Which country has been facing a bigger existential crisis lately, UK or US?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I'm no Brexiteer, but to say that leaving the EU would 'question, and strike at, the actual identity of the United Kingdom as a state' strikes me as odd. In any case the answer is still Britain.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

the Government's Man In Scotland (rather than Scotland's Man In The Government)

Could you or afleitch explain the difference, in practical terms? I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

the Government's Man In Scotland (rather than Scotland's Man In The Government)

Could you or afleitch explain the difference, in practical terms? I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it.

Traditionnally, the Secretary of State for Scotland was the one bringing Scottish issues and defending Scottish points of view in the Cabinet. He was representing Scotland in Cabinet.

Under Thatcher, the Secretary of State for Scotland became the guy announcing and applying the government decisions in Scotland.

Went from a representative to a french prefect, sort of.

I guess what I'm asking for is examples (not that I disbelieve it; I'm just curious to know more).

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Thanks for explaining.

I note that part of Thatcher's response to the dispute with Younger was to move him to Defence. Was that seen as a backhanded promotion at the time?