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

[user2010202]

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.

I'm an English person living in Wales. I don't feel English though. I don't feel British either. If someone asks me to name my nationality, I feel more comfortable saying European.

I don't blame Scottish people for wanting to be independent from Britain, and stay in the EU. If Wales has been an overall remain majority, I'd be wishing that of Wales too.

Brexit is doing miserable things to our countries.

I'd care too. But I wouldn't blame them at all if they did choose leave.

I really do believe that the United Kingdom will cease to exist in my lifetime, probably in the not to distant future.

And its all the scummy Tory party's fault.

Please don't go! But if you do, take us Northern Irish with you.

I'm English and have mostly lived in England, but I have lived in Glasgow before and have a Scottish DP and parent.

In my little fantasy, after Brexit, Scotland remains in or rejoins the EU and I claim my Scottish and therefore EU citizenship. DP and I move back to Glasgow and continue to be in the EU.

So in that sense, it'd benefit me if Scotland left the union. I know this isn't likely to be how it plays out though.

I am sorry you feel that way as your post comes across to me as quite sad.

I have roots in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I still have relatives in Scotland and Wales today who I am in touch with. I would be disappointed if the majority of voters in Scotland voted for independence. However, that is their choice and I can't say I care that much that I would want to prevent them from having their independence.

I have one cousin who voted for and one who voted against Scottish independence and they are really at loggerheads with each other over the issue. That is sad and I'd prefer that not to be the case.

You say you are happy being a European. After Brexit you (and I) will still be European but we just won't be members of the European Union.

I wouldn’t blame the Scots ( or the Welsh or the northern Irish) if they wanted to leave the Union, if the UK left the EU.
I’m a bit of a monarchist though, so I’d feel sad for the Queen. However, the British Empire has (quite rightly) been reduced, so why not the Union.?

Tolerant? The Scots? I first went to Scotland back in the 70s as a teen and DS went to Uni there in 2005. They weren't tolerant of the English then, and they aren't now, way pre-dating Brexit.

IIRC it was the Scottish MPs who voted for English universities to charge tuition fees. English MPs can't vote on Scottish issues but Scottish MPs can stick their oar into solely English concerns. England is the only country in the UK with no devolved parliament.

If you are French or German or Belgian you can go to University in Scotland for free, just like the Scots. If you are English you have to pay.

I also get fed up with comments on FB about how Scotland will "kick out Trident" if they ever get Independence. These people clearly have no understanding of the number of jobs that would leave Scotland should that ever happen. There was a reason for so many public sector jobs being located in Scotland and if they all disappear I can see their economy completely collapsing. Good luck paying for Universities and free prescriptions with no tax revenues.

What comes across loud and clear and from way before 2016 is that the Scots want everything their own way, but funded by the UK. I believe that if England had been allowed to vote in the Scottish referendum then the result would have been completely different.

I really can't see Scotland being able to support itself as an independent country. Other than that, as a Southerner it makes no difference to me either way.

I'm English and voted to Remain in the EU. I think Scotland leaving the UK would be a very bad thing for the rest of the UK, and I'm surprised and disappointed that Scotland's desire to stay in the EU isn't being given more weight by politicians and Brexit advocates.

I can entirely understand why Scotland may choose to leave the UK. Whether or not that will work out well for Scotland I don't know, but if it did work out I'd be very interested in moving to Scotland and keeping our family's EU citizenship.

Surely the decision is up to people living in those countries, and nobody else ?

I don't mind either way. It seems that with all the Brexit stuff going on then now might be the time for another referendum on the issue. But as others have said, it would have to be true independence (taxes etc). I'm not sure how an independent Scotland would manage the economy though without some of the funding that comes from the rest of the UK. On the other hand, they could get to stay in the EU.

I'm English but live in Wales and have done so for long enough to 'feel' Welsh. There are murmurings of an Independent Wales and there have been marches that are gaining support.

Knee jerk, emotional reaction is that I would love for Wales to be independent from the shit show that is Westminster and so can understand that Scotland would want to as well. I think, logistically and financially, it would be catastrophic though, maybe?

I think its ironic that Scotland can't handle the idea of Brexit yet want to do the same thing with England.

@WeaselsRising no tax revenues 🤔

We have oil & whiskey .....

NY20005

Agree with that but is it enough to match the spending of the Scottish Government?

I would like them all to stay, but the vote was taken as the UK not by individual countries,
I just cant get my head around how it would happen, it would make leaving the EU look easy, what with border control, currency. tariffs, people living and working in each countries, (visa ?) would the EU let them join etc.etc. I just hope it is all thought through before hand, they have seen the mess we have made of it,

I’m English, and my family is from the North of Ireland.

It would be the shame if Brexit was the tipping point from which the break-up of the U.K. became inevitable.

If I lived in Scotland, however, I would almost certainly vote for independence IF that meant continued full membership of the EU and there was a credible, workable, properly thought through plan for what currency an independent Scotland would use.

Boofay Out of interest, what makes you feel European, not British ?

I’m English and I’d be sad if Scotland left the union. It’s a fantastic country and imo we’re stronger together. That being said I can understand why Scottish people would want to leave the union given Brexit and frustration with a government which largely does not represent the Scottish people. Ultimately though what I think is irrelevant. Scotland’s future belongs in the hands of the Scots if they want to go they should be allowed to.

Ps there would need to be a proper majority win though to decide conclusively either way. None of this 48/52 bollocks.

If the U.K. leaves the EU then I'll be desperate for Scotland to get independence and apply to re-join the EU and I'll be applying for my Scottish passport the instance it happens.

We voted No originally but that was before this Brexshit nonsense.

Couldn't care less. Byyeeeeee 👋🏼

Ps there would need to be a proper majority win though to decide conclusively either way. None of this 48/52 bollocks.

Why ?

We accepted 52/48 - it's precedent now. If you try and impose conditions in future you invalidate the 2016 referendum.

The time to have sounded caution over damn-close-run-thing results was before the 2016 referendum.

The time to have sounded caution over damn-close-run-thing results was before the 2016 referendum.
Yes I agree but given we didn’t and now know the shit storm that followed because we didn’t wouldn’t it make more sense to try to avoid this in future?

I would care but I wouldn't blame Scotland for leaving.

PPs I wouldn't mind invalidating the 2016 referendum