Debate regarding how we are governed in Scotland is dominated by the question of whether Scotland should remain part of the British Union or leave and join the European Union.

"Independence" is a red herring, the real question is not Yes or No but which union you prefer, the fully formed British Union or the European Union which is still work-in-progress.

The noise about which union Scotland should be in crowds out any real assessment of whether all is well within Scotland itself.

The point of devolution was not to create a rival Government which could do what it liked but to create one with extensive powers over matters within Scotland which directly affect the daily lives of people here.

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Having a Parliament in Scotland whose job did not include things like energy policy, banking regulation, foreign policy and defence is not a weakness it is a strength. It enables the Parliament to concentrate, from a solely Scottish perspective, on things like health and education as well as dealing with issues which within a British context might not get the focus or priority they deserve such as ferries and roads.

The system for electing the Scottish Parliament was designed to prevent one party gaining control and encourage consensus through a need for co-operation between parties in order to pass legislation.

The Scottish Parliament was given no revising chamber but instead relied on Committees to........

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