From stewartb:
What can we learn about this supposed cause of bad ‘divisiveness’ from our recent past? Did the political division in Scotland in the lead up to 2014 and afterwards turn out so bad? – apart from the indyref result ofcourse!
The ONS Annual Population Survey assesses a sample of UK citizens about personal well-being. It asks people to evaluate, on a scale of 0 to 10, how satisfied they are with their life overall, whether they feel they have meaning and purpose in their life, and about their emotions (happiness and anxiety) during a particular period.
“Between the years ending December 2016 and 2017, improvements in worthwhile and happiness ratings in the UK were driven by Scotland, where average (mean) ratings also improved.”
Also, average life satisfaction, worthwhile and happiness ratings in Scotland between the years ending March 2012 and December 2017 showed a STEADY IMPROVEMENT on all three metrics.(see Figure 2a)
Average anxiety ratings in Scotland between the years ending March 2012 and December 2017 (see Figure 2b). Interestingly the average anxiety rating actually FELL in Scotland according to the ONS from 2012 and until around late 2014, i.e. it fell over time leading up to the indyref. It has risen thereafter – as has mine!
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Apologies but this is a bit off topic but does the quote below from the Guardian explain Gordon Brown’s latest intervention.
“”This weekend, politicians and activists of many parties and none, including Gordon Brown, Andy Burnham and David Lidington, are meeting in Newcastle at a These Islands conference to debate alternatives to some of the forces that are trying to pull the country apart.””
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Probably yes. Here is the info on the Newcastle event with its glorious list of contributors, including Willie Rennie!
https://www.these-islands.co.uk/publications/i346/newcastle_conference_programme_finalised_and_ticket_update.aspx
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I believe I may have been personally responsible for this.
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