I DO hope this independence confrontation is not going to become unpleasant.

We will all have to live together after the referendum. Or maybe not if the result causes strife, civil war and partition.

With difficult decisions such as whether to have the Scottish Gaza Strip in Possil or the Mull of Kintyre which is better located with access to the sea.

It is a fair bet that Orkney will declare itself independent. The island of Westray will secede from the new Nordic Orcadian state only to find Papa Westray (population about 80 not including the sheep) chooses to go its own way. Norway may invade to impose order.

History tells us that partition causes chaos and misery. Prepare for traffic bulletins warning that refugees are blocking the M8 in both directions.

Parts of North Lanarkshire may become ungovernable. In Glasgow, it will be like Les Miserables behind the barricades when Tommy Sheridan, pictured, makes a last bid for power in the People's Republic of Pollok.

When the battles are over will the winning sides put the losers against a wall and shoot them? Probably not, but they will want to give the traitors a jolly good talking-to. Maybe even a show trial and a few years in a Greenock gulag.

Here's an idea to prevent any unpleasantness. It will also save a year of specious argument. The nation is waiting on tenterhooks with barely concealed excitement to find out which way Andy Murray will go on the independence issue.

Why not let our new national hero decide on our behalf? Murray is a sensible, regular kind of guy. He is down-to-earth, unimpressed by hype, and as qualified as anyone to make the call.

Let's not forget Murray has brought the Wimbledon tennis title back to Scotland after too long a wait. Since 1896, in fact, when Edinburgh-born Harold Mahony won. And before him Herbert Fortescue Lawford who took the title in 1887.

Yes, Mahony was actually Irish and Lawford was born in London but, under flexible Wimbledon nationality rules, qualify as Scottish.

But I digress. There may be a commission set up to advise Andy Murray in his independence decision. With input from eminent Scots such as singer Susan Boyle, Wee Jimmy Krankie, Lorraine Kelly and a new Brahan Seer if we can find one.

As long as Andy doesn't listen to Sir Alex Ferguson and other Abominable No Men.

tom shields trust Andy on indy

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