"local authorities have also been strapped for cash especially with the council tax freeze."

Not by any means all, in fact I suspect not many!

My own County Council is cutting services, while sitting on over twenty million pounds idle liquid dosh, earmarked, they say, "For a rainy day".

Newsflash! It's been pissing down for a couple of years, but you would rather have a dig at the government than do YOUR job!

This is representative of the mindset of those to whom some people suggest devolved powers should be given.

As for Scotland, I'm sure that would be King Alex will still be pushing to take Scotland in the direction he wants, and therefore an English parliament relieved of all who serve constituencies in Scotland is essential, and as soon as possible.

The Welsh and Northern Irish don't bother themselves with purely English matters, but the Scots, who decry rule from Westminster, still insist upon voting on such.