As more than one politician said yesterday, nothing will ever be the same again.

Independence for Scotland may have to wait for another generation but devolution is clearly on the cards.

Pundits everywhere are hailing the campaign in Scotland as an indictment of an overly-centralised, out of touch Westminster, run by elitist professional politicians. Ignoring this message at their peril, politicians have been quick to promise change.

With pressure mounting from all sides, Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged sweeping powers to Scotland.

And with simmering English resentment at the perceived lack of parity between how the neighbouring countries are governed, he also promised to empower our great cities.

It is too early to tell how Brighton and Hove will figure in this sea change – it is small compared to the likes of Manchester and Birmingham.

But as a city that has carved its own way politically and economically, in the face of crisis and recession, and with an independent-spiritedness which is both part of its lifeblood and the reason for its success, it is surely a more than worthy candidate.