This may revitalize Scottish independence, since one of the arguments to keep Scotland in the UK was spreading uncertainty about Scotland's ability to stay in the EU if it left the UK.
This part has REALLY irritated me over last few weeks. The "ooh you know, EU membership isn't guaranteed..." scaremongering is particularly grating now that we are guaranteed to be out now.
There's no hard and fast rule (in fact the last vote was a little controversial; some claimed that it wouldn't be binding on the UK as a whole). At the time people were saying at least 5 years and more like 10 until a new vote.
The SNP's absolute dominance slipped a little in the last Scottish election, making a quick followup referendum less likely. But this new result will put it right back on the agenda.
In fairness to the SNP they increased their number of votes. It's a quirk of the voting system that their seat share decreased.
If there is a second vote I imagine the tone will be a lot less positive. Last time it was all about being a small, wealthy nation with the desire to stand up and make its own name in the world. This time, the previously small but poisonous anti-English voices in the campaign will be emboldened. It will be a vote to leave in panic rather than in confidence.
Overall as a staunch supporter of Scottish independence this is nowhere close to what I want to see.
I have the same fear. The previous campaign were very clear and consistent with a sort of "separate but best friends" view on how they'd like to see the Scotland/UK relationship. I suspect it'll be a little more hostile this time round
The First Minister did make sure to point out today that they can still be friends with England, Wales and Northern Ireland if the indyref2 succeeds and Scotland exits the UK, though. So the SNP isn't being openly hostile yet, even if they are obviously confrontational.
