LOMBARDY may be just one of the 20 administrative regions of Italy, but with 10 million people and Milan as its capital, Lombardy in the north of Italy is the most populous, most industrious and richest of all the regions.

Were it to secede from Italy, Lombardy could do very well on its own, but full independence is not on offer in the referendum which will take place on October 22, the same date as the plebiscite in Veneto on the same issue.

For this ancient kingdom, which later became the Duchy of Milan before becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1859, is being asked if it wants to enjoy the special status that five regions of Italy already enjoy.

It would mean the devolution of considerable powers to the regional government – but some people want to go further and have full independence for Lombardy.

The Pro Lombardia Indipenzia (PLI) party is a member of the European Free Alliance and its slogan is “Lombardy Next State of Europe”. They look to Scotland to see how we will cope if, after Brexit and an independence vote, Scotland has to rejoin the EU.

Meanwhile, the Party is campaigning for a Yes vote in the referendum which was called by regional President Roberto Maroni, leader of the Northern League which seeks autonomy or independence for the whole of Northern Italy.

A PLI spokesperson said: “We believe it is in the interest of the Lombards to vote Yes in the October 22 referendum.

“We know perfectly well that even in case of victory of Yes, nothing will change in Lombardy. “We can say with absolute certainty that this referendum will not lead to autonomy in Lombardy. But it will create a real political debate about the condition of Lombardy within the Italian state.

“A debate that will not only involve political forces but also civil society. And it will allow the Lombards to understand how it is not possible to obtain any significant concession if the representatives of our community are dumb and dissimilar autonomists such as the North League and the junta of President Maroni.

“We believe that a Yes to the referendum is an important step to make Rome understand that the Lombards want a different treatment, they want self-government while retaining resources and powers in their own territory.

“But we believe that any negotiations that the junta and the Lombard Regional Council will have to do with the government of Rome need the involvement of the Lombard independents and Lombardia independence.”