The main benefit of being devolved over the last 13 years is not having to worry too much about what is going on with the Westminster Government.
Which is just as well since David Cameron's Cabinet reshuffle seems to be a victory above all for rhyming slang.
Jeremy Hunt made a dog's dinner of his job as Culture Secretary and was caught cosying up to Rupert Murdoch in the matter of the media tycoon taking even more control of British television. Mr Hunt solved that problem by going into denial, sacking a subordinate, and making an unconvincing appearance before the Leveson inquiry. Apparently this is the kind of stuff on your CV that's gets you put in charge of the National Health Service. Thankfully, it's the English NHS we're talking about.
I may have skimmed rather too quickly over the details of Cameron's minor surgery to his government but it seems the whole thing was necessary because of disagreement over a third runway for Heathrow airport. The upshot of this is that a right-wing bloke who is not bovvered about the dangers of climate change is now in charge of the environment.
Other right-wing Tories have been appointed ministers and may well pursue their pet policies such as taking Britain out of Europe, bringing back old money and imperial measures, and putting more people in prison. Meanwhile, the only cool dude in the Westminster Government has been demoted. Kenneth Clarke, the old fellow once famous for his Hush Puppies and small cigars, has been removed from the justice department because he is dangerously left-wing and altogether far too reasonable.
Clarke is kept in the Cabinet as a minister without portfolio where his voice will be heard but not listened to. He will be good company for Vince Cable who does the same job for the Liberal-Democrats.
Meanwhile, up in Scotland there has been another reshuffle. Nicola Sturgeon is stepping down as Health Secretary. Not because she made a Jeremy of the job. The opposite in fact as the NHS has been safe in her hands.
Her new task is to oversee the independence referendum. Which is a smart move by the SNP and makes the issue less of a vote for or against Alex Salmond as the No campaign are trying to make it. See Westminster? Hooray for Holyrood.
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