Originally Posted by
etudiant
That last thought is critical imho, unions are voluntary and can dissolve unless the various partners can reach acceptable accords.
The US was not able to do this and consequently had a traumatic civil war. Czechoslovakia by contrast achieved an amicable 'velvet divorce'.
Not sure where things stand in the England/Scotland discussion, but I see no indications that any serious discussions such as took place in Czechoslovakia before the split are happening, just posturing.
There is plenty of will and desire on behalf of the Scottish Government to discuss the terms and holding of a binding and legal Referendum. Unfortunately, a certain PM has taken it upon himself to die in a ditch before agreeing to it. Interestingly, the Good Friday Agreement provides for a Referendum on the reunification of Ireland. Even more interestingly, if such a poll is held and the answer is No, the GFA provides that it can be revisited, but not for at least 7 years. So, it's good enough for one part of the United Kingdom, but evidently not for all parts of the United Kingdom.