[ritchiebaby]

Unlike some, I'm prepared to give her a chance to negotiate a deal over the next 2 or 3 years. Perhaps she is posturing, but no more than the numerous EU leaders.

The pound has gained value today and I'd have thought that would have pleased the doom merchants. It seems interest rates are set to rise and that will probably help the pound as well.

Thankfully Scotland voted to remain in the UK in 2014, otherwise we would be suffering a deficit due to the falling price of oil in the past 2 years. The NHS in Scotland isn't doing well and neither is Social Care. Nor the Fire Service, nor Police Scotland, nor Education.

As far as immigration and control are concerned, I'd remind everyone that we are still members of the EU for at least 2 years and as such won't be able to take any action on these fronts for that time.

I'm a retiree on an adequate pension thanks to a bit of foresight and investment under both Tory and Labour governments. Unfortunately these governments made a right pig's ear of spending my PAYE and we found ourselves in a bit of a mess as a member of the EU, so I voted to leave the EU - no forgiveness required.

As a final thought, I always thought that London/ South versus the North divide has been as you describe for years, although on an unofficial basis.