Scottish independence is hardly a simple matter of kilts and bagpipes and Braveheart shouting, “Freedom!” If Scottish voters Thursday approve a referendum to separate from England, they would wreak unprecedented damage on the United Kingdom.

A breakup of Britain would weaken the international security posture and diplomatic clout of both England and Scotland. Moving the Trident submarines would make NATO more vulnerable. A ‘yes’ vote would also encourage Europe’s other separatist movements and change the political makeup of England by making it a more conservative nation without the leftist Scots.

The referendum would not lead to immediate independence. It would set the stage for 18 months of complicated negotiations between London and Edinburgh over the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, North Sea oil, monetary policy and other issues entwined in a union more than 300 years old.

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