Ehmmm NO Richard nobody forced people to live beyond their means - that is down to the stupidity of individuals. It then goes to poor risk assessment on the part of those lending, unfortunately they incorrectly believed that the sums they had in bookmakers parlance "laid off" to cover themselves were based on an assumption that was terribly wrong.

What betrayal in the referendum? The majority of the electorate of Scotland voted to remain in the United Kingdom, the track record is that you cannot put any faith in any assurance given by the SNP wrt the United Kingdom and they are still fully committed to working towards the break up of the United Kingdom and independence for Scotland.