That's what I meant about never starting down this road Chugalug2. It's now all what if's.
What did the 45% or the 55% really want other than Independence for the former and something else for the latter. Independence was a life long desire for some, a painless option for others based on dubious assertions (same currency and continued EU membership). Will we ever know the truth? Did No win through thanks to a promise of more powers? We will never know that either as the PM ruled out a Devo Max option on the voting paper.
FM Salmond complained that Westminster cuts meant he was unable to do more about social issues but his Government imposed a rates freeze for years starving Councils of additional funds. He never used enhanced powers already granted by Westminster to vary Income Tax by up to 3% up or down. Perhaps no great surprise in the long, long build up to the referendum but a moot point if he really wanted to redistribute income.
The SNP and UKIP both press the same buttons. DC wants an EU referendum like a hole in the head. He got maneuvered into the promise but to deliver it, he still needs to win next year so is now trying to counter UKIP and Labour down south by playing the English card.
Our Yes voters will do his work for him in Scotland's Labour heartlands. I also doubt quite so many voters elsewhere in Scotland will be as willing to vote for the SNP at any level other than Local Council Elections simply to avoid the danger of going through this process again soon. Perhaps our one Conservative MP will have some friends next year.
A post 2016 Scottish Parliament could still have a large element of hardcore Nationalists but it might never be in the position it was in last week to call the shots.