Britain appears more politically fractured and disunited than ever before, with Scotland voting for a separatist party, England demanding ‘English Votes For English Laws,’ and Wales and Northern Ireland feeling ever more neglected as voices within the Union. The country’s long-simmering constitutional crisis has eventually come to a head, and many are even divided over how to successfully address it.

One suggested solution is that the UK adopt a federalist-type democracy, described as, “having or relating to a system of government in which several states form a unity but remain independent in internal affairs.” This route has been casually dismissed by David Cameron, who claims that he is not considering a federalist Britain. Yet, this move seems unrealistic and unachievable in the long-run, for several reasons.

Scotland stands out as the most significant challenge for Cameron, and one of the reasons why federalism may be inevitable in the future. The nation just emphatically rejected the watered down plans for further devolution and appears to have a profound appetite for more extensive powers, resembling a federalist state. Therefore, if the powers that the Scots appear to seek are not delivered, and legislation that does not satisfy them – with retrospect to last year’s promises of regarding ‘devo supermax’ – is introduced instead, Cameron can expect a shift towards independence out of the realisation that the extensive powers offered to Scotland last year were farcical. Thus, the Prime Minister faces a dramatic decision regarding Scotland: grant the country considerably more powers and face the possibility of a party rebellion from those who strongly oppose such a move, or choose to give Scotland watered down legislation that pleases his party but risks the future of the Union. So far he has opted for the latter – to an extent – but for how long he can maintain that stance appears questionable.

Secondly, an uproar from the Welsh and Northern Irish looks set to disturb the Prime Minister even further. For a long time now, both countries have felt out of favour and overlooked when it comes to devolution, and claim that Scotland has been favoured over themselves. Even the vehemently unionist parties, such as the DUP in Northern Ireland, are demanding a fairer deal for their countries, which includes the devolution of further powers. This stance is in line with much of the United Kingdom, who wish to have greater, decentralised, control over big issues.

In England, the desire for constitutional change is also prevalent: much of the country feels that MPs from outwith England should not be allowed to vote on issues that affect only England. Moreover, calls for an English parliament – similar to Scotland’s – have been made, which ratifies the extent to which people in the country seek change. This means that people from all four corners of the United Kingdom are favouring the route of decentralisation and more devolution.

History tells us, in the form of Scotland, that once a country is granted some significant powers, they only go on to seek more. Thus Wales, Northern Ireland and England may one day be calling for the devolution of more extensive powers that are in line with what Scotland is currently demanding – or at least the governing party in Scotland – such as welfare and full fiscal autonomy. And, considering what the SNP is seeking has been described by Cameron as ‘near-federalism,’ it appears that a federal Britain may soon be on its way.

Cameron can prolong this concept, but that may only endanger the Union, and prolonging what seems an inevitability is an act of denial – if not a waste of time. Even his own actions, such as his adamancy to discuss and propose further devolution, demonstrate tentative steps towards federalism, despite his dismissal of it. But his plans are nowhere near radical enough to satisfy those who demand change. The time has come for our Prime Minister and our nation to fully embrace federalism, rather than dismissing and disregarding it. Even Cameron must know that by not doing so, he is fighting a losing battle.

Ryan Curran

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