Stuart McAnulla: Shockwaves of Scots’ vote will be felt in North

However, if Scotland votes “yes”, the economic and political implications for the rest of the UK – including the north of England – could be profound. Depending on which side you listen to, Scottish independence could deliver either a huge blow for areas such as Yorkshire, or in fact provide it with an economic boost.

An independent Scottish Parliament would have the power to set its own tax rates. Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Alex Salmond has already made it clear he intends to use these powers to set corporation tax at levels significantly below those of England. The intention is to try to make investment in Scotland more attractive to international business in comparison to other regions such as the north of England.

Within Scotland, the SNP presents itself as a progressive party, arguing that it is more committed to social justice and tackling poverty that either the Labour or Conservative parties.

However, it has sought to fend off charges that Scottish independence could actually lead to worse conditions in other parts of the UK. Alex Salmond has argued that an economically powerful Edinburgh could act as a counter-weight to the “dark star” of the city of London. He suggests that this could re-balance the British economy, preventing people and resources being inexorably drawn to London as the economic centre.

In theory then, areas such as Yorkshire could benefit as there would be rival economic “poles” and financial services would no longer be so heavily concentrated in the south of England.

However, critics point out that even if this ambitious goal could be achieved, the north of England would not directly benefit from the increased tax revenues gained in Edinburgh. Salmond’s recent suggestions that areas such as Yorkshire could actually gain from Scottish independence may partly reflect something of a “guilty conscience”, given the possible political implications of Scottish separation.

Like Yorkshire, Scotland is currently a part of the UK that tends to return mainly Labour MPs to Westminster. Both areas have often felt neglected by Conservative, or Conservative-led governments, particularly in times of austerity. If Scottish MPs were removed from the current House of Commons, the Conservative Party would actually have a majority.

Little wonder then that Labour front-bencher Andy Burnham has appealed to Scots for a “No” vote, imploring: “For God’s sake, help us out. If you vote ‘Yes’ you are saddling us with the Tories in government.”

In fact it would be far from impossible for Labour to win at Westminster without Scotland. Indeed New Labour would still have won majorities in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 general elections even without Scottish MPs. However, there is currently a “hung” parliament, and with Labour currently not performing particularly well in national polls, it is possible that Scottish MPs will matter significantly.

The SNP are keen to down-play the idea that Scotland and England will suffer from any “divorce” following a vote for independence. They stress that the nations will continue to be strongly linked both economically and socially.

Some suggest that in the long term Scottish independence could even revive calls for more regional government in the north of England, possibly enabling powers to be devolved.

Also, Scottish independence would bring to an end the current arguments made that people currently living in Scotland currently unfairly receive more public spending per person than those living in England.

Yet it should be remembered that if Scotland votes for independence, then a long period of negotiating the terms of separation will follow.

Whatever the good intentions of decision-makers, the political fallout of negotiations could become ugly. Opponents of Scottish independence often suggest that political arguments along Scottish-English lines are likely to be harmful at a time when solidarity between ordinary people in cities like Leeds and Glasgow may be more productive.

As matters stand, the outcome of the referendum is not certain and debates on the issue are certain to become more intense over the remaining three months. Only those living in Scotland will have a vote, but it is clear that the result will have consequences for people living across the whole of the UK.

On Saturday, June 14, academics will discuss the implications of Scottish independence, at the University of Leeds. The Scottish Referendum: The End of Britain? is free, register at www.llc.leeds.ac.uk/events/the-scottish-referendum-the-end-of-britain.

• Dr Stuart McAnulla is a lecturer in the School of Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds.