More questions than answers in Brussels as Scotland votes

Either way, a split would leave a reduced Britain politically weaker in Brussels and beyond, many argue, with its defence force shrinking and questions arising over its nuclear deterrent, which consists of Trident submarines stationed off Scotland.

"These shifts would make it harder for Britain to argue that it should maintain its place on the UN Security Council," said Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform think tank...

..."Catalan separatists already treat the Scottish referendum - whatever its result - as a victory, since Scotland is being allowed to vote," Grant said.

A yes vote would "surely embolden the Catalans," he added, predicting knock-on effects for other parts of the EU, including Spain‘s Basque country and the Belgian region of Flanders.