Little point in points-scoring

THIS Wednesday the SNP government will proceed with the next stage of its "national conversation" on independence – a gathering of representatives of business and civil society to debate the pros and cons of constitutional change. Perhaps not by accident, the rival constitutional review being organised by the Unionist parties will today announce its own plans.

The existence of two separate and competing consultations on Scotland's political future does not bode well. The major political parties may pay lip service to the need for drawing up a balance sheet of devolution. And the notion of making Holyrood m...