This present UK government has probably got quite a few problems but from my perspective its main problem is devolution.
It has this fundamental ideological quandary: Statistics tell us, it's logical take any group of people and assess their capabilities in anything and the numbers at any given ability or achievement level tail off towards the extremes.
Sometimes it's difficult to understand a graphic like that
So lets first say that is the same graph differently presented.
In these other two representations of the same curve we may see what is actually there.
In these two cases we have set the measurement vertically - height, speed of running whatever - what runs left to right is the number of individuals at a level in that measurement.
So there is not one lone individual at the mid or average point. A large proportion of people have that typical, average measurement.
So there is a problem. If that measurement was of How good are you at telling jokes? then everybody would go out and buy the DVD of the person at the top of the graph - number one in the chart.
The abilities of that person would not be typical or average they would be exceptional - sufficiently exceptional to warrant buying their CD or DVD..
The trouble with democracy is: When you vote you are supposed to be voting for which of the small number of exceptional candidates YOU want to 'buy' - have as your MP or councilor.
However, when we vote we do not vote for one or more from a self selected list of candidates we vote for one or more candidates from a list made up of individuals - independent candidates - and people nominated by organisations - party candidates.
Essentially, voters do not have the option of voting for the best candidate or if the best candidate does stand then if they vote for that candidate it will be a waste of time - even if that candidate is elected - if that best candidate is an independent and has no influence or links with the party that wins.
There is democracy in the market place. Nobody is told - in this country at this time - You will be able to buy your food and a Will Young CD, but if you choose to buy The Darkness you won't be allowed to buy any food.
So when the government offers devolution they are saying: We want you to have devolution and you can vote to have devolution they also say BUT when you have devolution what you will get is the chance to select a gang of local, typical, half way up the graph folk who will front for the career civil servants who are spending a couple of years on rotation in outer darkness and will be back in Whitehall before they are thirty...
Because God Forbid anybody with any nous and local loyalty get a hold of your local community and economy and set it up in competition to Whitehall.
No taxation without representation. No democracy without a free and fair access to the levers of power for whoever gets elected.
You can vote Labour but if the successful Labour candidate does what you want they'll not be labour any more. Then wadda ya do. Vote for the next official Labour candidate of course. So you are not voting for the candidate you are voting for the Party.
Most people realise that anyway and have a little flirtation with local democracy in by elections but vote for the Party and it's national Leader in General Elections.
So what the point of Devolved Assemblies?