Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Kingdom is united” (September 20). The historical referendum was laced more with emotion than reasoning. British Prime Minister David Cameron and political parties of Britain initially went easy with the referendum only to beat a hasty retreat to the final days, leading to the voting with Mr Cameron being compelled to avail the services of a former Prime Minister, and a Scottish, Mr Gordon Brown, to scale down the Scottish advantage. On the other hand, Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond went the whole way from day one. Though Britain has ‘won’, it will re-shape into a more federal and decentralised nation.
The ‘Barnett formula’ promised to Scotland may be non-feasible. The promises of ‘home rule’ and a greater say in welfare schemes when devolution process begins early next year, are bound to create rift and rancour in Britain and Scotland. Northern Ireland and Wales will no longer be sitting ducks and will demand their share of the pie. The united British identity has taken a beating. The referendum is a message to many, particularly Indian States, that there is more advantage and comfort in being one.