The Queen was in Glasgow when she formally met Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister.

EIIR: “How nice to see you Mr. Salmond.”

AS: “Nice to see you Your Majesty. Now, what are we going

to call Scotland when we win Independence?

EIIR: “Oh dear, one hasn’t considered that yet!”

AS: “How about calling it a ‘Kingdom’ and then I will be

King?

EIIR: “Near! One doesn’t think that is appropriate.”

AS: “How about ‘Empire’ then I can be an Emperor?

EIIR: “Near! In one’s dreams!”

AS: “All right! So how about calling it a ‘Principality’ and

then I can be a Prince?”

EIIR: “Near, Mr. Salmond! I think we will let it remain a

‘country’ and you can carry on as you are.”

And now its never going to happen. Scotland has decided to remain as part of the Union, has declared by a majority that it wishes to remain ruled over by a bunch of upper-class twits in London, most of whom had never been to Scotland before last wednesday. And will probably never go there again.

So now, as always, having won the war, we have to survive the peace. Which, as recent history has shown, is far more difficult.

This whole episode of Salmond-driven arrogance has been massivly divisive for Scots. They are now a nation split. Nearly half of them have lost a battle to which they had become passionately supportive and emotionally involved. The early nicey-nicey news feature of ‘the wee twins from Falkirk supporting different sides. Ahhhhh’ have given way to threats, fighting, near-riots and a whole demonstration of the full range of man’s hositility to fellow man.

As a Londoner, I’m much happier now because the pound is immediately stronger again and share prices have risen overnight, taking my pension back from ‘breadline’ to ‘just mere poverty’ in one fell swoop. And really, its all about me.

But leaving my own personal gains out of it just quickly, there’ll be trouble. Already everyone’s favourite Scottish whipping boy (other than Salmond), Andy Murray, is possibly regretting tweeting his support for the Yes campaign on Wednesday. He’s always had a difficult relationship with England (read: WE FUCKING HAAAATE HIM) which will not be exactly enhanced by his words in favour of seperation. People have to go back to work today (or back to the dole queues) in Edinburgh and Glasgow and sit next to people they were facing off with full aggression in various squares just yesterday. Scotland’s always been rather partisan on religious grounds, now there’s something else to divide the nation’s populus.

And we have to work out the consequences of all the promises made by our Government before the election. And the repercussions on our own democracy, as well as those of Wales and Northern Ireland. If Scotland is indeed remaining part of the Union, it cannot be constitutionally different from its fellow states.

Everything to play for.

Happy united Friday

A xxxx