U.K. Takes a Page from Canada over Scottish Separation

British politicians are looking to the Clarity Act in handling some uppity Scots. Why not just go all Longshanks on them?

Stephane Dion's work on the Clarity Act might have earned him a fat lot of nothing in the decade after it became law, but he can find solace in knowing that the British government is using his act as a guide to handle a bid for Scottish independence. The Conservative coalition in power right now is reportedly seeking to define the terms of any secession referendum along the lines of what Dion laid out in the Clarity Act – specifically, that any referendum would have to pose a single, clear question so as to not confuse citizens over just what they're voting for. Talks of Scottish separation have coursed through British politics since, well, the 1290s, give or take. But ever since the Scottish National Party took control of Scotland's parliament in May, prospects for the northern half of Great Britain to get of the United Kingdom have become a lot brighter. The SNP has indicated it could hold a referendum on independence in 2014, although given the way things have gone in England this past year, you can hardly blame them.