I wonder if the UK can look to any episodes from their history about what people do when you remove all diplomatic routes for them to seek independence.
I wonder if the UK can look to any episodes from their history about what people do when you remove all diplomatic routes for them to seek independence.
Nearly eight years on from the referendum, Scots are as split as they were in 2014 with 45% saying they’d vote for independence, 55% against it.
Nicola Sturgeon has reiterated that her plan is to hold another vote on independence before the end of 2023. This timeline is seen as a bit too soon for most Scots, though, with just 28% saying they think there should be a referendum next year compared to 59% who do not think there should be. There is more appetite for holding one a little later, with the public split 42%/41% on whether there should be a referendum in the next five years.
Another challenge that Sturgeon might face in her bid for another referendum is that it ranks fairly low on the list of issues the public think the Scottish Government should prioritise. Just 16% think it is a top concern, way below other issues such as the economy (54%), health (51%) and education (28%). It is also only the third highest issue for those who voted for independence last time, at 31%, way below the economy (51%) and healthcare (48%).
Perhaps oversimplifying, but maybe this is to prevent another Brexit? The concern seems to be with the practial issues of the outcome, and the effects they'll have, as quoted My assumption is...
Perhaps oversimplifying, but maybe this is to prevent another Brexit? The concern seems to be with the practial issues of the outcome, and the effects they'll have, as quoted
either strengthen or weaken the democratic legitimacy of the union
My assumption is they're worried that a "yes" would fracture the island. Not in a conspiratorial sense, but in a way where that outcome could be economically damaging, and that's before any separation.
Maybe this American who has only read this article is missing something, but I thought "could weaken or strengthen the union" was an interesting way to talk about how the UK would lose the entire northern bit of its main island.
The islands are already fractured (see Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) so I honestly don't see how that argument can possibly hold much water. And if that and the "legitimacy of the...
The islands are already fractured (see Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) so I honestly don't see how that argument can possibly hold much water. And if that and the "legitimacy of the union" is of genuine concern, maybe the British public and politicians should have thought of that before they voted in favor of Brexit, which is what caused this latest Scottish independence resurgence in the first place since the vast majority of Scotland voted to remain in the EU.
Just to add that there is a fairly small, but significant, movement for Welsh independence and I know several Cornish people who would very much like to be their own nation. Personally I would...
Just to add that there is a fairly small, but significant, movement for Welsh independence and I know several Cornish people who would very much like to be their own nation.
Personally I would give the keys to the eastern side of England back to Denmark again, in a heartbeat. But I don't think there's much of a movement to bring back the Danelaw. Maybe I should start one? Any Danes want us back? It's good farmland..
Brexit doesn't seem to have made much difference to where Scots stand on independence, at least from what polls say. The SNP have always pushed hard for it and won't stop, it is literally their party's raison d'etre. That they doesn't have majority support won't stop them from keeping trying. Which is fine, they genuinely believe it would be a good thing. I'm not sure they're right but then I'm not Scottish. I would qualify for a passport if they went independent though so I have mixed feelings on the topic. It is my most likely route back to the EU. (again, unless any Danes are reading, I can leave the back gate open, just let me know...)
The small number of Scots I have spoken to on the topic all vote SNP but all for reasons other than nationalism. Partly it's a case of least-worst option, as always in FPTP, but also the SNP are moderately competent and reasonable compassionate, unlike some parties I could name - and Sturgeon's approach of doing the opposite to whatever Westminster is up to is working for them because Westminster is such a shitshow right now ("right now" = "the last 12 years"). But the SNP tend to take these votes as support of their separatist policies, where polling fairly consistently shows that's not really the case.
I wonder if the UK can look to any episodes from their history about what people do when you remove all diplomatic routes for them to seek independence.
Where do Scots stand on independence in 2022?
YouGov – Adam McDonnell – 14th June 2022
You are right. Whoops! Fixed.
Perhaps oversimplifying, but maybe this is to prevent another Brexit? The concern seems to be with the practial issues of the outcome, and the effects they'll have, as quoted
My assumption is they're worried that a "yes" would fracture the island. Not in a conspiratorial sense, but in a way where that outcome could be economically damaging, and that's before any separation.
Maybe this American who has only read this article is missing something, but I thought "could weaken or strengthen the union" was an interesting way to talk about how the UK would lose the entire northern bit of its main island.
The islands are already fractured (see Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) so I honestly don't see how that argument can possibly hold much water. And if that and the "legitimacy of the union" is of genuine concern, maybe the British public and politicians should have thought of that before they voted in favor of Brexit, which is what caused this latest Scottish independence resurgence in the first place since the vast majority of Scotland voted to remain in the EU.
Just to add that there is a fairly small, but significant, movement for Welsh independence and I know several Cornish people who would very much like to be their own nation.
Personally I would give the keys to the eastern side of England back to Denmark again, in a heartbeat. But I don't think there's much of a movement to bring back the Danelaw. Maybe I should start one? Any Danes want us back? It's good farmland..
Brexit doesn't seem to have made much difference to where Scots stand on independence, at least from what polls say. The SNP have always pushed hard for it and won't stop, it is literally their party's raison d'etre. That they doesn't have majority support won't stop them from keeping trying. Which is fine, they genuinely believe it would be a good thing. I'm not sure they're right but then I'm not Scottish. I would qualify for a passport if they went independent though so I have mixed feelings on the topic. It is my most likely route back to the EU. (again, unless any Danes are reading, I can leave the back gate open, just let me know...)
The small number of Scots I have spoken to on the topic all vote SNP but all for reasons other than nationalism. Partly it's a case of least-worst option, as always in FPTP, but also the SNP are moderately competent and reasonable compassionate, unlike some parties I could name - and Sturgeon's approach of doing the opposite to whatever Westminster is up to is working for them because Westminster is such a shitshow right now ("right now" = "the last 12 years"). But the SNP tend to take these votes as support of their separatist policies, where polling fairly consistently shows that's not really the case.
I wonder if the poll question had been phrased “leave uk and join the eu” the outcome would be different.
Did you mean to reply to me, or the above comment?