On what grounds is it claimed that it is not every bit as much, at the very least, a "new country" as an independent Scotland would be?

On the grounds of practicality.

The precedent is set by what happened in 1922 when the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland" became the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In practice, a new state was formed south of the Irish border and the UK went on as before, albeit with a new name and a bit less territory. It kept its empire, international prestige, financial systems etc.

Repeating what I said above, if Scottish independence affects the status of the rest of the UK then we should all be included in the referendum. As it has been decided that the referendum is only of concern to those living in Scotland, it is safe to say that the international position of the rest of the UK will remain unchanged. Arguing otherwise may be of interest but is just so much hot air.


DC