THERE is always a chance the UK could break up by accident, but any plan to leave requires ending dependence on its money.

Taxes in Northern Ireland cover about 60% of public spending. The equivalent figures for Scotland and Wales are 80% and 65%.

These shortfalls could have been addressed at the Cardiff summit by the leaders of Sinn Féin, Plaid Cymru and the SNP.

The memorandum of understanding they signed on Monday covered cooperation on the economy, energy, the EU and international relations, in addition to seeking mechanisms for independence referendums.

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Economic policy is the only item on that list even partially devolved to all three regions, mainly involving public spending, although Scotland has acquired some significant tax-raising powers.

What ought to have emerged from the summit was an aspiration in principle to balance the books.

Instead, all three parties rehashed their usual demands for more from the Treasury, or a “fair funding settlement” as it is euphemistically termed.

They have every right to ask for more while we are UK taxpayers, and few regions in any country are expected to break even, but this is incompatible with trying to break away.

Sinn Féin could say the Republic can afford Northern Ireland, even at a high subvention. Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged a ‘whatever it costs’........

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