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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask England, Wales and NI if they'd care if Scotland left?

168 replies

user2010202 · 25/08/2019 00:01

Prior to Brexit, I always believed in the UK. After that vote, I no longer feel I belong to the rest of the UK. Clearly Scotland has different visions and hopes for the future.

I don't feel connected to the rest of the UK. I feel we share an island, but clearly we don't share a future. I am happy being European. I'm happy living in a country that embraces difference, and promotes tolerance. But I no longer feel these are UK values, even though I always would have said they were up until a couple of years ago.

So, a few years ago I said no to leaving. Since 2016 I've been kicking myself. But my question is, would those of you in the rest of the UK really care if we left? It currently seems like our differences are irreconcilable and I don't see a long-term solution.

We have a shared past. But I'm not sure I want us to have a shared future.

OP posts:
IncrediblySadToo · 25/08/2019 00:10

I wouldn’t like Scotland to no longer be part of the UK, it would make me really sad I was very happy when the majority vote was to stay!

Jaffacakebeast · 25/08/2019 00:18

Couldnt care les

Somerford · 25/08/2019 00:20

Honestly? No I wouldn't really be bothered. The majority voted no to independence, fair enough. If the majority had voted yes I'd wish you well but I wouldn't lose sleep over it. I don't have any ill will towards Scotland but I don't have any desire for the Scottish to be trapped in a union that they no longer want to be part of either.

Oysterbabe · 25/08/2019 00:22

I think it would be a shame but wouldn't blame them. I wish I had that option.

IncorrigibleTitmouse · 25/08/2019 00:22

I would care, but only because I’d wish I was Scottish! We’ve made a giant hash of this, it’s embarrassing and ridiculous.

AdelaideK · 25/08/2019 00:23

I'd care. I'm in the north west of England, I would like to leave too so can't blame Scotland for feeling like that.

irishtwo · 25/08/2019 00:25

It wouldn’t bother me and I wish we could leave with yous (north of Ireland here) we didn’t want to leave either !

peachgreen · 25/08/2019 00:27

I'm half English, half Scottish and live in NI. I'd be gutted on a personal level if Scotland became independent as I'd far rather be in a union with Scotland than England. But if I were living in Scotland I would 100% vote for independence so I couldn't blame you.

Peakypolly · 25/08/2019 00:31

I would care. I was so scared that you would go last time. I love our shared history and I hope our shared future. The Scottish are the backbone of our armed services and our governing classes and it has always been so.
Obvs the cities and countryside are awe inspiring. It is ignorance for the English (me) to not want to maintain strong links with Scotland.
We are one, and stronger together.
Irrelevant, but I reside in the (south) Midlands.

Crunched · 25/08/2019 00:33

I agree with Peakypolly.
I hope we stay united but understand if you don’t want to.

PeterthePainter · 25/08/2019 00:34

I'm in the south of England here and personally I'm totally indifferent as to whether Scotland stays or goes. If they want to stay - fine. Nice to have you. If they want to go - best of luck to you for the future. But do I care which it is? No.

PeterthePainter · 25/08/2019 00:35

Oh and the same goes for NI and Wales.

PickAChew · 25/08/2019 00:38

In NE England and would gladly join you but Westminster have made it clear that we would be shafted if we tried.

Original poster
user2010202 · 25/08/2019 00:39

I've never really been very political. So when we had the referendum I voted to stay, I wasn't (if I am being really honest) passionate about either side. When the result came in I was happy because I've never believed there is some sort of wall between England and Scotland and was happy with things as they were.

But now, I am not so sure. All of the anti-immigration rhetoric that has grown over the last few years makes me feel very uncomfortable, I don't feel it is right that Scotland voted remain, but yet we are being forced to accept an extreme version of Brexit, and I worry about what sort of future we're really signing up for.

I want an inclusive Scotland. This will never be a perfect country, and my goodness we have a lot of problems to solve, but I just don't believe the direction the rest of the UK is going in will deal with any of them.

OP posts:
EdtheBear · 25/08/2019 00:48

If divorce after 40 years is a nightmare what's it going to be like after 300 years?

The UK is struggling to seperate stuff that's entwined with Europe - what is Scotland separating from England going to be like?

One big feck-off mess!
I'm 100% glad I was out voted a few years ago.

ParkheadParadise · 25/08/2019 00:51

Interesting to hear others views on this subject.

Monty27 · 25/08/2019 00:55

North of Ireland is on a different island but they control that too.
I reckon Wales are in for separation too.

turquoisewhale · 25/08/2019 01:02

I'm a bit confused about you saying you are happy being European as if that's up for debate. Scotland lies on the continent of Europe as part of Great Britain. Brexit will not change that. You will still be European. However the UK will no longer be part of the EU.

In terms of Scotland having different visions and hopes to, I presume, the rest of the UK, yes I agree with that to a certain extent.

I think what you say about Scotland being more tolerant may be a little naive to be honest. Scotland has a lot more work to do in that respect.

Likethebattle · 25/08/2019 01:06

I voted yes to independence and i’m Now being dragged out of Europe against my will. i’m bloody angry about it, why was the shite ever up for a public vote?

turquoisewhale · 25/08/2019 01:07

I am an SNP member, voted yes to independence and yes to remain btw.

@EdtheBear If divorce after 40 years is a nightmare what's it going to be like after 300 years? Where did you hear that soundbite??

ssd · 25/08/2019 01:10

I agree with you op.
I voted to leave last time and to remain in the EU.
I'm not getting anything I want!
I don't like the way the UK seems to be going so far to the right. And being led by old Etonians.
It's awful.

ssd · 25/08/2019 01:11

Sorry am tired!
I voted for independence and I voted to remain in the EU.

TwoPupsandaHamster · 25/08/2019 01:17

As a Welsh person I would prefer Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England to remain united.

I have no time for SNP (I fricken despise Ian Blackmore and Nicola Sturgeon). I wish Welsh Devolution would be scrapped tbh. Mark Drayford is a total waste of space! As was his predecessor, Carwyn Jones. Don't get me started on Leanne bloody Wood (Plaid Cymru) . What another waste of air!

Whatever happens with Brexit we, mere mortals, have no control over but I would like Scotland, Wales, NI and England to remain united.

blibblibs · 25/08/2019 01:23

I'm Scottish but due to DH work we live in England. I would be devistated if Scotland was no longer part of the union, but from a personal identity pov.
I stayed up all night watching the results last time and was very relieved with the result but now I would urge friends and family to vote for independence. There is no need for them to continue on the disastrous path most of England and Wales are taking them on.

Gingerkittykat · 25/08/2019 01:38

Speaking to English friends I think some care and some don't. Some are openly hostile to the Scots, some are friendly.

I am still pro independence but do worry now about the hassle disentangling would be after seeing the shambles of Brexit.