Rox the devolved powers are extremely limited. Scotland does not have control over micro or macro economic policy. As I stated if Scotland were given the same powers within the UK as the UK had in the EU then maybe that might work. Scotland has introduced some important social advances but if they had the same level of control over their economy as the EU Countries or the UK they would be able to do so much more. Scotland has shown on many occasions that they would like to emulate the Scandinavian countries. They cant do that without having the control over their Economy and laws that those Countries have.
The Union may well have been around for a long time but it hasn’t evolved and is one of the most centralised states in the West. When in the EU, the UK had the richest and poorest regions within the UK at the same time and there was no sign that the situation was improving. You may not rate the SNP and no doubt they haven’t got it all right but their strength in Scotland is evidenced by the support they get from the Scottish electorate.
Brexit whether you like it or not has broken the Union, The Northern Irish protocol is a Tory made mess and when Westminster stole the repatriated powers from the EU which should have gone back to the devolved administrations that pretty much sealed the demise of the Union.
If you dont see the difference between Trump and Biden then I pity you.
Wigwam they dont call the Irish Republic the Celtic Tiger for nothing. The GDP per capita figures whilst not perfect give a good indication as to a Countries economic strength and are recognised Internationally as such. The main source of London’s wealth is from its position as a Financial Capital for multi National Financial institutions, but that doesnt diminish the fact that it has one of the highest GDP per capita figures in Europe. Had Northern Ireland had access to the same powers they may well have had the same success.
As mentioned Scotland like Northern Ireland and Wales benefit from the Barnet consequential so why aren’t the Tories, who as part of their political psyche view entities that aren’t paying their way with revulsion, positively forcing Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to leave the Union?
As to the original point of this post the lack of understanding and respect for Scotlands rights as a proud Country is truly appalling. Is it any wonder that Independence is back on the agenda?