The geo-political tectonic plates are shifting – with the UK sitting squarely on one of the fault-lines. The Scots are restive over their relationship with a poorly performing UK economy, while the English are threatening to leave the European Union (EU) – partly because they blame the crisis in the eurozone for contributing to Britain's difficulties in exiting from recession.

Instead of resisting this discontent, political leaders have weakly given in to it. The next few years will see a number