ON January 16, 1707 - 300 years ago - the Scottish Parliament signed the law which brought about the union between Scotland and Britain.

Today, that union looks decidedly shaky with the Scots poised to switch their support to the SNP and the English chanting under the Barrett formula.

If Scotland chooses to separate, that will put the remaining parts of the UK on a different footing. For example, Wessex and England never entered into any formal agreement to move the capital from Winchester to London.

If Scotland leaves the union, the relationship between Wessex and England will be thrown into strong relief. Wessex people will no longer be debating why they should subsidise better social services for the Scots, but why more of their taxes are spent on the north of England than on Wessex?

Wessex (Our Home) demands that Wessexers are treated equally with Scots.

We want restoration of our 1065 borders, and a Wessex Parliament with equal powers to those of Scotland's.

ROBERT SPRATT, provincial secretary for the Promise of Bristol Wessex (Our Home) Party.