stoter

Thanks, I think many people I spoke to in the run-up to the referendum were surprised that there was so little engagement in the debate from the US, given both the omnipresent American presence in our media and the fact that the removal of nuclear weapons installations was another central issue.

You should have a look at the debate, it's still ongoing with the result of the UK general election looking to be determined by the pro-independence Scottish parties. Culturally Scotland's become an interesting place. With an 85% turn out everyone, it seems, is now both a constitutional expert and a political scientist!

Last year in Scotland there was a referendum regarding independence from Westminster rule. A major thread in the debate was an appeal to the enlightenment principles which contributed to the political philosophy of the USA, with particular attention given to the unelected house of lords and, from some sectors, the monarchy. Yet when prominent US political figures were asked their opinions on independence they largely opposed. Obama famously said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" to which the response was "it is broken".

Do you think Scottish independence is a non-issue in US politics leading to apparently ignorant statements, or is there a strong will to maintain the status quo of the UK?

Thanks!