IF proof was needed that Scotland has a different political culture to the rest of the UK – the European referendum debate is the gift that just keeps giving.

Since the Holyrood elections are finally over, Scotland should be on the same page as the rest of the Euro-ref absorbed UK. But what’s sauce for the English goose is proving fairly toxic for the Scottish gander. Warnings about the scary, catastrophic, nuclear-war inducing consequences of leaving the EU by Cameron, Osborne et al have induced severe attacks of déjà vu among Yes voters who might think any proposition attacked by

Project Fear must be on the side of the angels.

Admittedly a quick glimpse at the swivel-eyed loons in the Leave camp restores a sense of balance. But if that prompts scunnered Scots to stay at home on polling day, the Remain campaign will have a big problem.

Meanwhile a “Scottish effect” is also apparent among

English voters. Each move by Leave to re-establish British sovereignty has been checked by an unwanted consequence – the probability of a second indyref. No matter how much bits of the English electorate want out of Europe, the fear of losing Scotland seems to be even greater. In truth, the whole Euroref is like a gigantic chess game between folk who normally play snap.

So the Clunking Fist himself was deployed yesterday to pour oil on troubled waters and turn alienating Tory-speak into something palatable for us folk north of the Border. It’s just a shame the whizz-kids of Remain don’t realise Gordon Brown’s clout ain’t what it used to be “up here”. He ain’t an MP, his party ain’t the opposition and he ain’t the man who delivered a parliament “as near federal as possible”. Thus, the prospect of another Broon lecture brings half the Scottish population out in a cold sweat.

Maybe, though, the former prime minister’s “first intervention” in the Euroref was aimed largely at voters south of the Border. He wrote a newspaper article ahead of the speech – worth examining because its core arguments are likely to be reprised several times before polling day, if Broon’s indyref record is anything to go by.

The former MP says it would “not be British” to leave the European Union – which kinda suggests a Brexit vote is the patriotic duty of those who feel Scottish. Broon also maintains “we have become reluctant Europeans”, more than half a century since the Second World War. Really – which “we” is that? Scots – three quarters of whom are expected to back the EU – or a’body else?

And if Scots are reluctant to get involved in the European Union, might that not be because important issues, such as farming and fishing, have so often been traded away by UK ministers who deny their Scottish counterparts any opportunity to speak at vital

EU forums?

BROON goes on: “I think most people would agree that it’s not British or in tune with the Churchillian spirit to simply disengage when Ukraine is in turmoil.” Now, to be fair, many folk will salute the memory of Churchill’s war leadership. But few of them live in Dundee where he was turfed out as MP in 1922 – spirit and all – in favour of the tee-total Edwin Scrymgeour.

Broon concludes it is also, “not British to retreat to Europe’s sidelines when there is a common fight against illegal immigration and terrorism”. Perhaps the former Labour MP for Kirkcaldy has been too busy globetrotting to notice, but retreating to the sidelines and failing to engage with the world’s migrant crisis is precisely what Britishness has become. Yesterday, Jeremy Corbyn challenged David Cameron to promise that 3,000 unaccompanied refugee children will definitely be allowed into Britain. The Prime Minister once again failed to give a unequivocal Yes.

But if Broon isn’t the Heineken solution – refreshing the parts

Ruth Davidson cannot reach – he’s hardly the Watney’s Red Barrel answer either.

A Vote Leave spokesman responded to Broon’s Churchillian lecture on behalf of all migrant-fearing southerners: “Gordon Brown was in a government that … opened our borders. Lessons on the patriotic case for the EU will ring hollow from a former prime minister with such a disastrous record.”

The praise of some metropolitan commentators only serves to accentuate Britain’s north-south political divide. Sky News’ Faisal Islam tweeted: “Most impressive pro-EU speech I’ve heard in the campaign so far from Gordon Brown. No project fear. Reminds me of his pre-indyref peroration.”

Faisal – for half of Scotland that’s just the problem.

So if Broon isn’t likely to win over Yes-leaning Scots or Little Englanders, what was yesterday about? Ah yes. Gordon has a new book out. Britain: Leading Not Leaving – The Patriotic Case for Remaining in Europe was apparently published yesterday, although at the time of writing I could not locate it online. La-de-da. My guess is many Scots will switch off the jarring Euro messages and adopt a “Remain with reservations” kinda outlook.

After all, Britain’s most popular politician, Nicola Sturgeon, wants the whole of the UK to stay in Europe even though a split result could trigger a second indyref – yip the prospect of post-indy border controls with rUK is that unappealing.

What Scots really need are bespoke televised debates between Scots who aren’t simultaneously trying to appeal to another electorate. Salmond v Sillars maybe, seconded by young women for age and gender balance. Any plans broadcasters? Or should Scottish viewers learn to love Gordon?