Scottish independence - The Official Atlas Forum mock referendum

[Cassius]

The SNP hasn't actually been particularly 'nationalist', as such, during this campaign. Rather, the main thrust of their campaign seems to have been that only independence can save Scotland from the nasty Tories (although that does beg the question, what of the 15% of the Scottish population with a favourable attitude towards the Tories )

[Cassius]

Funny because the Tories would love Scottish independence.

You know that unionism is one of the primary pillars of the Conservative Party, yes? And Scotland's importance to Labour is vastly overrated.

I wouldn't call it vastly overrated. The permanent Tory majority is a myth granted, but the loss of Scotland, along with 41 (and possibly more, after the next election) Labour seats and some of the party's top talent would severely weaken it. I mean, imagine if Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex became independent. It wouldn't mean a 'permanent Labour majority', but it would make things a damnsight harder for the Tories.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the last time Labour won without needing their Scottish seats was when they were led by a man now widely reviled by portions of his own party, advocating policies which some in his party were at best lukewarm about.