But if the Scots don't leave us and the 59 seats remain in the mix, Scotland will be governed by Westminster Tories for the foreseeable future. They may have a devolved government but they still had brexit inflicted on them against "the will of the Scottish people" and Scotland is not fundamentally a Tory country. Being nice to the left of centre in England is no reason at all to stay in the union.

However, I'd worry if a referendum threw up a tiny majority to leave, in the same way that it was an outrage that a tiny majority (of those who voted, not of the electorate) dragged us so damagingly out of Europe. The Tories could nobble Nicola by allowing a referendum but insisting on a super-majority. That would never be achieved so it would be game over. But, of course, she wouldn't accept that, and as the Tories didn't do it for brexit...