IN WHAT is a historic day for them, the people of Scotland have voted to give their country its first Parliament for nearly 300 years.

It is the fulfilment of Labour's election promise on devolution.

But it is also something else of great importance.

It is a vessel for People Power.

For democracy that can only be good.

It is true that the demand for greater autonomy in Scotland and Wales may be tinged with nationalist sentiments.

But it is no less valid that the same right applies to Britain's other regions like ours, the North West, even if there is not, as yet, the great demand for it.

Too much power is centralised in London, local government has been weakened and too many affairs handed over to essentially-undemocratic quangos.

Now, when the English see their counterparts in Scotland having much closer control over their affairs, through a domestic parliament, it is inevitable that the demand for equally-powerful regional assemblies will grow to match the basic right of all people to it.

The ultimate conclusion may be a federated United Kingdom, with Westminster remaining a top-tier legislature for national affairs such as defence and foreign relations, but it will give the the United Kingdom the added strength of People Power at work all over the country.

If, then, this is a historic day for Scotland, it may also herald a new era for the rest of Britain.

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