Yet Mr Martin's calculations seemingly failed to consider Ms Jean's position on the great Canadian political question: the independence of Quebec.

ECONOMIST: Canada: For queen—but for which country? | The

And the language divide is much less contentious in Wales and Scotland than it is in Canada, where pressure for independence in Quebec is intimately bound up with French-speakers' worry about the survival of their language and culture.

ECONOMIST: Devolution: The choice for Scotland and Wales | The

As for a timetable for a third independence referendum for Quebec - Madame Marois is non-committal.

BBC: Scotland politics

In the Canadian province of Quebec, they have held two referendums on independence.

BBC: Scotland

The legitimacy and logistics of an independence vote were political, not legal questions, said Joseph Facal, Quebec's minister for inter-governmental affairs.

ECONOMIST: Canada

Voters in Quebec and Catalonia have so far been content with winning more power, rather than full independence, from Ottawa and Madrid.

ECONOMIST: Sunshine and showers