Scotland’s moves towards independence have panicked the UK government, but its hasty plans for reform may be too late
The potential breakup of Britain has crept up on Boris Johnson in plain sight. Cavalier inattention in Downing Street to the souring political mood towards Whitehall in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as in parts of northern England, has been increasingly reckless. It may already be impossible for the Conservatives to retrieve the situation and keep the United Kingdom together much longer.
Nevertheless, although it is late in the day, and in spite of the fact that ministers are arming themselves with policy responses that may prove ineffective, the Johnson government now claims to be on full alert over the threat to the union. As it finally faces up to this country’s potential breakup, the government is preparing a counterattack that may prove too little and too late, and may fail. Yet it unquestionably marks a distinct change of approach after years of complacency.
