Scottish Independence Referendum 2014

[Chancellor of the Duchy of Little Lever and Darcy Lever]

Does Scotland compete separately in the Commonwealth Games?

Yes, as do England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man (who have a pretty good cyclist, name of Cavendish).

[Chancellor of the Duchy of Little Lever and Darcy Lever]

Don't underestimate the mess that would ensue in the rest of Great Britain in the event of a vote for independence.  It would certainly be the end of the Cameron premiership, and probably the end of the Coalition as well (by 2014 I can't see the coalition going on with somebody else at the helm).

[Chancellor of the Duchy of Little Lever and Darcy Lever]

Don't underestimate the mess that would ensue in the rest of Great Britain in the event of a vote for independence.  It would certainly be the end of the Cameron premiership, and probably the end of the Coalition as well (by 2014 I can't see the coalition going on with somebody else at the helm).

Wouldn't an independent Scotland (if it actually comes to pass by 2014) hurt the Labour Party more than the Conservatives?  

Yes, but not as much as people assume. It wouldn't have made the slightest difference to the results from 1997-2005 for example in terms of seats; there would still have been a Labour majority. It would make 2015 more difficult for Labour yes with the new seats being factored in too.

In the long term a Yes vote for independence would make it more difficult (although certainly not impossible) for Labour to win a majority.  In the short term it could bring down the Coalition.