Simon Jenkins correctly highlights that “unionist joy is misplaced” and that Scottish independence is very much alive and well (Sturgeonism is dead but the independence cause is not. Westminster beware, 10 April 2023). Three factors drive it: the UK economy, the Conservative party and Scottish demographic voting intentions.
The UK economy used to work for most countries and regions: that was the basis of the union. Regional GDP data shows that it now works for two regions, London and the south-east. Levelling up is correctly regarded as a vacuous slogan. Unlike the English regions, Scotland does not need to accept this built-in inequality. An independent Scotland can shape the economy to meet its needs, or fail trying.
