Many of us who voted Yes in the referendum last September had no difficulty with the principle of independence but might have had nagging doubts about the quality of those who would implement it.

Our reservations were possibly fuelled by the Scottish Parliament's first 15 years.

Understandably, new legislatures set out to make their mark and let the rest of us know they are there and working hard. When former foreign and home secretaries have surprising amounts of time for walking and reading, newly elected representatives like to appear busy.

While devolution undoubtedly delivered important powers, many of the real economic and social levers, including taxation and welfare, resided stubbornly at Westminster.

Consequently, the territory that the new parliament at Holyrood could mark out was severely restricted. It hasn't quite been parish-pump stuff, but at times it has seemed like it.

The limitations of the 1999 settlement contributed to an understandable urge for successive Scottish governments to "do something" in areas where a remit exists, sometimes whether legislation is needed or not. SNP ministerial cabinets in particular have found the urge irresistible.

The result has been unnecessary and unwelcome centralisation and a variety of ill-conceived measures that have done little to improve the quality of our lives.

Perhaps the most obvious is Police Scotland, mired in controversy since its inception. Similarly, the proposal to abolish corroboration in criminal trials arose more from the desire of former Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill to be seen to be "doing something" than from a well-defined need.

And so it goes on. The Scottish Government continues to shout "look at us" through legislation driven by an attention-seeking disorder and a desire to be the first to do something. A five pence levy on carrier bags and the reduction in the drink-drive limit? I rest my case.

However, the prospect of additional powers for Holyrood could be a game-changer. For the first time, MSPs will have the tools to address the things that really matter to Scots. They will be able to raise their eyes from base camp and seek out the higher ground.

But hang on a minute. As any walker or climber will verify, high ground can be a challenging and scary environment, especially for the unwary, poorly equipped or inexperienced.

The emerging political high ground will present complex political, administrative and technological challenges. How confident are we that our politicians and administrators will be sufficiently competent beyond the political foothills?

The omens are not good. The Holyrood chamber is not awash with high quality thinking and debate. Television coverage often resembles a nightmarish version of Celebrity Squares. (For readers under 40, ask your dad.) The role of many MSPs appears to be to nod and grin behind their respective front-bench spokesmen and women.

Worryingly, the quality of candidates for the forthcoming General Election does not suggest a rich seam of native talent ready to be mined. I had more or less decided how to vote for on May 7; until a candidate was chosen, that is. In an eminently winnable seat can I place my trust in a 23-year-old, the ubiquitous "political researcher" who is closely related to a sitting MSP? This is not a one-off.

A candidate of similar "experience" and background has been selected for an adjacent and equally winnable seat.

I know, I know, Pitt the Younger was prime minister at 23 and, as a former teacher, I am positive about our young people.

But are potential MPs and MSPs with minimal experience of life what we need at this time? If the experience and expertise of our Westminster candidates are anything to go by, we have a potential problem for the next Scottish Parliament elections next year.

We are in danger of replicating a Westminster political class for whom politics is an end in itself, increasingly distant from the things that really matter to the rest of us.

There is a strong case for parties casting their nets more widely.

In all probability, the 2016 elections will be the most important since the Holyrood Parliament's inception.

Those elected will shoulder the huge responsibility of initiating and implementing legislation arising from additional powers. Those powers have the potential to change all our lives, for good or ill. For all our sakes, let us hope they are up to it.

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