Do you think the English, if given a vote, would vote for independence from the rest of the UK?

[Kendodd]

Yabu - No they wouldn't
Yanbu - Yes they would

The break up of the UK seems high chance to me, maybe 60/40 to be voted for within the next ten years. They don't ever seem to ask the English what would you personally vote?

@Babdoc

Bearnecessity, it’s not “the Scots” who are whinging. Just the SNP supporters. Most of us up here can’t stand them and are happy to be in the UK. And half a million English people actually live in Scotland- I’m one of them!

So am I - and I can't WAIT to be out of the UK and away from sponging corrupt UK Tory governments.

And you can have your nukes back too.

I see, sorry

But there is no mechanism to do that on the latter part of your question. I suppose you could easily devolve BBC Wales, Scotland and NI, likewise reallocate public bodies to those countries for them to run and fund. Slightly oddly there are outliers like the National Gallery of Scotland. None of it a showstopper though.

The big arguments will be money and relative liabilities (where as the bigger player, England would pretty much hold all the cards).

Not all items in UK museums were looted or stolen. Some were bought from whoever was in charge in the country in question at the time.

So if I squat your house and sell your possessions that makes them the legal property of whoever I sell them to? Does it bollocks.

Agree that the English don't generally have the same (bad) feelings towards Scotland, Wales and Ireland as they seem to have for us. I'm English, living in Scotland and am quite conscious of feeling like an 'outsider' in many respects.

Patriotism is often noble pride. Nationalism is dangerous

@PlanDeRaccordement

It’s all ridiculous. The U.K. is stronger together than individually. But if they want to become like little nonentity Lichtenstein then so be it. It would be interesting from geo political observation stand point. But bad for everyone living on the British Isles.

How are we stronger together? Please explain how NI benefits so much from being part of Britain?

We had lots and lots of benefits from the EU (Regeneration Grants, Farming Grants and most importantly Peace grants).

Stronger together is a ridiculous hyperbole statement without any substance.

I believe polls show support for English independence to be at around 50%.

I'd be surprised if the UK, in it's current form, outlived me.

Agree that the English don't generally have the same (bad) feelings towards Scotland, Wales and Ireland as they seem to have for us.
Well....obviously.

I have always hoped the union stayed together until recently. The last time I was in Scotland standing at a bar ordering drinks, the man standing next to me turned to me and said 'why don't you fuck off where you came from' and then spat on the floor. This hasn't endeared me to Scotland. I know not all Scots are like that but there are plenty who are. A couple I know had to return to England as their children were mercilessly bullied and beaten up at school on a couple of occasions.

My choice would be for referenda for Scotland, Wales, NI, if they wanted one. For any failing to get sufficient votes for independence, ALL devolved power would be returned to Westminster.

I would very much hope not. I, being Welsh, would think we would struggle financially without England. We are not on the same level as Scotland. I refer to myself as British mostly, unless it is a sporting event. I really despair the level of hatred that 'some' Welsh people have for the English yet these haters are happy to receive free prescriptions which we wouldn't have if we were independent from England.

I totally respect NI, Wales, and Scotlands right, if they want, to vote and leave the UK.

If I got to vote for Scotland to leave the UK, I would vote yes. NI and Wales, I don't think so at this point. I don't hear them making noise about how horrible the English are that often.

So, to leave and stay with Wales and NI, I would vote yes.

It is pretty clear that the Scots hate the English and so I think it is actually time we parted ways. I don't mean that with malice at all. They aren't happy so why make them stay? I would want a hard border though.

What polls are these and how many were asked because I think most people are oblivious to them! Couldn’t have been a well publicised one, was it in a magazine?

There will always be small tiny fractions in countries that hate adjoining ones and those people will be drawn to debates like these but in reality no one gives a shite - just caravan holiday destinations for most people

As I said I’m not against minimum majority.
Better discussion than ‘it’s not fair’

The discussion was never it's not fair, that's your take on what is a serious issue for the UK outside of England. Brexit reminded us that we are not in a union, we are a group of countries who have to do whatever England says and any legitimate concerns we have are dismissed as whining by the English electorate.

@HandbagRummage

I totally respect NI, Wales, and Scotlands right, if they want, to vote and leave the UK.

If I got to vote for Scotland to leave the UK, I would vote yes. NI and Wales, I don't think so at this point. I don't hear them making noise about how horrible the English are that often.

So, to leave and stay with Wales and NI, I would vote yes.

It is pretty clear that the Scots hate the English and so I think it is actually time we parted ways. I don't mean that with malice at all. They aren't happy so why make them stay? I would want a hard border though.

With respect that's complete and utter shire

The Scots hate the English? Crap and you know it

@Lovesgood

The English should take a very long, very hard look at themselves before saying anything negative about any other country!

It's perfectly possible to be aware of your own failings and others too and be allowed to comment on both as others do to us.

@MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously

I'd vote against it. I think both Scotland and Wales ought to consider what they would be exchanging union with England for. I think Sturgeon is dangerous - some of things she has tried to introduce are not positive for Scottish people (named person policy for example). I'd also like to know more about her involvement in the Salmond scandal. I consider there's a danger in Scotland of being so focused on separation from England they might be jumping into something which would deny them freedom rather than grant it. I'm not certain I'd want Drakeford having anymore say than he has already, either.

You’ve got very strong opinions about the leaders of Scotland and Wales for someone who (apparently) doesn’t live in either or have much knowledge of what’s going on. I’d far rather have Drakeford than Johnson. And, while I’m not in Scotland, I’m pretty sure I’d rather have Sturgeon too. What’s so bloody great about Westminster rule?

To be fair, the poster was greeted with how is this fair with no explanation of what would be fair for multiple posts.

There has been a lot of hyperbole on this thread.

But then a fondness for hyperbole is a very British trait...

To be fair, the poster was greeted with how is this fair with no explanation of what would be fair for multiple posts.

Thanks Stripes

I really despair the level of hatred that 'some' Welsh people have for the English yet these haters are happy to receive free prescriptions which we wouldn't have if we were independent from England

Is this for real??

Free prescriptions happened because of devolution, not because Westminster said Wales could, no reason why Wales couldn't have these as an independent country.

All the comments about "keeping" Wales have made me even more certain that we need independance as soon as possible. Wales is a country not a possession for England to "keep"

@DioneTheDiabolist

As I said I’m not against minimum majority. Better discussion than ‘it’s not fair’

The discussion was never it's not fair, that's your take on what is a serious issue for the UK outside of England. Brexit reminded us that we are not in a union, we are a group of countries who have to do whatever England says and any legitimate concerns we have are dismissed as whining by the English electorate.

Well yes as you can see it was pretty much on that.

I have already said your suggestion was a good one. Not sure what you want.

It doesn't bother me either way. Doesn't effect me at all in my daily life here in the South West of England. I suppose given my 'previous life' of being married to a royal marine, knowing how important Scotland is to the defence structure of the UK, I'd be verging towards keeping the union.
Personally I like the fact that we are a union, just like I liked the fact we were a union with Europe. However if its an unwanted union to the Scottish and feels like an imposition on them and their ability to live how they want, then I think they should have the option to at least vote on it.

[TrufflyPig] How do you suppose Wales could afford it as an independent country?

Another way to think about this is what does England lose by being independent of its nearest neighbours? And what does it gain? These are really the questions that any country should ask itself.

Unfortunately nationalists spend most of their time on stuff like passports and flags and singing and all sorts of guff.

I remember standing in Edinburgh airport "ScotPark" (the car park!!). Help us all if you need the car park to have an identity. I don't want to live anywhere where you need to label and identify things in way.

Most importantly, independence will fuck the "Great British Sewing Bee" et al.

Soar Alba 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 😃 runs before someone comes at me with more ‘wee nippy’ venom 😉🙄