If you're in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, do you still feel part of a 'united' kingdom?

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

I'm in Wales, with family in England. Obviously I've always been aware of the divide (with some aspects more divided than others) but I feel increasingly like I don't even recognise England. It doesn't sound safe, the government is so chaotic it's not even funny any more, and now yesterday. Does anyone else feel like England's handling of the pandemic will permanently and fundamentally change the dynamics of the UK?

It’s certainly a huge factor in pushing for another independence referendum in Scotland.

Alongside Brexit of course.

I think many people in Scotland haven’t felt part of a United Kingdom in a long time.

When people refer the the UK but mean England (I saw Facebook posts saying that the UK is going back into lockdown, no it isn’t) or use England rather than the UK it irritates me. It shows that the other 3 nations are an afterthought and I feel Scotland, Wales and NI would never really do that.

Er, well Wales has only been in lockdown less than a week, haven’t they? Hardly a reason for the moral high ground.

As for Brexit, well I hope people in Wales and the “red wall” can now see what they voted for. I hope “Get Brexit Done” was worth it. Thanks for that.

But all politicians are the same. Including Labour and the Welsh and Scottish ones. This is a pandemic, not a popularity context.

Personally, I think London should go independent and send BJ etc to their fans elsewhere.

No

Why are people in England not allowed to give views on this thread. I feel like I am labouring this point a bit on various threads at the moment, but even if you don't like "the English" (whatever that means) and don't think they should have a say, don't you realise that millions of people in England are not "English"? Do people from Scotland lose their right to a viewpoint if they move to England?

No, I would echo ConstantlySeekingHappiness point that very many people in Scotland haven't felt part of the UK for a long time.

Nope but I haven't for a very long time.

The one positive of the whole pandemic is that it's finally showing how little 3 of the 4 "equal" Nations of the "United Kingdom" actually matter to the government.

@cologne4711 read the title, it asks for the views of people in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

I'm in Scotland and I voted for independence. I've not felt "united" for a very long time - there is little equality in this union. Politically, we get dragged along with whatever England votes for and it's depressing.

Yes, if I was Scottish, I would be very aggrieved about Brexit. As a nation, Scotland voted Leave, but are being dragged into this shitshow by Cummings and his populist tribe.

So on that basis, I think Scotland should have another independence vote. I’ve no idea what they’re waiting for actually.

As for Wales, I’m not sure what they’re moaning about. Cardiff was regenerated through an EU grant, but they still voted leave overall “Oh dear, well have to pay tariffs on lamb exports...”

Brexit has divided the UK, sadly. But if Wales can now see the error if their ways and try and detach from the mess as if it’s nothing to do with Wales, why can’t Greater London. 10 million people in London who voted Remain overall, compared to 3 million in Wales who voted Leave overall?

The furlough scheme was refused to Scotland and Wales when needed but extended in a day when England decides to go into lockdown. This is a perfect illustration of how the ‘United Kingdom’ actually works.

I haven't felt part of an 'United' Kingdom for a long time but I didn't believe I'd ever see the strength of feeling for Welsh independence as we have over these last few months.

Yes Cymru (the pressure group for Welsh independence) has seen it's membership triple since March.

No. I’m Scottish and against independence but it’s really hard to argue against it when Scotland’s vote for absolutely everything is ignored. I’m really angry about Brexit especially.

I think that they're all doing a shit job, bloody Boris included, I can't bear any of them, but yes for the moment I still want to be part of the U.K. I have no time for anti-English sentiments and I feel more of a connection with people from London, for example, who voted against Brexit than I do with people and places that voted in favour of it. (Though I appreciate that in areas that voted to stay some voted to leave and vice versa.)

I'm in Wales, with family in England. Obviously I've always been aware of the divide (with some aspects more divided than others) but I feel increasingly like I don't even recognise England. It doesn't sound safe, the government is so chaotic it's not even funny any more

Well you've kind of hit the mark on the head there by talking about England, and then the chaotic government.
England doesn't have its own government. You're mixing up the national government with what's going on in England.
An easy mistake, also made by the government, who were displaying the Union flag yesterday whilst taking about an English lockdown, which, btw, will have to be ratified by the U.K. government, unlike the Scottish and Welsh lockdowns.

No, but never have especially. Any increase in that recently has been Brexit related rather than Covid though.

28 of 33 London boroughs voted remain. Overall, London was 60% Leave - the same proportion as Scotland. Many London boroughs were 75% and above in favour of Remain.

But it was not enough to stop us being dragged out by Cummings’ hold on other areas. And Wales voted Leave by 52%.

A bit but I don't think threads like these are helping

I think it's a bit early to pat ourselves on the back in Wales and say how well we've handled the last few weeks when we have absolutely no idea if the 'firebreak' has had any effect whatsoever. Nobody is admitting that the 'local lockdowns' were a complete waste of time, with Caerphilly recording higher numbers 5 weeks after being in one than when it went in. Plus they were just unnecessarily cruel - limiting single households from forming a bubble with anyone outside their county - bearing in mind places like Torfaen and MT are barely 4 miles wide at their widest, so effectively baring many from any indoor contact. Same with the 'five miles' guidance.

Not even mentioning the fact that the biggest health board in Wales has been in special measures for FIVE YEARS, dating back to when MD was minister for health...

I have no respect at all for BJ and agree there is a lot about the government that could be described as shambolic - but Westminster is hardly the exception for dodgy MPs, with the devolved nations all angels. Look at Margaret Ferrier as an example...

In Wales we have 60AMs and however many MPs to govern a population a third the size of London...it's not comparable.

In fairness Mark Drakeford has spoken many times about wishing that there was more corroboration and communication between the nations and that's one thing I completely agree with him on. It's utterly mad that S&W share a land border with England but went for months in the summer without any meetings at all about how they were going to police it...

Sorry London was 60% Remain!

@zahra2

28 of 33 London boroughs voted remain. Overall, London was 60% Leave - the same proportion as Scotland. Many London boroughs were 75% and above in favour of Remain.

But it was not enough to stop us being dragged out by Cummings’ hold on other areas. And Wales voted Leave by 52%.

Cardiff was also 60% remain.... Think most major cities were closer to remain - London isn't special in that

I voted for Brexit and am a Unionist who would lean Tory in Northern Ireland. I also think our devolves government are doing a great job considering the restrictions they have. So yes I would say I always part of the UK.

What annoys me though is those in the mainland who forget that we are part of the UK and act like we don't exist. Also the feeling that Northern Ireland is an inconvenience as Brexit would be so much easier if it wasn't for us. I also worry that a lot of resentment could come from it.
In regards to covid, like those in Scotland and Wales feel, it does feel like Boris is just thinking about England and ignoring our calls for extra support. Furlough scheme case in point.

The way NI has been treated over Brexit is disgusting. Nevermind Covid...

I’m in Scotland. I voted no in the independence referendum then Brexit happened and I felt like a fool. Had I known that was on the horizon I would have voted yes and if I was given another chance I would vote yes.

@TOADfan

I voted for Brexit and am a Unionist who would lean Tory in Northern Ireland. I also think our devolves government are doing a great job considering the restrictions they have. So yes I would say I always part of the UK.

What annoys me though is those in the mainland who forget that we are part of the UK and act like we don't exist. Also the feeling that Northern Ireland is an inconvenience as Brexit would be so much easier if it wasn't for us. I also worry that a lot of resentment could come from it.
In regards to covid, like those in Scotland and Wales feel, it does feel like Boris is just thinking about England and ignoring our calls for extra support. Furlough scheme case in point.

What solution to the Irish border did you expect when you voted for Brexit?

I definitely feel less British. The furlough debacle over the last few weeks was the final nail for me. Right from the outset, Boris was going out of his way to ensure a joined up effort. He has a disturbing lack of respect for devolution. Whether he agrees with it or not, it exists and he should do his best for every part of the UK.

I live in a part of Wales that voted Remain overall and virtually everyone that voted leave here, now regrets it deeply.

No.