1) Because ultimately, Westminster know damn fine and well that without a formal currency union Scotland is under no obligation to shoulder any of the UK's debt
2) You're almost certainly right, especially where it comes to Trident..
I'd also like to address your point about the NHS. You're correct when you say control of the NHS in Scotland is already devolved, but without full control of its own income and resources (rather than having to rely on Westminster allocated funds) further cuts to the Scottish budget can and almost certainly will pretty much force the issue. I f the NHS in England is cut, but Holyrood holds out a begging bowl saying it wants to maintain the NHS as-is, I'm pretty sure the rUK will say 'tough titties'. Devolved services are only good for as long as funds allow, and we already know there are further austerity measures scheduled by the 3 big parties right across the board regardless of a Yes / No vote.
no subject
2) You're almost certainly right, especially where it comes to Trident..
I'd also like to address your point about the NHS. You're correct when you say control of the NHS in Scotland is already devolved, but without full control of its own income and resources (rather than having to rely on Westminster allocated funds) further cuts to the Scottish budget can and almost certainly will pretty much force the issue. I f the NHS in England is cut, but Holyrood holds out a begging bowl saying it wants to maintain the NHS as-is, I'm pretty sure the rUK will say 'tough titties'. Devolved services are only good for as long as funds allow, and we already know there are further austerity measures scheduled by the 3 big parties right across the board regardless of a Yes / No vote.