Thread.

The rise in support for independence is causing some commentators to once again propose a reform of the UK into a Federation

In our 2018 paper, we raise questions about their proposals

https://commonweal.scot/policy-library/unequal-kingdom-barriers-federalism-uk

#WeHaveAnAnswerForThat
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1) Federalism itself says nothing about the level of decentralisation within a country. It's possible to create a very centralised Federation where the States have only symbolic duties. Will Federalism lead to more or less power for Scotland?

2) The size of England compared to the other nations of the UK gives it an in-built supermajority on all votes. Will the Federal Government give the smaller nations a veto or will it be designed so that they can outvote England should they need to?

3) The size of England raises the possibility that the country could be dissolved as an entity and be split into several states. Would and should England vote for its own dissolution?

4) The level of Devolution across the UK is not the same. Would a Federal UK equalise powers to all states or would some have more than others?

Would Scotland lose powers it has now - like our distinct legal system - or could we see "Yorkshire Law" created similar to Scots Law?

5) If these changes are made and Scotland or another state still decides to become independent, would there be a process in the Constitution to allow this (as the EU has) or would there be a Constitutional block against "secession" (like Spain)?

6) Would the Federation be designed so that it could remain stable if one or more states decide to leave? If not, why should England vote for such a deep constitutional reform only for it to fall apart through no fault of their own?

7) What powers would the Federal Government have? Would it be able to legislate over the wishes of the state governments as the UK Government can and does now?

8) How would the Federal Government be determined? Would it be directly elected as the US Government is, or will it consist of appointed representatives from the states like the EU Commission is?

9) How would the Federal Government be funded? Would it have direct tax raising powers or would it be funded via a Block Grant from the states?

If the former, which taxes?

10) Why is Federalism only being offered as an "alternative" to independence given that, from a UK point of view, it involves even deeper constitutional changes than Scottish independence would?

What is the actual pathway to creating a Federal UK from where we are now?

Federalism is an idea worthy of development but simply throwing the idea out into the air is not sufficient.

Proponents of a Federal UK should be able and prepared to defend their proposal with at least the same level of detail as they demand of the independence movement. /End