

Brussels would be happy to let Scotland (like Ireland) have a flag and an anthem. There would be Scottish EU passports, token Scottish armed forces, a Scottish international dialling code and internet  code, Scottish postage stamps and a Scottish Broadcasting Corporation.

The political classes of Edinburgh and Glasgow would be able to feast on Brussels money. But every important decision would be taken by the EU. You can see why this appeals to professional politicians. But it is hard to see how it would help normal men and women. Yet, unless we all fight our  way out of the EU, our country will be broken up and our flag made meaningless.

The move to push Scotland out of the UK will be bad for Scotland but also bad for the UK.  Plus, now that the European Union is floundering, why would the Scots choose to strike down their Union with the English in exchange for full membership in an EU that is on the verge of collapse? In some ways, the movement in support of Scottish independence reminds me of the separatist movement in Quebec -- if either movement was successful, it would be an absolute disaster for them and their unique culture.

Update:  looks like a plurality of Scots, a people historically renowned for their common sense, have figured this out -- 43% of Scottish voters oppose Scotland leaving the United Kingdom, while only 40% approve.  Interestingly, a slim majority of English voters want Scotland to leave the UK.