All sorts of options are being talked about for a reformed setup of the country, and I'm curious to start a debate here - on the presumption Scotland votes to stay. I've put a few choices up in the poll, but they're by no means exhaustive. Here are a few suggested pros and cons for each of them:
*Super-federalisation - each region of the United Kingdom should have its own assembly and government. This would replicate the experience of devolution to the various regions of England, like the North-East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East, West Midlands, e.t.c. There would still be a federal government for all of the United Kingdom, responsible for federal matters.
Pros: A full England government might further an imbalance of power between itself - already by far the largest and most populous part of the kingdom - and the rest of the UK, so having England split would counteract that; an England government might also cover too diverse an area to be really representative.
Cons: The regions of England are artificial creations. Local and even English identities are far stronger than regional ones. Can powers really be devolved to areas whose populace feels no great connection?
*English Parliament - a parliament and government for all of England. As with super-federalisation, the only powers left to the United Kingdom government would be federal matters like defence and foreign affairs.
Pros: England, as its own country within the United Kingdom, arguably deserves its own single political power, much as what Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland enjoy.
Cons: As with pros for super-federalisation.
*English MPs vote on English matters - the basic setup of the United Kingdom stays the way it is, except those MPs elected to the UK Parliament in London from England get to be the only ones who can vote on matters that only apply to England, which could be many considering that the governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are increasingly responsible for sorting out their education, healthcare, some financial matters, e.t.c.
Pros: There is no great clamour for England or its regions to have their own assemblies - a referendum for one a few years ago in the North-East was handily defeated - so why push them? This could be a good compromise.
Cons: Could prove to be incredibly complicated, and doesn't address a desire for an English government.
*Status quo - basically, we've ignored these questions for so long, why not keep ignoring them yet longer?
Pros: Despite the constitutional problems with the status quo having been known for decades, the public by large is apathetic and not bothered, so why open up this can of worms when it will only cause complications?
Cons: You can only ignore this for so long.
*Re-centralise - devolving powers to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland has gone too far/was a bad idea entirely; powers should be reclaimed from those parts and given back to the central government in London.
Pros: Well, only a pro if you're a believer in centralisation.
Cons: The Scots would probably resurrect William Wallace
So, get voting!
