And England, looking on, might be sympathetic to Scotland’s plight. But it might not. While it’s likely that there would be demands in Scotland for a second referendum – a “we’ve changed our mind!” vote, ostensibly to pass verdict on the final settlement – it’s far from clear that England would oblige. After all, England’s politicians, businessmen, even the late David Bowie, begged Scotland to stay in 2014, and repeatedly warned against taking the needless risk of independence. Had Scots chosen to leave anyway, there would not now be much English appetite for a bail-out. And besides, the Chancellor in Westminster would doubtless have already found other uses for the billions not being sent to subsidise Scotland.