The recent, very welcome decision by the Scottish people to remain in the United Kingdom has raised a plethora of questions about the democratic representation of the English people – and various ideas have been put forward.

Whether these matters can be resolved to the timetable put forward recently by the prime minister must be open to doubt. My own party leader has espoused the exciting idea whereby major provincial cities would have enhanced powers over spending and infrastructure, helping to regenerate their regions.

However interesting this idea is, it would seem to be less relevant to the West Country’s rural shires, than to the north and midlands.

There is no doubt that there is an increasing disconnect between all the UK provinces (including Scotland) and the centre of power in London, experienced by myself and all other local politicians on the doorstep as the ‘you’re all the same’ phenomenon.

In addition, the English shires suffer from a financial formula, which disadvantages them in terms of the allocation of central government spending. Possible solutions for the West Country would seem to lie either with some form of South West Assembly, based in Exeter, Bristol or Plymouth; or alternatively with enhancing the spending and infrastructure responsibilities of the existing county councils, which in turn would be expected to fulfil certain defined obligations in respect of their citizens.

In either case, the idea of subsidiarity, or reducing decision-making to the most local level possible, would seem to be essential for the restoration of the public’s faith in representative democracy; as, of course, would be the selection of truly local candidates, who both live and work in the communities which they are elected to serve.

Hugo Mieville, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, North Dorset