Don't laugh. It'll be sooner than you think.
As the embattled Tony Blair shuffles his cabinet after disastrous Labour party losses in council elections,I wonder if he realises that the Scots, always prominent in Westminster politics, are quietly making a run towards total rule of the "Sassenachs"!
Consider the following facts and judge whether you think there is no Scottish "coup" in the offing:
There is no doubt that "Oor Dour Gordon" Brown will take over from Blair. The Chancellor is the "Heir Apparent" and will, eventually be Tony's successor. (I am not too happy with the process involving succession but I'll comment on that some other time.)
The new Home Secretary, after Charlie Clarke let all those prisoners loose, is John Reid. A former Scottish Secretary and Minister of everything before this new appointment, he is the Scottish Terrier in the Blair ranks and he is tough, fierce and loyal--like the breed.
Alistair Darling, another former Scottish Secretary, moves to the cabinet as Secretary of Trade and Industry. He has his faults but is as Scottish ( and I mean pure), as they come.
There are other Scots in Westminster with important posts. One thinks of Adam Ingram, Minister Of Defence (non-cabinet) and Sir Menzies (Ming) Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats.There are others too.
Clearly the Scots are gearing up for a new devolution (though unintentional), but nevertheless I do lick my lips at the thought. Mary, Queen of Scots would rejoice in her grave but I doubt if the English English feel very comfortable about it! Scots Whae Hae!