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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel sad that this could be the last day as a United Country?

226 replies

Loopylala7 · 18/09/2014 10:04

Anyone else?

OP posts:
KellyElly · 18/09/2014 16:01

Not really, but I have always identified as English, not British.

HesterShaw · 18/09/2014 16:06

I am genuinely bemused by how many people on here think that they should have a vote in the referendum. Why would anyone other that the Scots and people who live in Scotland have any say in the future of Scotland? Surely when someone leaves a job/marriage/community it's their choice and not the choice of the other.

This has been said over and over and over. The sayers don't seem to grasp that it is our country being rent asunder as well.

dotdotdotmustdash · 18/09/2014 17:14

This has been said over and over and over. The sayers don't seem to grasp that it is our country being rent asunder as well.

No, it's not. Your country is not the United Kingdom, that's not a country, it's a union of countries. Your country is England, it will remain as part of a union with Wales and Northern Ireland whatever the vote result. We will all remain British, but you keep the government you voted for, and we get to vote for own.

HesterShaw · 18/09/2014 17:17

Actually you don't know that I am English AT ALL. And I didn't vote for this government either and don't know a single person who did.

But don't let that stop you making assumptions.

dotdotdotmustdash · 18/09/2014 17:19

And my identity is 'British' - not just 'English' - that bit up there is (for today at least, and I sincerely hope much longer) my country too.

And again, no it's not. It's the country of the Scots. Your country ends at the border.

I'm no english-hater, in fact the opposite, I've lived in England and have many friends I travel to see regularly, but please stop thinking of Scotland as the northerly part of your country. It's no more your country than France or Eire is. What we all share is 'Britishness' and we'll continue to share that forever.

HesterShaw · 18/09/2014 17:20

And people don't describe themselves as "United Kingdomish". Don't talk nonsense. They describe themselves as British, which refers to the island of Britain (sorry Northern Irish, I don't know where you fit in there. Where you wish to I guess :) )

While I normally don't like Neil Oliver I think he has put it perfectly:

"I will lay my cards on the table from the start: I will be voting No.
I have no economic argument to make. Frankly, I am sick and tired of hearing people argue the toss about the pound, pensions and the rest. I am voting No because for me, the offering by the Yes camp lacks nobility and humanity. Even more importantly, it lacks class, far less any kind of panache.

Having spent years working on the television series Coast, I think it’s fair to say I’ve seen as much of this United Kingdom of ours as anyone else living here. It’s a project that has changed my life in several ways. It has certainly caused me to fall in love with the place – the whole place. Circumnavigate these islands as I have, as often as I have, and one thing above all becomes clear: the national boundaries within are invisible and therefore meaningless.

People living in a fishing town in Cornwall have more in common with the inhabitants of a fishing town in Fife than either population has with the folk of a town in the Midlands. They have a shared experience and a common history of coping with lives shaped by the sea. The coast is another country – the fifth country – and it unites us and binds us like the hem of a garment.

The differences that are discernible as you travel around Britain are regional ones – made of accents and architecture, geology and geography. I am all in favour of people having the power to make decisions about their own patch: but I am utterly opposed to the idea of breaking centuries old bonds in order to make that happen."

Yes I'm sure someone else has linked to this and it has been discussed elsewhere. However I don't read the whole of Mumsnet every day, so sorry if it has.

dotdotdotmustdash · 18/09/2014 17:22

*Actually you don't know that I am English AT ALL. And I didn't vote for this government either and don't know a single person who did.

But don't let that stop you making assumptions.*

I apologise if you're not English, but your comment about your country 'being rent asunder asunder' led me to assume that you're in, if not England, then one of the other countries of the union. If that is the case, then my answer is the same, your country remains as it was.

HesterShaw · 18/09/2014 17:24

See above.

Viviennemary · 18/09/2014 17:39

I agree with the concept the the UK is not a country but a union of countries. And now it's time for each country to have their own identity.

AnyoneForTARDIS · 18/09/2014 17:50

im really sad about it.

weve been together since James l and don't know why they want to leave.

Wales and N Ireland are happy to stay, no?

please don't leave us Scotland, we love you.

Celticlass2 · 18/09/2014 18:40

Anyone Oh pleasse.. This sort of crap makes me want to spew.

rainbowinmyroom · 18/09/2014 18:56

No, we have been together since The Acts of 1707. James I of ENGLAND and II of SCOTLAND (not the United Kingdom) was crowned King of England in 1603. He had already been King of Scotland since his infancy in 1567.

He was long dead before the Acts were passed.

rootypig · 18/09/2014 19:00

Anyone, are you serious? if so, that's, er, pathetic. Scotland is a country. You can no more love it than kiss it.

All these attitudes betray precisely the problem. I'm starting to will Scotland away from her creepy controlling partner, like a thread in Relationships, I hope she'll LTB. Grin

AnyoneForTARDIS · 18/09/2014 19:03

Blimey, that's nice of you! thanks.

hollyisalovelyname · 18/09/2014 19:04

Hester I'd explain Northern Ireland to you but there could be a riot.
Better not. Smile
It's really divisive.

writtenguarantee · 18/09/2014 19:14

No, it's not. Your country is not the United Kingdom, that's not a country, it's a union of countries. Your country is England, it will remain as part of a union with Wales and Northern Ireland whatever the vote result. We will all remain British, but you keep the government you voted for, and we get to vote for own.

really? we share a currency, a national parliament where lies most of the taxation power, a military, and nigel farage. international treaties are signed by the UK government.

The scottish relationship to the UK government is plainly different from the one between the UK and the EU.

rainbowinmyroom · 18/09/2014 19:45

Sorry, VI of Scotland.

ErrolTheDragon · 18/09/2014 20:03

There's quite a few definitions of the word 'country' - 'a state or a nation' is one - well, today the state is the UK (of Gt Britain and NI), even if it's made of multiple nations. Another is 'the land of one's birth or citizenship' - same again. I'm British. Very odd to try to tell me I'm not.Hmm

HesterShaw · 18/09/2014 20:47

I do get the NI thing, just in case you thought I didn't. NI us part of the UK but not part of the island of Britain, but they (at least the Unionists) identify as British rather and UKish. I guess UKish just ain't very snappy.

MrsMot · 18/09/2014 20:58

Well as someone born in Scotland now living in England and who considers themselves British am I allowed to talk about the country being rent asunder then? Because to me that's what it will be.

HesterShaw · 18/09/2014 21:04

No apparently no one else is allowed any views at all. Put up and shut up.

Haggischucker · 18/09/2014 21:08

I'm just glad I've already ordered my Union Jack inspired furniture already just in case the flag changes! I like the union but then I am a scot living in England so considered a turncoat anyway by family! Apprehensive of result!

SapphireMoon · 18/09/2014 21:09

I am British as indicated by my British passport.
I have a mixed heritage of English, Scottish and Welsh [plus whatever else jumbled in].
I have an English accent but would NEVER wrap myself in an English flag [not that I'm a flag wearing sort of person mind but if I was it would be the Union Jack].
I have worn Union Jack flip flops once though Grin.

tilliebob · 18/09/2014 21:10

Totally OP. And this wee country of mine is divided. I just despair.

voluptuagoodshag · 18/09/2014 21:11

It is only called the Union Jack at sea otherwise it is the Union Flag. Ducks back under the parapet of pedants

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