[Livia]

Originally Posted by James

One of things that is really annoying me now about this debate in Scotland is that the word 'Westminster' is now being used as a kind of term of abuse.

It's that cynicism that is driving the yes campaign.

I think the Westminster parliament must be one of the oldest and greatest parliaments in the world - a beacon of democracy.

Yes, people are cynical about politicians but I'm sure that happens in all democracies where free-speech exists. It's because Westminster has most of the responsibility to make the big decisions and also gets most of the media publicity that it gets the cynicism directed at it.

If Scotland got a completely independent government and parliament it's politicians would get the same cynicism. Guaranteed.

Yes, I agree with that completely. And yes, it really is the Mother of Parliaments. My post was more a personal comment... I worked for the Tories till last year and spent a lot of time in Westminster and it was, to say the least, frustrating. I still work for the government and sometimes I still get an overwhelming urge to fling poo at politicians.