Major : Scots should have devolution max

I’m sure I should be more concerned about the deckchair rearranging at News International and the feigned outrage of politicians and police who are belatedly growing spines in response to whole sick and sordid affair, but then that would assume that things are likely to change anytime soon. The Screws has folded to be replaced by the Sun on Sunday and BSkyB will be in full Murdoch control within the year, that much is obvious, the rest of the circus is to make weary voters feel as if change is taking place.

As for ongoing Welsh Lib Dem slow motion car crash/farce it proves that things can always get worse for them (hard to believe I know), but the fact they could still end up in Government before the end of the current Assembly term will help debase Welsh politics even further in the public’s mind, something that should worry all parties.

But back to former Tory PM John Major’s speech on the future of Scottish Devolution, he appears to be laying the ground on behalf of current Tory PM David Cameron for some serious constitutional changes at least between England and Scotland. No doubt Scotland' First Minister is delighted.

According to Nick Robinson he said "The present quasi-federalist settlement with Scotland is unsustainable. Each year of devolution has moved Scotland further from England. Scottish ambition is fraying English tolerance. This is a tie that will snap - unless the issue is resolved.

"The union between England and Scotland cannot be maintained by constant aggravation in Scotland and appeasement in London. I believe it is time to confront the argument head on.

"Why not devolve all responsibilities except foreign policy, defence and management of the economy? Why not let Scotland have wider tax-raising powers to pay for their policies and, in return, abolish the present block grant settlement, reduce Scottish representation in the Commons, and cut the legislative burden at Westminster?

"My own view on Scottish independence is very straightforward: it would be folly - bad for Scotland and bad for England - but, if Scots insist on it, England cannot - and should not - deny them."

You could be cynical and say that David Cameron doesn’t want to be remembered are the PM who lost Scotland and is willing to grant Alex Salmond a lot of things he wouldn’t have dreamed about a few years back to keep him sweet, but it’s still a big step change for Party that until recently was the Conservative and Unionist Party. As yet I haven’t seen any response from Labour.

As for what all this means for Wales in the short term not a lot i suspect, but it could alter things medium and long term if Scotland gets wider ranging new powers and can set its own course, there’s more in the Sunday Telegraph.Any source