I'm not suggesting a referendum should have taken place, this is hardly the right time to ask people to vote for a referendum but you've got to play the hand you're dealt.
Personally I thought Nicola was way out with asking for a S30 when she did, can't remember exactly why as I've had other things that occupied my mind since then but do remember thinking the timing was wrong, walking away with barely a shrug was very very poor IMO, in the real world you're done when you're bluff has been called so badly.