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?

So many people stupid enough to believe this. Strange how desperate Westminster are to hold onto Scotland if this was true eh.

It's bizarre.

BoJo has descibed the union as 'laughable', has said that Scotland comes 'cap in hand' to London and has said that we 'free-ride on English taxpayers' - and yet he was here last month to try and strengthen the union.

He's not doing it to be charitable, that's one thing we all know for certain...

The comments about Northern Ireland are fucking heartbreaking. I’m Irish (Republic) and I lived through the troubles.

800 fucking years of oppression, genocide and the destruction of our language and culture and now you’re saying you’d be rid tomorrow just like that.

Have you any idea of the amount of lives lost so that the wonderful British fucking Empire could keep its ill gotten gains. FUCK OFF.

I do think if Scotland want another referendum so should other nations of UK. We should all get chance to decide if we want to stay in UK. I don't want England or other nations to split off but think we should all be able to vote for this if one nation get option to. If we vote to stay as UK then the countries should be abolished and we should become a new one country to try to stop this nationalism that is petty. However this is unrealistic I know!

I also think all nations should have devolved parliament or none should. It is unbalanced that for example Scottish Parliament can make decision to benefit Scottish people but English people don't have this.

I believe in the UK and don't want Scotland to leave but think the current system is unfair and unbalanced. I also truly believe Scotland gets more benefits being part of UK than it loses and that England benefits from the other nations too. Stronger together.

Have you any idea of the amount of lives lost so that the wonderful British fucking Empire could keep its ill gotten gains. FUCK OFF
It seems not judging by some of the posts on here.
@Skysblue for example.
but I’d vote for independence from Northern Ireland, it causes so many problems for the rest of the UK and it’s already kind of part if Ireland - I mean you can be born in Northern Ireland but choose
Yep no problems at all throw the issues back to the Republic.
NI most likely will be united or independent but I'd imagine the divorce bill and spouse support would be huge.
Imagine the history books, we wanted it we took it >>> 800 yrs later>>> "oh we dont want it anymore"
It is your baby deal with it.

It is unbalanced that for example Scottish Parliament can make decision to benefit Scottish people but English people don't have this.

They do though. It's called EVEL (English votes for English laws).

I wouldn't vote for it. We are better together and that is what controls my distaste for other areas outside of England being subsidised so heavily by the English taxpayer, because that is the principle...we are one U.K. so don't divide the finances individually.

However, implications. I don't think Northern Island will and the south is not encouraging it as they don't want to reignite a civil war and more importantly they simply cannot afford the current spending levels in the north. It would break them.

Scotland. Based in their levels of spending the last 20 years the SNP are deluded (and when interviewed by Andrew Neil, Sturgeon just spluttered) Only have to be familiarwith the yearly analysis of U.K. spending by the IFS. Scotland as an independent country has the highest budget deficit of any European country and at least 4 times that of Greece. If they were to go independent they would have no currency as they couldn't just join the euro, would have to have a land boarder rest of the U.K. etc......having seen the effects of Brexit I think it would be hilarity as English looking on but a disaster for Scots....but independence is sometimes a greater need and being broke won't matter (no more fee University education, health cut, education even worse etc)

Let's just see

Then I'd vote remain @heathergem

I live in Scotland. Independence and SNP are tied together because they are the only party with any clout advocating it. That is why they get so many votes. There are many who would like independence for Scotland who aren’t ardent nationalist SNP supporters. The independence movement existed before Nicola Sturgeon became FM and, until it actually happens, will remain long after she has gone.

I tend to vote SNP tactically because I want independence for Scotland, and it’s not because I’m anti English. Most of my pals an neighbours where I live are English and it doesn’t even register with me. They themselves are moving to support independence now that they live here. It’s about being anti Westminster.

If all our interests were represented at Holyrood then the MSPs would be more accountable to their electorate because a vote would actually count in a more diverse parliament rather than the current situation at Westminster who seem to be able to do what they like.

As for the Salmond/Sturgeon fiasco, I’m hugely angry and disappointed in them. They are both astute and capable leaders with gravitas and, I thought, integrity. But to discover one is a sleaze and the other might have stuck the knife in just makes me think all politicians are the same and I’d hoped they would hold themselves to a higher standard. But no, they had to fuck it up with the usual playground politics.

Also, there have been explanations about how the Union between Scotland and England came about but could someone please explain how Wales became part of the Union. None of this is taught in schools, our own British history and we are kept ignorant. Elucidate ye please

However, implications. I don't think Northern Island will and the south is not encouraging it as they don't want to reignite a civil war and more importantly they simply cannot afford the current spending levels in the north. It would break them

Not forgetting how “difficult “ it would be having Arlene Foster in the Dáil. Reunification is impossible.

I wouldn't. I adore Wales and Scotland.

They're some of the UKs redeeming features

YUGOSLAVIA. Remember? Dont think it couldn't happen here. The amount of contempt and ill-informed bitterness on this thread should be sufficient warning.

Lets not confuse Westminster with England - the question was whether the English would vote for independence. Bluntly, what Westminster wants isn't "England", its the wants the politicians of the day. What Westminster isn't the same thing, its just the political form that the English have to vote for.

Culturally, nationalism in any bit of the UK makes that a bit more possible, but Scotland is the only part of the UK with a nationalist party in charge. It is actually an outlier in that respect.

Nice to hear the love for Scotland! 😂 It's comments like that that make people want to leave...

David Cameron didn't announce the Brexit referendum until the Tories won a majority in 2015

So anyone who thinks they remember him announcing it before 2014 is mistaken, or has another agenda and and be safely ignored on matters of fact thereonin.

@LongPauseNoAnswer

However, implications. I don't think Northern Island will and the south is not encouraging it as they don't want to reignite a civil war and more importantly they simply cannot afford the current spending levels in the north. It would break them

Not forgetting how “difficult “ it would be having Arlene Foster in the Dáil. Reunification is impossible.

Nothing is impossible...

My thoughts, for what it's worth. I would vote remain, I like unions and think countries do better for their citizens acting in collaboration not competition. Nationalism is definitely on the rise and a 'we don't need anyone else' attitude so I'm not sure which way a vote would go. I fear an independence campaign would be fueled on hatred (and lies) to wip people up. One thing that might prevent independence, English nationalists know they have the upper hand in the UK, basically the other three nations have to do what England wants, so they might not feel the need for independence.

My thoughts on independence for the other three nations, well I can understand why Scotland would want independence from England (and I do mean England, not the UK). Economically, I think it would be a mistake, or costly rather, but if Brexit has taught us anything, it's that this doesn't matter as much as we think it does. I think NI should reunite with the RoI, I think it would be righting an historical wrong but also see the gordian knot of complexity and am not sure how it could be done while maintaining the peace. I feel 100% sure that in Ireland did unify people in the north WOULD NOT lose their British citizenship as a result in the way remain voters lost their EU citizenship. I mention it because it's about identity as well as rights, keeping British identity might result in an slight easing of passage (?) As for the costs, I think Ireland, Britain and the EU would just suck it up.

Wales, I'm really not sure about. I think they know which side their bread is buttered and wouldn't be happy, knowing the English though, we wouldn't give a shit about them (or Scotland or NI for that matter).

I also think Brexit opened (and reopened) this Pandora's Box.

Why is everything so binary ?

In between leave an remain there is surely a spectrum of options that could reshape the relationship between the countries ?

(Not that I would trust the English as far as I could throw them. But that's their own cross to bear, and not the fault of the smaller nations).

I do not currently sense an appetite for English independence from the United Kingdom. Otherwise there may be a more vocal national English political independence movement etc.

Only Scotland is seemingly interested to be possibly independent but then again just as the whole United Kingdom had a democratic vote for independence from the EU (voted for by the people of the United Kingdom only and not everyone in the EU) the Scottish had their vote recently too and decided to be within the United Kingdom. I believe these are once in a lifetime or at least very long term meaningful votes as surely they can not be short term cyclical perpetual independence votes as that would be nonsensical as a if it can pragmatically alternate like a change in wind direction.

In addition to social geopolitical issues and based on pure economic strength it would appear that the economy of the capital London is seemingly according to many sources, provide easily over a quarter if not a third of the whole UK economic wealth creation GDP not just more but multiples of all of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined. London including the rest of England would make up most of the UK GDP. Therefore on pure economic terms England can economically be independent and so can just London as a Singapore style city state global hub. independent England would benefit financially from retaining all its GDP and not technically need to assist the other nations. Same for an independent London City state of course. The remaining United Kingdom of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be economically weaker with a combined GDP smaller than most European nations. However together as a United Kingdom given our cultural collective heritage and countless links as one nation we will strategically be more significant as one. In addition most because of the absence of any independent English political party I believe most in England would prefer to remain within the United Kingdom. Most English naturally prefer not just the whole United Kingdom but for Scotland to remain. However many in England recognise that this must be not a love hate relationship and if Scotland dislikes the United Kingdom then they can decide on their fate. If Scotland just dislikes Westminster only then either some additional changes may be implemented to retain the United Kingdom or perhaps if the demands are too unreasonable in comparison to other United Kingdom home nations then possibly leave and not be unhappy and cause unnecessary issues. England is happy as a part of the UK and so should all others. Economically only England is strong enough to support itself independently in the current economic conditions. That is not to say the other home nations cannot survive economically but they must acknowledge where much of their wealth originated from. I believe there is some Barnett Formula for UK Treasury wealth distribution. It is in place for a valid reason. Better together but only if all agree.

Scotland. Based in their levels of spending the last 20 years the SNP are deluded (and when interviewed by Andrew Neil, Sturgeon just spluttered) Only have to be familiar with the yearly analysis of U.K. spending by the IFS.

Oh, well if the IFS says so...
The IFS, set up by a Tory politician in direct response to Labour tax policy and a firm believer in extreme free-market economics. Obviously an impartial source of information.

I think the real issue will be clear when you get a nationalist party in England - then it will come to a head. Its a pretty easy wicket to be a nationalist party and everyone else is pro union. The SNP (and their voters) have it easy. Independence is theoretical in that sense. My view is that the SNP do not really want it but like using it as a tactical weapon, otherwise they would stage their own referendum, illegal or not.

And I see that the independence referendum bill created by the SNP has no legal advice backing it. I assume this is deliberate. More game playing so that in the end when it is deemed unlawful, the SNP can say it they tried. A waste of public money and more division?

Just add forgot to mention the complexities of United Kingdom overseas territories and United Kingdom membership at the United Nations with a permanent security council seat including special veto powers etc and of course United Kingdom leading role in combined NATO defence and nuclear arms currently located (mostly?) in Scotland. Indeed what would happen to the British military etc? Plus countless new global memberships and partnerships like the W(Wuhan) Health Organisation etc etc. Would these still be possible under the representation of the remaining smaller United Kingdom without England?

Then there is the issue of legacy British Commonwealth and the royals!

No I wouldnt. But I didn't want to leave the EU either.

I think you have to assume that when Scottish independence looked serious then the planning that was done previously would kick in - its not like it wasn't thought about at the point of the last referendum.

Scotland doesn't want nukes, and if England left the remainder of the UK would neither have the resources nor the inclination to retain them.

As for the SC, I suppose you have to look at our allies. Would they want some sort of UK or England presence? How useful are we?