The challenge ahead

On the day when the Nationalists publish their blueprint for Scottish independence I long for a sign that my compatriots have the guts to embrace radical change.

Nowhere are the mechanisms of twentieth-century parliamentary governance seen as fully 'fit for purpose'. The Americans wallow in the depths of democratic self-destruction... here in Germany following the October elections we still have no conclusion to the coalition negotiations... the Westminster parliament is increasingly mired in sophomoric strife.

How welcome, then, are words like those below, quoted from a document titled 'Scotland's Declaration of Radical Independence'... 

"It is a fine Scottish tradition; to find what works, to find out how it works and to make it work better. For centuries Scotland’s ingenuity has been a gift to the world. Now let it be a gift also to ourselves. Let us gift ourselves an economy where we make and create. Let our creativity make working people prosperous. Let prosperous people sustain a great welfare state. Let that state end the fear that comes with insecurity. Let us gift ourselves that Scotland."