FORMER Stroud District councillor Molly Scott Cato has thrown her support behind the Yes vote in the Scottish referendum this Thursday.

Dr Scott Cato, who is now the Green MEP for the South West, believes that independence from the UK is the best way to achieve a fairer, more democratic, and sustainable future for Scotland.

However she also believes that a Yes vote could unleash a momentum towards devolution in England.

“The referendum debate has transformed politics north of the border; it could also transform the nature of democracy and decision making in England,” she added.

“Scotland is a nation in ferment, as I discovered during my visit there last week.

“Many in England are looking wistfully at our archaic political structures and wondering whether we could witness similar levels of excitement at the prospect of devolution here.

“Most of the discussion in England to date has been about devolving powers to the cities, ignoring the rural areas.

“As an economist, representing a largely rural region, I think we need to move towards a model of urban centres supplied by their hinterlands.

“There has also been no suggestion of increasing democratic accountability for the money that is devolved. As Greens we argue for regional parliaments with tax-raising powers.”