Quote of the day

"I propose a referendum for both Scotland and the north of England. On behalf of those of us who live in the north, I ask – is there any chance of a Greater Scotland? I'm thinking the new Scottish border could come in just below Blackpool, slice Manchester in half to create a tense, cold war-like Berlin of the north. Then OK, it gets a bit hazy. Whitby belongs in England, but we New Scots would be happy to have Bradford, say, if not Leeds. I think there'd have to be a separate vote for the Newcastle area to be honest. Feelings could be volatile, as usual, and the last thing anyone needs is a Geordie Balkans."

I'm with Ian Martin and will be campaigning for official recognition and independence for the People's Republic of Geordonia.

Martin's article about Scottish independence, while whimsical, does rest on a significant point - many of us who grew up in the north feel the same disassociation from and distrust of the south, even if this doesn't quite equate to a dislike of England and a corresponding affinity with Scotland.

(Thanks to Simon for the link.)