The idea that the UK isn't going to recognise Scottish territory is fairytale stuff. There would of course be negotiating over issues and some trading off as both parties looked to their interest but that is to be expected. As to comparing Scotland to small English villages well again it doesn't work. Scotland is a constituent nation of the UKofGB&NI and not a wee village in one of those constituent parts. You are right about the majority in Westminster thing though. Some Laboour supporting unionists claim that Scottish independence would be a bad thing for England because they would be left with a permanent Tory majority. The facts don't back that up though. Certainly as far as seats go all the Labour govts during the Blair/Brown era had sizeable majorities in England. Any election has to be damn close in the first place for Scottish seats to make the difference.