I make no apologies for returning to the subject of Scottish independence for a second time as it is of such importance to the future of the UK.
It's not often that the subject of the 'West Lothian Question' gets beyond the politics pages or the history lessons but it's certainly on the front pages this week. To some it has come to represent how the relationship between England and Scotland should work in detail, but its specific meaning is about representation in Westminster.
The referendum on Scottish independence on Thursday has absolutely huge ramifications and it seems to be dawning on us all just how wide ranging they are. In a response to the draw of the YES campaign politicians from all parties have suggested that further powers could be devolved to Scotland - so called Devo-Max - if they vote against full independence. So it seems that whatever happens in the vote things will change dramatically for the Union.
As the economic benefits of Union are laid out in Scotland, some people in England may be starting to question the deal. State spending per capita is higher, residential care for the elderly is more affordable and, of course, there are no university tuition fees for Scottish students. However, there is a real democratic imbalance too and that is what will come under the closest scrutiny in the event of a NO vote. Scotland currently sends 59 MPs to Westminster. They can vote on all matters, many of which will have no relevance to Scotland. With its own Parliament, Scotland has control of many issues and will potentially get increased powers over many more. Understandably many are starting to question why Scottish MPs can vote on matters which solely affect England.
As I wrote in my last column, I am pro the union and hoping for a NO vote on Thursday. I do think, though, that the issue of fair representation will have to be addressed. I suspect there is little appetite in the country for a new English Parliament, with another raft of politicians, so perhaps the solution would be that only English MPs can debate and vote on matters that pertain solely to England.
The passionate scenes in Scotland being shown on the news really bring home how intense things have become there but also cause me to have some sympathy for another group. The Scots who have chosen to make their home in England must be incredibly anxious about the result and don't even get the chance to vote. I do think the eligibility to vote has been handled insensitively.
My other thought as events unfold is one of support for David Cameron. In what is clearly a difficult week, with urgent foreign affair issues to attend to also, the blaming of him for tensions in Scotland is unfair. The strength of feeling on both sides shows that calls for a referendum could not be ignored. There will never be a 'right time' for something of this magnitude and rather than complacency it showed a certain courage to go ahead and, importantly, not leave it to someone else.
I write all this conscious of the fact that it may seem out of date by Friday. I also don't claim to be any sort of constitutional expert, but it does seem that this week will one for the history lessons of the future.
