Independence Referendum? Let's all have one (Part Two)

The thing is, if the Scots want more control over their future, they can have more independence within a federal system without giving up the benefits of being part of a country that still stands tall on the international stage. More devolution is feasible, but let it apply to everyone.  Let's have devolved parliaments for England (in England's second city, not in London) and Wales, or even for the regions.  Leave foreign policy and defence to Westminster and cut down the size of the UK parliament by 50% to help pay for the change.  A federal system works for many countries, so why not for the UK?

But apparently the UK government is not prepared to discuss this option and while Salmond is, it is only  part of his strategy for the bigger question.  I can only assume that this is because it does not suit their personal agendas; the trouble with devolution is that it does not enhance the job description of the incumbents.  I would have expected the Lib Dems to have been on the side of more devolution but so far, radio silence.

In the meantime we have a phoney war with no one really tackling the issue of what people want.  Mr Salmond wants his own little country and Mr Cameron wants his own bigger one.  Salmond accuses the British Government of posturing over not sharing the Pound while at the same time maintaining that he requires a currency union, without acknowledging that there are alternatives.  Posturing perhaps, Mr Salmond?  This all seems to childish to most of us, but unfortunately it is not childish, only politics.  Not very edifying, but that is what we have got.

 I doubt the Population of Scotland want independence; what they want is to be treated fairly, to have a better standard of living, for their children to have a good education, and to be respected in the world.  But isn't that what we all want?