Perhaps general election week is not the best time to approach the political process naively. Then again - maybe it is exactly the right time.

There is something of 'the Emperor's Clothes' about this year's campaign - especially in Scotland. It seems the 'black arts' of the spinmeisters, focus groups, and carefully arranged photo opportunities are not cutting the mustard any more. Whether it's voter fatigue built up over a long Referendum campaign - or more people tuned in to the way politics has operated over recent decades, sleeves rolled up, tie-less appearances in factories, vows engraved in stone, and constant references to football, no longer seem to be cutting the mustard. If we believe the polls, the electorate are more impressed by accessible party leaders, simple messages of conviction, and community involvement.

Examining this state of affairs, we can come to the ironic conclusion that the only party benefiting from the Union in this campaign has been the SNP - whose aim is to end it.

The Scottish Conservatives have little chance of overcoming the toxicity of the their UK Party post-Thatcher, and the LibDems are now deemed guilty by association through the coalition's exploits. Meanwhile, Scottish Labour - as Johan Lamont suggested, are hamstrung by a UK organisation which is in thrall to Middle England in its chase for a Westminster majority. All of them have baggage furth of our borders - while the SNP - and the autonomous Greens - can claim to 'speak for Scotland' unencumbered by other considerations.

Though there will always be voters and politicians for whom 'the red line' is the Union, and mythical 'world power status', in a land of Hope. Glory, and Daily Mail -more voters are coming to recognise that if the political process does not reflect the wishes of the electorate, and serves the interests of only an economic, social, or geographical elite, then, to all intents and purposes, it is broken and unfit for purpose.

No less than any other country, as we have seen over the past fifty years, Scotland's best interests are not served by the dominance of one party. The reality is that, within our boundaries, there are those who hold a wide range of political views - from left wing 'old style' socialism to land owning one nation Toryism. All deserve representation in a balanced parliament - a legislature which reflects the views of all Scots - left and right, north and south, east and west, highland and lowland.

The irony is - were Scotland to be independent, then the full range of parties and views would be more equally represented in a true national parliament - rather than one which is elected through a filter of the national question, devo max, and Westminster ambitions. An independent Labour party would fare much better than at present with the chance to promote positive, progressive policies; the SNP, or successor party could represent left of centre social democracy, the LibDems could return to their traditional centrist position, with the Greens promoting eco issues, and Conservative areas of the country could feel adequately represented as well.

An independent, national Parliament could do the job is it supposed to do - which is to reflect and represent all shades of opinion in the country which elects it. No party would be constrained by the needs of politicians outside of Scotland, nor by constant referral to constitutional rearrangements. The people would be served - and a Union forged for specific reasons three centuries ago would be seen to have served its purpose and would give way to a new, modern, co-operative and truly representative set up.

A progressive, well functioning political process in Scotland would be to the benefit of all the constituent nations of these islands - and, coincidentally, or otherwise, would refresh the fortunes of those unionist parties who currently seems to be swimming against the tide.

The reality of this state of affairs, of this political need, will become even more clear by late on Friday of this week, I suspect.

I wonder how many politicians will seek to embrace it?