Thoughts on the SNP

It's looking increasingly likely that Labour will have to do some form of deal with the Scottish Nationalists after the election.

Do you know what? I'm not too upset at the idea. We agree on a lot with them and having to rely on them for key bills might prove to be a useful left-wing restraint. I would favour "supply and consent" over full coalition, mind you.

As for Trident? Just get it through with Tory votes.

Scotland Votes NO

So, there you have it; by a bigger margin than expected, Scotland has rejected becoming an independent state and Alex Salmond is resigning.

At the end of the day, Salmond failed to make a convincing case for independence. When your statements about currency and the EU are directly contradicted by key people on the other side... many people aren't going to vote for you.

This said 1.6 million did and they're still going to be in Scotland; their views need to be respected and included in discussions on the future structure of the still United Kingdom.

Scottish Independence Referendum

Tomorrow Scotland goes to the polls to vote on whether to become an independent country. I'm English, but I hope they'll stay in the Union and I think they will - the United Kingdom has done so many great things for the world and I don't want to buy a new atlas.