Scotland, though, has traditionally had more influence on the UK than mere numbers would suggest. Of course, that is less true under modern Tory governments who really are mainly English based (and mostly southern England at that, the current PM holding a Yorkshire seat notwithstanding)
Whatever happens though, nationalism there isn't going to die or even majorly decline any time soon - but an erosion of the recent SNP electoral hegemony is certainly more plausible, especially if a Labour government does take power in Westminster and is well received.
I know the first referendum precedes Brexit, but I have to wonder how that has shaped the landscape in Scotland overall in terms of independence. My understanding is that an independent Scotland would have been quick to apply for EU membership.
I do wonder about a potential divide between hard nationalists and soft nationalists (and I really have no idea how large each group is). It's clear that the SNP has a firm lock on the former, but I wonder if the soft nationalists are predominantly those that hate the Tory Government in Westminster and would generally prefer to be part of the EU. I have to imagine there are serious forces within Labour that want to push for rejoining the EU (and make that part of the next campaign), but I can't imagine the leadership wants to go to Brussels with tails tucked between their legs. Electorally speaking though, it seems like there are serious inroads to be made in Scotland through such a strategy. Either way though, a Labour Government seems like it would be likely to soothe the majority in Scotland.
