After a two-year referendum campaign, Scotland last Thursday voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. Despite the Scots' rejection of independence by a margin of 55 to 45 percent, Britain will never be the same again.
Even among those voting No to independence, many want to see a more autonomous Scotland as part of a federal U.K. English and Welsh voters share Scots' disenchantment with Britain's current system of government, as demonstrated by growing support for anti-system parties and declining turnout in elections across the U.K.
Ten days before Scotland's referendum, opinion polls showed the Yes campaign pulling ahead. In a panic, the leaders of Britain's three main parties offered Scotland more devolved powers to avert the breakup of the union.