Maddie's Potential Mishap.

In case you hadn’t heard, the Scots are to have a referendum on whether to remain in the UK or become independent. If they vote for the latter, do you realise what it will mean? The Union Flag will have to change; the blue will have to be bleached out to an unprepossessing white, and everybody’s current flags will become merely historical curios.

I’m concerned about my archaeologist friend Madeline in New York, who is wont to festoon walls with Union Flag bunting. Maybe she’ll have the presence of mind to bury it and dig it up again, exclaiming with gusto:

‘Aha!’

But then she’ll have to buy new bunting, and no doubt the flag makers are rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect. I wonder whether there will be a Compensation for Flag Owners clause in the severance agreement.