From a reader:
Jonah,
I’m a Yank with an MBA from the U of Edinburgh and I can say without a doubt that separation will not solve the Scot’s affection for socialism. It is ingrained in the DNA and at times seemingly contradictory. On one hand, the Scots celebrate a devolved parliament believing that they know to educate their children etc. better than Westminster. But on the other hand, they are the staunchest proponents of handing UK sovereignty to a power even further away in Brussels. Nuts. Separation to achieve that old “can do spirit” is a red herring for the ancient distaste for England. Nothing more. Ken