Independence in Britain

English bloggers and political commentators should stop referring to 'Independence-Lite' and 'Devolution-Max' and instead refer to 'Independence in Britain' because it better conveys what is entailed. 'Independence in Britain' is, of course, a parody of the SNP's slogan 'Independence in Europe' - a policy that seems a vote loser given the problems of the Eurozone and the sustained Eurosceptism of the Scottish population.

Personally I'm in favour of Scottish Independence in Britain because I think it is the best option for both Scotland and England. It's the best option for Scotland because it gives the Scottish Parliament power over all domestic matters whilst allowing Scotland to keep the Pound, therefore remaining outside the Euro; keep the security of being part of a larger [British] economic area; remain a constitutional monarchy, and; retain the social contract that the Scottish people have with their fellow islanders. More importantly it appears to be the option that finds favour with the Scottish people, assuming that they don't lose out financially, and is therefore the most achievable political reconfiguration of power.

For England the prospect of a Scotland that is politically - and to a large extent economically - Independent in Britain pushes resolution of the West Lothian Question, the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Question and the wider English Question to the fore. Scottish MPs at Westminster will become pariahs and the Englishness of Westminster will be a political reality that will be impossible to ignore. It is for this reason that the English should support the Scots' push for further powers. If Westminster will not recognise the popular sovereignty of the English people, and steadfastly positions itself as an Anglo-centric Imperial Parliament instead of recognising the right to self-governance of all its constituent nations, then it is fated to become an English parliament by default.