A ban on genetically modified crops, despite its importance to Scotland’s large food and drink industry; the introduction of costly, politically correct gimmicks such as a business pledge that includes scrapping zero hours contracts and a more diverse workforce; state-directed research that even Jeremy Corbyn might regard as a bit old-fashioned; and, of course, the political instability that comes from the constant threat of a fresh independence vote.

Perhaps not very surprisingly, the Scottish Nationalist government in Edinburgh is increasingly imposing anti-business and anti-technology policies on the country.

That is of course up to them. It is, however, also an opportunity for English regions, and of course Wales and Northern Ireland as well, and one they should not be squeamish about taking.

As Scotland makes itself less and less economically competitive, then London, Newcastle and Cardiff should be aiming to persuade the businesses based there to move south. It is too good an opportunity pass up.

Only this week, the Scottish government demonstrated that it cares more about making right-on political gestures than it does about nurturing a successful economy. It imposed a formal ban on genetically modified crops, despite the fact that the country has a major food and drink industry worth some £14bn a year.

The Scottish wing of the National Farmers Union protested that it was disappointed, pointing out that many of the crops that would now be prohibited had been passed as perfectly safe by the EU.

So did some of the life sciences companies based in Scotland. But never mind. The SNP administration decided that GM food smacked of wicked agri-business and decided to ban it anyway.

In May, the SNP launched a Scottish Business Pledge, a pious document full of the kind of promises Hillary Clinton might come up with on a bad day.

Scottish companies are meant to pledge themselves to scrapping zero contracts, despite the evidence that, despite occasional abuses, plenty of part-time workers actually quite like them, and to promoting vague and woolly goals such as having a more diverse workforce.

David Fuller's view

Here is a PDF of The Telegraph's article.

I would be interested to know what subscribers think of this article.  

Personally, I think any breakup of the United Kingdom would be sad and unfortunate.  I also think an independent Scotland ruled by the SNP would be worse off.  This is not because Scots cannot compete but because the leftwing SNP is no better for Scotland’s economy than Jeremy Corbyn would be for England’s.  

The UK is becoming more federalist.  Fair enough, but I think our one nation Conservative government will encourage more growth and higher standards of living throughout the country than leftwing spinoffs.  The latter would definitely send more ambitious people to London, as we have also seen with the migration of French people from Socialist France.  

Please note: I somehow managed not to post the relevant part of my answer for subscribers in my reply to an email posted for Wednesday.  The omission was recognised this morning and corrected.