Peter Hitchens: 'If Scotland and Wales want to leave let them'

Judges at the UK Supreme Court are to begin hearing arguments in a case which could allow the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a second referendum on independence.
On Tuesday morning, the panel of five justices will start hearing evidence from the Scottish Government.
Two days have been set aside for the hearing at the Supreme Court in London, with the UK Government expected to respond on Wednesday.
The case concerns proposed legislation at the Scottish Parliament called the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill.
Judges have been asked to decide whether the Bill relates to “reserved matters” - meaning it is out with Holyrood’s competence.
Nicola Sturgeon asked the Lord Advocate, Scotland’s chief law officer, to refer the Bill to the Supreme Court when she published the legislation in June.
#talktv #talkradio

[@talktv]

Should Scotland be allowed another independence referendum?

[@imbonkers3629]

Keep asking the question till you get the answer you want , bit like the EU 🙄

[@run2cat4run]

The government did force Scotland out of EU

[@fraserbailey6347]

No. The English should be given a referendum as to their own independence, as Peter suggests. Let these leeching losers go.

[@imbonkers3629]

@@run2cat4run no they didn’t the people did but I guess you only like democracy when you get the answer you want 🙄

[@stephenobrien5909]

@@run2cat4run No. Scotland voted to remain in the UK, so the referendum result was what the majority of the UK wanted. Personally, Scotland should fk off on their own, pay their own way, and stop bumming off of the rest of the UK.

[@phil9946]

The problem is if you’re a proud Scot or Irishman or Welsh and want independence you’re just a nationalist but if you want an independent England you’re a far right bigot 🤷‍♂️that’s how it seems to be portrayed! Long live the union 🇬🇧 from a proud English man

[@andrewbayram765]

You forgot the facist, little Englander, isolationist racist bit of the insult.

[@colin9839]

Phil your post is absolutely Spot on long live the union 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@joycegibbs5267]

exactly. Us English are treated with contempt by everybody it seems !

[@coinneachreid8971]

@@joycegibbs5267 One thing about the English, your use of your own language is shite 🤣🤣

[@JimPlebeian]

Spot on

[@staceya5149]

I voted Brexit because I believe in national sovereignty. If Scotland want to go it alone, then I say good luck and God bless. No hard feelings here. I only hope that the SNP don't sell them out to Brussels at the first opportunity, but that is for the people of Scotland decide.

[@vickyingramnymann8543]

Why give up the alliance you know to be governed by Brussels.

[@TPT6148]

Me too. Having voted to leave the EU, it would be hypocritical of me to want to force Scotland to be part of the UK.

[@staceya5149]

@@vickyingramnymann8543 I love Scotland and I hope that they choose to either remain with the UK or else go their own way as an independent nation. But believing in freedom means allowing others to make choices that we might disagree with. If Scotland chose to rejoin the EU then I can only respect their decision to do so, however big a mistake I think it would be.

[@pershorefoodbanktrusselltr3632]

They did decide in 2014?

[@bikergirl7823]

We did decide but Sturgeon doesn't care about how we voted. She's like a stuck record.

[@AB-gi3qy]

Just because the opposite shouts the loudest, it doesn't mean they're the majority.

[@tt-vu3oz]

Thanks👍.🇬🇧

[@jascam74]

That's a great statement to use to promote Scottish independence. Just because England has the most voters, does not always mean it will be in Scotland's best interest. Very true and to be expected as part of the union. Therefore, any unionist Scot voting against Scotland's best interest is quite rightly deemed as a traitor, just like any English person voting against the interest of England should be regarded as too. Its the very definition of the word. It's the same arguement used for the UK leaving the EU.

[@Morefreebies]

@@jascam74 if England had a vote in your independence you would have left in 2014

[@jascam74]

@@Morefreebies aye and I'm certain if the EU had a vote on brexit the result would've been the same.

[@Morefreebies]

@@jascam74 probably but hey ho it's so bad down here that there's thousands a week turning up in little boats. I heard that the people who are in Glasgow would rather take their chances and go back to Afghanistan than stay there. PMSL they would rather be ruled by the taliban. Enjoy your deep fried Heroin.

[@markshrimpton3138]

I’m English and have lived in Scotland for forty years. I have no idea what the majority think here because most people don’t talk politics. My perception is that as with so many things in our world a loud petulant minority manage to hog the limelight.

[@Morefreebies]

They keep getting voted in

[@dannymcintyre3819]

No I'm Scottish and still live in Scotland. I want independence.

[@dannymcintyre3819]

Mark did you vote against or for independence in 2014?

[@celtic2626]

We don’t vote Tory in Scotland tho I know that lmao

[@barbara1904]

You might find that because you are English they do not want to give an honest opinion. Also it’s impolite to talk politics with people you barely know.

[@karaloca]

English, Scottish or welsh, most normal folks don’t want to break up the Union. It’s the leaders who want to leave so they can make bigger careers for themselves and screw everyone else.

[@SkiwithMike]

This 1 million% They're irrelevant otherwise Look at the nonsense during Covid I'm Welsh, 'Not My Leaders'

[@namiboosterhuizen6610]

Spot on

[@nancyreid2416]

THE SNP cant go on as a party without leave policy that is what they are about, she knows we cang leave the union, shes a dam commie shes evil to Scotland.

[@barriewilliams4526]

Not so, otherwise there would have been very few yes votes at the last referendum....

[@karaloca]

@@barriewilliams4526 well you’re one against 82 thumbs up.

[@kellyda517]

Time for England to have a vote for independence from the UK

[@susannamarker2582]

No, that's how the SNP want you to think.

[@scotland638]

Will never happen, Westmonster seems intent on holding on to Scotland at all costs. I wish you did get a vote, you idiots left the EU and would leave the UK.

[@lioneljaftha3473]

Good riddance mate

[@CROsigliere]

Scotland created this Union, only fair England leaves to save the rest of the UK

[@jamiemclennan5826]

Thanks for your support 🤞

[@bonnscott]

The majority of Scottish people don't want to leave the UK, and I am 1 of the majority

[@mijicmugendo]

Yes they do and you are terrified to hold a referendum

[@raypurchase801]

Being a Brit makes you no less Scottish. Same with me being Cornish. Scotland has far greater independence within the UK than it could ever have as an insignificant smear on the far edge of a European superstate.

[@colinlindsay8934]

totally agree snp are a republican party detest them

[@hypnodelica]

@@mijicmugendo Scotland already held a referendum.

[@Lonsome1223]

Yes, it's the greens keeping them in power.

[@gary90297]

As a Scot. living and working in Scotland, and proud to be both British & Scottish I can say with 100% certainty that this despotic egotist does not speak for the majority of Scots!

[@vickyingramnymann8543]

Well said.

[@fraserbailey6347]

Perhaps not. But he speaks for a great many of the English, perhaps a majority.

[@chethemerc7841]

@@fraserbailey6347 thats because they all see her on the TV saying she represents all of Scotland. Which is far from the truth.

[@TheMiniMaestroMan]

I am Scottish and only Scottish. The Tory government have never cared for anyone but themselves.

[@joycegibbs5267]

friend, we'll respect whatever you want. If it happens, come down if you want, we need all the friends we can get hehe !!

[@mikemlock8011]

England should have referendum on Scotland and get rid of winging kranki

[@maderleinethomas4213]

Lmao, good idea

[@gameram6382]

If English got a vote who knows what way it would go.

[@Achilles66666]

@@gameram6382 most of them would vote for it I live in the North of England and most people here are fed up with the SNPee and Sturgeon

[@surreyanglia268]

Id love England to be a independent country...if only

[@polaris7122]

And me!

[@gameram6382]

Me too

[@pauldunlop1660]

Vote for the English Constitution party their central policy is an independent English nation.

[@philiprufus4427]

w What do the English think though ?

[@polaris7122]

@@pauldunlop1660 and what exactly will a vote for them achieve, our voting system is FPP, so they aswell as any fringe party has zero chance of seats in the government!

[@maximillianphoenix9374]

If she wants to leave uk let her go live with her friends in Europe 😵‍💫

[@cellbiologyshorts9105]

I had been wondering how easy it would be to have maratime freight between Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The geography seems to work.

[@michaelfern4079]

have the referendum tomorrow then Sturgeon will have to quit when Scotland votes Remain again.

[@johnharris1352]

If they have a vote and stay then the English should have a referendum on keeping the Barnett formula.

[@joprocter4573]

Yes maybe even a wee trial starting with nicola

[@Mark-Haddow]

Great. Then Scotland's oil & gas revenues immediately go to Holyrood.

[@alanbbrady8196]

Given that Scotland is a smaller country with greater resources they subsidise England. The Barnett formula was created to extort Scotland. So you know what you can do with your nonsense.

[@barbara1904]

FYI, when Maggie introduced that, the Scottish were unhappy with it. Because the Scots have a smaller population doesn’t mean they have less roads to manage or less remote schools and health care to pay for. And think of the impact the underfunding and neglect did to Scotland for the 250 years prior to that. Also the formula occasionally doesn’t consider big investment in England like the London Olympics or that stupid train that doesn’t reach the north of England never mind Scotland.

[@janicebirch7522]

The Barnett Formula? People in England with a rapiy expanding population, needs this more than Scotland, as the SNP give out so many freebies,,to get themselves elected!

[@OrSomeBricks]

I would love to see an Independent North of England. It’s not just the Scots, Welsh and Irish that want to ditch the clowns in Westminster!

[@artfuldodger9312]

I totally agree with what was said. If Scotland wishes to quit the Union, they have every right to do so; nevertheless, if things go badly for them, they should not come coming to us for help. Emperor Hadrian was on the right track with his thinking. He constructed a wall in order to prevent the Amazons from entering our magnificent land. It is imperative that we construct the wall if the leave the union.

[@philiprufus4427]

Anttonine,s wall was even further North,between The Forth and The Clyde to be exact,Telford built the Forth Clyde Canal along the route. The Romans by the way DID conquer Scotland,they defeated The Scottii at Mons Graupas which is beleived to be somewhere inn Aberdeenshire. Interestingly,they did not commit one Legion to this battle leaving the auxiliaries to do the buisness. The auxiliaries in question numbered amongst others Batavians and Germanicus, modern Netherlands and Germany. The Romans even had Syrians at some of the Antonine wall forts. Glasgow University holds all this information in its Huntarian Museum they excavated some of the forts in 1973.

[@keithclarke3835]

Your land isn't magnificent mate it's the planets dumping ground how many kids been murdered down there this last while or groomed in a generation all you white inglish that are left will be half Albanian or gypsy anyway

[@MontyCantsin5]

@Artful Dodger: What kind of fantasy land are you living in? 🤣

[@scotland638]

I agree we need a wall to keep those nasty Little Englanders out.And I think Northumberland might have something to say if you build the wall where Hadrians was 😆

[@CROsigliere]

Im more worried about England without Scotland, than Scotland without England

[@fazedumbjr6531]

Wales would be knackered without the English

[@fraserbailey6347]

Perhaps. Alternatively, I might force or prompt them to stand on their own two feet, which would be a good thing for everyone.

[@maderleinethomas4213]

Agree

[@gameram6382]

When does England get a vote.

[@pauldunlop1660]

If you want the England to leave the union, vote for English Constitution party, their central policy is to void the Union.

[@tariqjoseph3562]

Fukwits

[@keithclarke3835]

You get a vote when we get to vote for your inglish constitutional party

[@MontyCantsin5]

@game ram: Well the English would need to stop voting for the Tories for a start. When do you think that’s going to happen?

[@phuckerby]

I agree with Peter, if they want to leave let them leave, in fact I can't think of one way that England benefits by Scotland staying, so yes let them go, but it must be made clear that once they are gone there is no coming back!

[@CROsigliere]

Liz Truss said 3 weeks ago, that her plan to save the UK economy was to drill for more oil in the North Sea. So, if Scotland leave.... then what? Whats the plan then? UK is feckkkked. Also, with Scotland in the UK, England enjoy cheap energy coming from north of the border. If you think electrcity bills are high now, just you wait till they go independent and start charging England for every joule of energy, England will be in a lot of trouble. AND, in 40 years when global warming starts to really cause chaos, what will yous do without fresh water from Scotland? England will be PARCHED, no wonder there is a hose pipe ban, looking ahead!

[@dekmackie]

Why would we come back to bankruptcy?

[@freddiebiscuit9703]

@@dekmackie you wouldn't - not when you can have your own !

[@freddiebiscuit9703]

@@ER-eu4ciAs you said WESTMINSTER not the English people. Please don't mistake what politicians want as reflective of what the people would like, unless of course we get proportional representation.

[@janicebirch7522]

They will not really leave the UK. They are saying there won't be a land border,,but a sea border in the Irish sea!!! Where have we heard that before,,from the EUC. Selling Irish sea fudge, without consent from the rest of the UK taxpaying Union!

[@martini3524]

Here in South Ireland Unity is a bit like wanting Granny to visit, but not this weekend.

[@standenberg]

Vote up if you’re English (living in England) who wants 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 to leave the UK

[@namiboosterhuizen6610]

FFS, How many times do they need to hear it? The majority of Scots DON'T want to leave the UK. Just because Fishy Syurgeon says so, doesn't make it so. Hitchen should stop pandering to the SNP. It IS possible to be proud to be Scottish and British!

[@lorrainedanville799]

Who wants to be ruled by a Global Soviet British Government anyway. Independent for all and an English Parliament for England .

[@markthespark8004]

void the act of union and free England and have an English parliament with English law and have the English parliament based in york the other is not fit for purpose

[@GMiller75]

Voiding the Act does not terminate the treaty. You have to denounce the treaty and abolish the Act. The Acts merely ratify the treaty.

[@markthespark8004]

@@GMiller75 then that is what needs to be done FREE ENGLAND

[@billmacleod6169]

You already have an "English" parliament...that is the problem.

[@GMiller75]

@@billmacleod6169 No they don't. The parliament at Westminster is the parliament of GB which houses both countries governments as equals. The English parliament was abolished in 1707 in order to create the state parliament. While, yes, the English government under its adopted political name of UK treats it as though it were an English parliament, legally it is not. The reason why they do so however is because the Scottish government (MPs) elected to govern Scotland, who are legally obligated to sit in the state parliament, sit at the back of the chamber and defer governance to their treaty partner instead of sitting directly opposite the English government as equals in both treaty and law and governing Scotland. The English government can take responsibility for a great many things but not for deferring governance. That is wholly on the Scottish government. It is why they were openly mocked and slammed for walking out of parliament en masse. Without suspending or denouncing the treaty they were legally obligated to sit in the state parliament and had to return a few hours later. It is also why the Speaker had to get permission from the Scottish government to suspend Scottish government ministers from the chamber as was witnessed when the current speaker was apoplectic with rage at Hanvey and McAskill for stating Scotland is sovereign and inadvertently ending the treaty by unilaterally telling the Scottish government to get out of the parliament and had to hastily seek the permission of the Scottish government ministers to suspend the two MPs.

[@CaratacusAD]

I've never understood the whole devolution situation in the UK. It seems very half-ars*d which is par for the course here. Scotland, Wales and Northern island have a parliment and government of their own, yet England doesn't, but basically funds the afore mentioend........ And the British parliment in Westminster has representation from everybody. So messed up.

[@keithshaw2269]

We in N.I. haven't had a government in years, LOL.

[@CaratacusAD]

@@keithshaw2269 but that's to do with your own politicians not agreeing to form one right?? The institution is there technically in stormant, that's my point. Where England has diddly squat

[@alexboitz8540]

@@CaratacusAD With 533 English MPs versus 117 of the rest then Westminster is simply the English Parliament with a few interested bystanders. There is no way that democratic advantage will ever be voluntarily given up.

[@scoobydooz6575]

Let Scotland and Wales leave the union, it'll save England money, On the plus side, the Welsh and Scottish won't need a dinghy to cross the borders

[@gladiator3543]

Peter Hitchens seems to confuse the rhetoric of the SNP with the will of the people of Scotland who when last asked clearly rejected separation.

[@robertheywood2553]

Totally support Independence for Scotland and Wales. Let the cry go out "Independence for Scotland and Wales and FREEDOM FOR ENGLAND"

[@demonhalo67]

There is no widespread support for independence in Wales. Plaid is big only in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Anglesey.

[@jimso771]

@@demonhalo67 when Scotland gets independence Wales will follow suit believe that 😊

[@demonhalo67]

@@jimso771 It's not on the cards mate. I am Welsh and have lived in many regions of Wales throughout my 44 years, and it is a minority view in most regions other than the west and far north west. We have had this discussion here in Wales there is simply little appeitite.

[@jimso771]

@@demonhalo67 I think support for it has grown in recent times due to the shambles the Uk is in because of 15 years of Tory government but I can’t understand why you would want to be ruled by another country, especially with the Tories running things 🤔

[@sayithowitis1]

Let England vote

[@pinkandfluffysuperwokeblok9859]

I’m a unionist, but separation is preferable to to the status quo where they get a disproportionately high amount of funding than the English or Welsh. Treat the nation’s equally or separate, and cut the national debt equally too!

[@Mark-Haddow]

They contribute more than England & Wales, per capita. Good job you're too stupid to check the facts that don't suit you.

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

Wait till Scotland gets to keep all of its oil and gas revenue

[@davidcross1456]

@@alexanderstefanov6474 I know, will be worth hundreds of pounds when their net zero policies come in. Unless they're lying....

[@paparobbo62]

From OUR Oil revenues.

[@virtuallythere5866]

Scotland gets more per head (because of geography and population it costs more per head) however the bit missed out is they contribute more per head as well. Thst part magically is missed by the media ..cant think why?!!

[@paolo7688]

I believe in an independent England.

[@Billdick360]

If England want to leave the UK, "let" them do so.

[@polaris7122]

Exactly, yes please!

[@pauldunlop1660]

The English people are never asked because the British establishment knows we'd want out. You can't even put English as a nationality on official forms only British, a union invented by and for the benefit of the ruling class.

[@keithclarke3835]

Well start voting for your national party's like we do then we get it dissolved quicker

[@OG-dp1kx]

Scotland doesn't want to leave, simple as that. It is up to you if you allow the annoying constant bleating of the snp wear you down

[@williammkydde]

Why do they get re-elected all the time? This creates the impression, for outsiders, that people love her.

[@philiprufus4427]

This man is right. I am nearly 70 and have lived in Scotland most of my life many Scots like myself have English relations and for forty years of my life around the pubs SNP were laughed at and mocked. Do not be intimidated by these people they are low life. I occasionaly experianced unsaviory treatment in England,but that is very untypical of Engliish people as a whole who have a reputation for frenidliness.I always enjoyed my time in England and its many towns and cities not to mention its countryside.and I loved the pubs

[@keithclarke3835]

@@philiprufus4427 pity you came back Scotland well rid of the likes of you

[@christinemacgregor6279]

Stop grovelling

[@joycegibbs5267]

just as long as they stop having a go at the English. I'm sick of the constant attacks. Everyone can go their own way but don't blame us if it doesn't work !

[@Achilles66666]

Problem it is in there DNA they have to blame someone but themselves the Irish are known as the self pity nation the Scots will be no different 🥱

[@alexboitz8540]

What attacks on the English?

[@laurencesmith2199]

Reading the comments I can see why they want to leave .

[@MontyCantsin5]

@laurence smith: Yes, the creepy, sneering tone being expressed by many who have commented will only help to boost support for independence.

[@robertlees7528]

the auld alliance with France reborn did not end well in the hundred years war a salutary lesson perhaps?

[@laurencesmith2199]

@@robertlees7528 Eh ? I'm missing the lesson . The 100 years war , it could only be France and England . That's when the French guy ruling England was getting swizzed out of his lands , titles and inheritances back in France and took his English army over to fight for them back , again and again .

[@cellbiologyshorts9105]

I can't blame them

[@SlimTortoise]

As Brit born in England, I would rather it remain the UK, But due to Scotland and it's anti English feeling I think it's time for Scotland to go. ASAP

[@run2cat4run]

They only anti English because out English parties don’t treat Scotland very well

[@vickyingramnymann8543]

Not all Scotland is anti English. Mainly Glaswegians

[@TheMiniMaestroMan]

Anti-English? No, Anti-Tory. I'm part English and have been a lifelong supporter of Scottish Independence. The Tory party never cared for Scotland (or anyone who isn't a rich toff) and actively push to make people's lives miserable. Nicola Sturgeon has outlasted 4 UK Prime Ministers, if we wish to prosper then we need independence.

[@Achilles66666]

Only the Irish Glaswegians 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@philiprufus4427]

@@vickyingramnymann8543 Not all Glaswegians. Many I know detest SNP !

[@robj8201]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿I vow to thee my country🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Jenjenilou]

That's all very well Peter Hitchens but what about the Scots and Welsh people who don't want to leave?

[@oldbootneck]

Absolutely; I'm sick of people labelling all of the people of Scotland with the independance label.

[@familyplummer6812]

Simple, don't vote SNP/gREENS or PLaid!!

[@roasthunter]

Don't dare question the chief mammy, you don't count, you are an enemy of Scotland and must leave.

[@pommiebears]

Fight to stay. You need to be louder than the leave camp. I don’t know anyone in England who wants to lose you. But, if you have to go….😞

[@annbow4064]

True i don't want to leave its Nicola who won't stop harping on about it ,the minority make the most noise so it looks like we all want it when we all don't.

[@peejayjay9873]

GB should have a referendum to boot Scotland out, I think we are all sick of this garbage that is puked out at every opportunity.

[@andylanigan3752]

I don't want to leave,and neither do the majority of Scots.....better together.

[@allybo1]

Scotland Can put It's Border in the Irish SEA to

[@emmahowells8334]

Same in Wales, the majority don't want to leave either, it's the governments that want it, not the people.

[@leonardireland7362]

I can't get my head around why would you want to leave one union to join another at any cost to the Scottish people, it's as though Sturgeon hates the British, because if she thinks the EU is thriving, she is deluded, all she want's is power to herself

[@tariqjoseph3562]

The EU is doing better than us mate. And doesn’t have 4percent per year gdp loss on the way either. Plus the EU isn’t a union you moron.

[@christinemacgregor6279]

We didn't want to leave the EU though.

[@Cassiopia121]

Could be something to do with the freedom to trade, live and work in 26 countries without borders or restrictions rather than being stuck in a toxic union with incompetent Etonians in charge whose publicised policy is to "ignore" the First Minister. Oh, and the fact that Scotland largely voted Remain (voice of the people etc, etc, etc).

[@rmac8737]

Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the EU. This was after we were told by Conservatives that a vote for No during the referendum would see us out of the EU .... so many of us No supporters felt lied to. I am now a Yes supporter for independence. We have a right to another referendum because the terms of the initial agreement were broken after that vote. If the Conservatives believed that it was once in a generation question, then the talk of Brexit should have been shelved for a generation also, given that that was their parties policy that remaining part of the UK meant remaining in the EU. This is why we are angry and why we believe we are entitled to a 2nd Referendum. We also don't want to be governed by a party we never vote for and who doesn't give a stuff about our country or its people.

[@Plaw01]

@@rmac8737 You voted overwhelmingly to remain as part of the UK as well. How were you lied to exactly? Better Together said Scotland would remain part of the EU and it was. There was a subsequent Conservative majority and a Leave vote both of which were unthinkable at the time. If you had voted YES you would have been out of the EU and would have still been trying to get back in.

[@jimwest7107]

Agreed. Changes little for those outside those countries. We'll still all be in a trade and defence pact but each nation can only blame their own govts 100% in the future and must raise and spend their own cash. England would be fine.

[@zendog7212]

😂

[@firebyrd437]

So would Scotland we are a net provider to Westminster, just ask the tory who stood up in the house of commons to say that

[@andrewcheadle948]

@@firebyrd437 give us the figures then? Give us the figures of changing your currency, if you leave the union? Give us the figures of making up for the loss of the Barnet formula? Give us the figures of losing the banks who threatened to move south if you had another indyref and it was leave. Give us the figures of how much you would lose if in 2014 you had voted leave and were out of the Union, and also out of the EU by default. Give us the figures of how much austerity you will require to hit the criteria to join the EU? And give us the figures of how much trade will be impacted if the EU insist on a hard border..... That's if you ever hit the criteria to join. I'll wait!........... .........

[@simongarthwaite7695]

I don't want to be in any sort of special pact with them they will be foreigners potentially hostile ones who share a land mass with us we would need to tread very carefully indeed.

[@kingkenny980]

Scotland, Ireland and Wales should be allowed to leave the uk if they so wish! As an Englishman, I would like to leave the uk too! How about giving the English a referendum?

[@PUNKinDRUBLIC72]

How about independence for England?🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@mikey673442]

But Peter they voted not to leave. Keep voting until the loudest win?

[@doreenhollywood7459]

@N A Scotland mostly wants INDEPENDENCE. We are supposed to live in a democracy, or is that only for england??

[@songscoops4205]

Peter is correct let them see if the grass is greener..😛

[@BlueShadow777]

WHO is "THEM"...? The MAJORITY who DOES NOT want to leave???

[@johnthornton7199]

It's about time England stood on its own two feet

[@dekmackie]

haha, the pound will soon be worth less than a euro

[@brendasg155]

The problem with giving countries their independence is that when it doesn't work out for em they end up coming here

[@bensteel3944]

They were coming here before Brexit.

[@alanbbrady8196]

Why is it a problem after England stole all their resources ? Don't like it when the boots on the other foot eh ? I think you're a bit of a fascist and your not even aware of it.

[@PlayMistie4Me]

Aye..ok then. Name the counties that came back??.. Oh, how's Brexit?

[@paulgeddes9858]

Lol how many countries have left the empire and how many have wanted to region?

[@mattmaciver7981]

The author of this comment has a low IQ

[@robertcoleman6153]

As an Englishman living in Scotland, I would vote to leave the union in a heartbeat. I believe Scotland would be fine as an independent nation. At the very least it would mean that we were free from the loony tunes that is Westminster politics and that wouldn't be a bad thing

[@johnferrari3821]

As an Englishman I’m damed proud of how we all stood together. Let’s keep doing that. Sod the politicians.

[@garethwatkins6347]

Spot on

[@peaceman269]

Let the English vote on Scottish independence as well as the Scots. Scotland could be independent by Christmas!

[@cymro6537]

Why only 'the English' - you've forgotten N.Ireland and Wales.

[@scotland638]

👍

[@dekmackie]

@@cymro6537 of course, he is english and doesn't give two hoots about any other country

[@firebladedan1]

@@dekmackie I think you'll find the Scots are much more anti English than visa versa

[@esclad]

I agree, if they want to leave the union- let them. But Scotland needs to remember that the subsidies will stop, England would get richer and Scotland will not have a bank of last resort because the Bank of "England" will refuse to underwrite their currency (whatever it turns out to be) but it won't be sterling. And it will put an end to the constant moaning. Do the other three home nations get a vote on whether we want Scotland to leave?

[@philiprufus4427]

The Majority of us don't, and thats why there were several Scots Regiments in the Duke of Cumberlands army at Culloden In fact it was the Scots soldiers who were responsible for many atrocities. Lowland Scots were NO Jacobites and regiments such as The Royal Scots(until recently the oldest regiment in the British Army Known as Pontius Pilutes Bodyguard within the Army) and the North British Fusileirs(Ayrshire) set about suppressing the Jacobites with relish. They were aided in this by The Campbell Militia(The Argyles)The Duke of Argyle's own. Some English Yeomanry are known to have taken part,notably Kingstons Horse who included many civvy butchers in their ranks. However as The British Army of the day included many Scots,Welsh and Irish it is extremly bigoted for Scots today to attribute all atrocities to Englishmen. There are documented instances of English Officers intervening to save rebels. Perhaps an examination of the activities of a certain Major Carolin Scott(a lowland Scot) might be interesting to some nationalists.

[@keithclarke3835]

Please just vote us out your vile union

[@alexboitz8540]

You are so wrong. If Scotland got to keep, and COUNT, its own revenues instead of them being collected by the UK and used to help pay for running the UK, including the part called Scotland, then Scotland would be much better off, and the UK that much worse off. You better believe it.

[@digitd4663]

Yes we should

[@MontyCantsin5]

@ESClad: ‘’Do the other three home nations get a vote on whether we want Scotland to leave?’’ No, it’s up to Scotland alone to decide.

[@tonysaberwal8895]

Let us face facts. We gave Scotland the Referendum - and THEY voted to stay in the UK. Which part of that referendum did they not understand? Now because that Sturgeon Woman has the Gaul to keep shouting about it - it is absolutely no reason for her to take the good Scottish Nationals to a Dark Cols Place. Let’s face it - I don’t know why they get a great deal of allowance per person in Scotland - far exceeding what we get in Britain, Wales and Ireland. If ever they do separate from UK - it is very little chance of them ever joining the EU - because Spain will veto them against joining as it will send the wrong message to Catalans - and as you know - it takes just one EU Country to cast such a vote for them never to be allowed in. So who will subsidise them in the future like we do - where is their Army, Navy and Air Force. With all our Industries and factories based back in England (including our Nuclear Submarine Base) they will have no income and no defences. As they say -you have to be careful what you wish for.

[@shelleyphilcox4743]

@Tony Saberwal I think you should consider that there are plenty of Scottish people in the armed forces and the way you have written this appears somewhat dismissive of just how important Scottish personnel are to our forces and the protection contributed to the whole of the UK by Scottish personnel. You should not dismiss either how strategically important Scottish terrain is to our nuclear submarine requirements. By all means, criticise the politics of it, but dont dismiss or take for granted or insult the Scottish contribution to UK security since the union.

[@alexboitz8540]

The Scottish voters elected her to keep shouting about. We don't get a bigger allowance, Westminster spends it for us. Scotland is quite rich so we won't need subsidised by anyone. Spain has said it will have no issues with a legally won Scottish independence. Ireland and Denmark and all the other small countries manage fine without English factories or submarines , and so would Scotland. We know full well what we wish for,

[@shelleyphilcox4743]

@@alexboitz8540 Scotland gets the second highest funding per head of all of the funding areas of the UK. Northern Ireland gets the most, followed by Scotland, then Wales. There is a recent exception during Covid in which London had second highest spending in 2020/2021, but it's not the rule. The areas in the UK that get the lowest per head funding are in the Midlands and south east. England per head funding as a whole averages less than that spent in each of the other three UK countries. There is a very significant gap in the spend per head, particularly if you compare to the least funded area...which is in England, and the highest in Northern Ireland followed very closely by Scotland. The east midlands, south east and east are bottom of the pack for combined current plus capital spend per head. You should have a look so you can see exactly how much each England region gets and compare, for current, capital and combined. East Midlands should be complaining the most. East had some of the poorest places in the EU, decimated towns like Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Jaywick...yet all we hear about is Belfast, Glasgow and the Valleys, the North South divide in England. No one gives a monkey's about the employment and infrastructure problems in the regions adjacent to London, in the south and midlands. Worst funded. Horrific property prices and wages that go nowhere near buying a home. Dense population. I never laughed so hard being told there were traffic jams on the M8, going into Glasgow or Edinburgh...Ive lived around the M25....that is real traffic jams and regular hours of commuter misery! Ever been on the A12, the only artery from London M25 into East Anglia and where two of our big ports, Harwich and Felixstowe are? What I do know is, having lived north, south, east and west in England, and in Scotland (sorry Wales and Northern Ireland I havent had the pleasure of living there so cannot comment) is that there are those in Scotland that can moan even more than the Scousers, and I didn't think that was a thing that was possible. The North west generally has the highest per head spend in England after London. How is it that those areas that get the most money per head and benefit from reasonable property prices still, are those that never stop talking about how badly off they are? Do you think it would be truly fair if every region and country got exactly the same amount per head? Or perhaps you favour a model where areas that make the most money get the most per head? Why do people in Edinburgh or Aberdeen or Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester, get more than the people in Great Yarmouth or Jaywick? Child poverty in Peterborough is worse than in Liverpool and Glasgow central. Personally, I think money needs to be distributed more fairly than it is...I'd like to see Peterborough, Jaywick and Great Yarmouth get more money per head than either Edinburgh or Liverpool.

[@alexboitz8540]

@@shelleyphilcox4743 No it doesn't GET more funding. What it GETS for its 8.2% population of the UK is an allocation of 9.1% of the cost of running the UK. It GETS a so called Block Grant which is a LOT less than the UK GETS from Scotland.

[@nikitamckeever5403]

If they want to go let them . We didn’t want Europe to hold us and make it difficult to .

[@sebastiennesp1978]

Funny how all these people who hate England, actually live and prosper here. God, we are soooo horrible...

[@1320613]

As an Englishman I feel it would be a disaster if the union came to an end. We are too small an island to be divided. There would be no winners if wales and scotland left the union.

[@63mckenzie]

As a Scot, I think England would be fine, but Scotland and especially Wales would struggle. I doubt most nationalists would be happy paying massive taxes like Denmark. England would end up bearing the brunt of their failure. Ireland still depend heavily on the UK 100 years after leaving.

[@Escape_From_UK]

@@63mckenzie No, I cannot agree. We need our “Jock” and “Taff” friends as much as I believe both Scotland and Wales needs it’s “Sassenach” cousins. We are all better together but if one goes then they go, and there will be no coming back. But they go with goodwill.

[@lesliehall7683]

What about northern ireland

[@lesliehall7683]

And Peter I agree ,if the majority want to go,go

[@alexboitz8540]

@@lesliehall7683 Ireland isn't too small an island to be divided apparently.

[@ronbaird5515]

Thank you Peter for your support in the Independence debate. Each country should stand on its own two feet.

[@lucacolombo7603]

United Kingdom of England and Northern Ireland

[@neilchaplin8235]

Yes get rid , nothing more than a financial drain , even the EU doesn’t want them or has she forgotten that ?

[@davidstanley4348]

Please go ASAP.👍

[@polaris7122]

Yes, please let them leave!!!!

[@Richard-fv7rq]

Scots and Welsh get their own parliament AND the UK one. English money funds Scotland and Wales. Does Scots and Welsh cash fund England does it heck. They also get free parking at hospitals and free higher education. Time for England to be self managed.

[@rmac8737]

Time for you to be re-educated on the Barnet Formula and where it comes from. Scotland pays more into the UK economy than it gets back via the Barnet Formula ....

[@Richard-fv7rq]

@@rmac8737 bullshit

[@markhalliday2397]

“Let them”??? That’s awfully good of you. Anything else we need your permission for?

[@emmahowells8334]

Welsh government might want independence, people don't feel like that, same with Scotland & northern Ireland. Don't think that just cause the government wants it doesn't mean the people want independence, don't confuse the two. But with all the horrible comments, I can see why Scots want independence from the English.

[@darrengrimmer8541]

I agree with Peter this is non stop.. if wales and Scotland want to leave just let them.. can’t understand why that would be a problem

[@maderleinethomas4213]

Totally agree. EU don't seem that interested they are not constantly begging them to join🥴

[@davidmorgan1963]

Who says that Wales want to leave ? A few loudmouths does not make a majority

[@mijicmugendo]

@@maderleinethomas4213 Scotland will be free to join the EU is that is the wish of the people of Scotland

[@mijicmugendo]

@@davidmorgan1963 35% of wales wants out of the uk

[@davidmorgan1963]

@@mijicmugendo says who ? No one I know has ever been asked.

[@prezzeruk4054]

I agree!

[@galingale5440]

If there is to be another referendum, it should be for the whole of the UK to vote upon.

[@alexboitz8540]

Like the whole of the EU voted on Brexit?

[@mickking7364]

Let them leave but don’t expect England to pay for their failure. Also insist on a passport border.

[@michellehiggs60]

Totally agree let them have their referendum if they want to go then go. Good luck.

[@annbow4064]

We don't want to go that's why they lost the last vote.

[@michellehiggs60]

@@annbow4064 and we don’t want you to go.

[@andrewbayram765]

Ivspoken to a few Enlish people, (I am one myself, of Scottish heritage). I have to say the subject of an English referendum has come up. I'm warming to it even though my gut reaction is to keep the union together.

[@carraw3501]

You highlight a troublesome part of the situation. The UK govt could decide on an English referendum without asking anyone, as they did for the Brexit ref. They could also choose to dissolve the union or the UK.

[@120spb]

@@carraw3501 that would mean carnage in Northern Ireland. And probably a lot of trouble around the 4 nations if not done sensibly.

[@carraw3501]

@@120spb I would agree with that. It is them having the power to do so while denying Scotland the choice that gets me. And this lot and the previous have done enough immoral and basically corrupt things to concern me regards unrest. They are sailing very close to the wind regards UK public.

[@MrShuttz]

England should leave the union and save our selves a pretty penny

[@polaris7122]

Exactly, London and the south east, keep the UK going!!!!

[@pauldunlop1660]

Vote for the English Constitution party their central policy is an independent English nation.

[@alexboitz8540]

@@polaris7122 Not quite, that is why the UK is £2 TRILLION in debt, and it is just going to get worse and worse.

[@thomaschalmers4031]

I don’t want to leave, so am I and those with similar feelings to be abandoned?

[@SH-lm6ek]

A majority of Scots didn't want to leave the EU, but we left, and we didn't get special arrangements like the North of Ireland, or Gibraltar

[@billmacleod6169]

In a word...yes.

[@lindaw785]

Easy when you’ve no skin in the game. We have close family in Scotland, England and Wales and cannot contemplate this great country being broken up for scrap!

[@kevlfc9223]

I’m English if Scotland want to be independent then let them it’s their country

[@rymkervic123456]

How long and how often is this said??? I am A Scottish Nationalist and truly believe we can do extremely well. Break the union - but we can (if the vote asked for it) can still have the same King. And how well could we all do in a new union - together, one in, and yet independent and ran by our own. Not beyond doing and not beyond success.

[@jockiron]

Back up your belief with facts!

[@markymark13ification]

Exactly as stated the ones who make all the noise are the ones who want to have independence. Every test of the union has shown the majority of Scottish people want to stay

[@namiboosterhuizen6610]

The ones making the noise are 7 percenters. Take them away and you are nearer the truth.

[@Mark-Haddow]

Every imaginary test. The only union the majority in Scotland want to be part of is the EU.

[@paparobbo62]

Indy support 52%

[@rmac8737]

Sorry pal, I voted No in the last referendum. . Biggest mistake I have ever made. Ill be voting for independence for my country in 2023.... Westminster will not have its claws in my country for much longer.

[@kevinsteadman7215]

@@rmac8737 thank fuck 4 that

[@peterwilliams8122]

I thought Scotland had already voted on independence ? If they get a second vote and vote to leave it should be made clear that there is no more English tax pays monies bailing them out.

[@thesmallnotesduo]

But But BUT. NS loves English money in opposite measure to how much she loves the English.

[@alexboitz8540]

Scotland never has a deficit so is never "bailed out". The alleged deficit is created by UK spending and allocating the expenditure to Scotland. It is not quite as you gullible unionists believe.

[@lesigh1749]

@@alexboitz8540 You are talking absolute shite. Scotland has ALWAYS spent more on public services than it raises in tax ever since the SNP have been governing it.

[@stanleywoodison8699]

It's the best of three referendum...

[@alexboitz8540]

@@lesigh1749 Scotland is not allowed by law to overspend. That is a fact. The crap is coming from you.

[@alexraw2707]

Can we English have a vote to kick them both out of the union? NOW, please.

[@blanestevens3229]

A referendum on Scotland and Wales leaving the UK should involve the whole of the UK and include the question. Do you want Scotland or Wales to stay in the UK. I would vote to exclude any country that wants to leave otherwise these referendums will continue every few years.

[@technodiscofool]

So should every single member of the EU had a vote on Brexit? What a stupid opinion

[@vickyingramnymann8543]

What would happen to English living in Scotland and Scots living in England. Would you have a Scottish Passport, an English passport? If Scotland goes back into the EU I assume they will have the Euro. That will make trading with England their biggest trading partner very expensive. Maybe as this is such a big issue we should all get a vote on it. Yes, the English as well. We all have a lot at stake here.

[@robwilson3]

Do not care, I will be seeking asylum by driving to Carlisle, selling house by proxy and moving in!

[@polaris7122]

@@robwilson3 house prices in Carlisle will go through the roof. I live there, bring it on!!!!

[@vulture3874]

Well there's the thing Vicky. Under the Nats dream they have independence and retain all the benefits of being in the union. Whether they will demand forced repatriation of Scots in the British armed forces for example remains to be seen. The Scots living in the UK will be treated as equals as they always were. If the economy in Scotland tanks then the English in Scotland will bear the brunt of the abuse.

[@alistaircurrie3992]

I would imagine a Good Friday greement style deal; some will feel British, some will feel Scottish and some will feel both. No point re-inventing the wheel when it's already been done for us.

[@joprocter4573]

EU CORRUPT CLUB ABOUT TO Fall..

[@langdale55]

Thank you, Peter. That’s very kind! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@stevenjackson6383]

Scotland independence is not about a hatred for England it's about having full control of our country instead of Westminster.

[@williambarnes3868]

Let Ireland, Wales & Scotland go their own way, but also let it meah just that. Total independence means no help/support from England. They wont last 5 minutes without the billions poured into them fron the English economy.

[@paulmahon123]

Good to hear a rational view from south of the border.

[@flashtheoriginal]

One BILLION percent with Peter. And I shouldnt have to feel embarrassed at declaring myself to be a proud, law abiding, tolerant, tax-paying ENGLISHMAN 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 We have the infrastructure already - a sovereign Parliament, a currency, the mechanics of Statehood, a Constitutional Monarchy. Re-branding our Passports would be a natural progression

[@FannyShmellar]

I’m and English man living in Northern Ireland and I very much see this place as another part of my country, however I fully respect that if the people of Scotland want to leave then they must be allowed to do so. Personally I see zero reason to do it though, of course we are far stronger together. We are like no other nation in Europe, we are the same people - one nation comprised of four smaller nations. We have fought alongside one another to protect this corner of the world for hundreds of years. There is nowhere quite like it anywhere on this earth.

[@mijicmugendo]

The uk is not a country and NI is not part of it. Its occupied territory, jo different than the Russians in Ukraine. Also unionist are a minority in NI now

[@andresviveros3994]

but they wont be independent if Scotland joins the EU and has its fiscal policy dictated by the EU

[@brendasg155]

@@mijicmugendo Ukraine is Russian and NI is the UK.......... Fact

[@FannyShmellar]

@@mijicmugendo The UK is a country, NI is not occupied under any description of the word, it is democratically a party of the UK, and the majority of people still voted for unionist parties last time out - dispute SF gaining the most votes for one single party. So you’re wrong on all three accounts, which is quite something for such a short comment.

[@paulmoneill]

I think the issue is more to do with how and why it was created in the first place. I would accept it as part of the UK but it will only remain so as long as the majority there want to remain so which up to now has always been the case. Who know what tomorrow brings.

[@paulyflyer8154]

I'm welsh but I think England should have a referendum on whether they should cut Scotland adrift. Only a tiny amount of support in Wales to be honest probably about 5% so although they make the loudest noise, they should be continued to be ignored and ridiculed.

[@pjmoseley243]

I am not interested in voting for an indpendant country, if it happens it happens I doubt if it would affect me in any great way.

[@paulafletcher3691]

hate the english and half my family are english would not spit on them if they were on fire and as for you in wales yous were wanting away from england too so dont start your shite and yous make plenty of noise too !!!!!!!!!

[@Heshhion]

It's up to Scotland and Wales not P Hitchens..

[@douglasherron7534]

The SNP do not talk for all of Scotland.

[@thetraitorguardsmen.5321]

Let them leave. But like before they can't use our money and we will take our military equipment back. And anything else we supply these areas. Unless they are willing to pay england for our services.And pay there share of the debt. That this United Kingdom has accumulated over the years. 💯

[@maderleinethomas4213]

Very well said, totally agree. Surgeon wants her cake and eat. Don't come to us with a begging bowl, you would be on your own.

[@iandixon2278]

All this independence nonsense is reduceable simply to a power grab by individuals that are provenly unfit to run a bath

[@theoutsider6191]

No problem with the idea of another referendum, so long as this time they are forced to canvas and get votes from all Scottish people, everywhere, who are still British Citizens. Last time round no Scot living anywhere outside Scotland was allowed to vote. This shows just how manipulative and disingenuous the SNP really are. They claim to represent Scots, but are completely happy to remove the right to vote from a large section of their own population on a matter that will affect their rights to live where the currently reside as it will affect their Citizenship. So even Scots living in England, Wales and N. Ireland were denied their rights to vote. There is no way that should've been allowed under UK law, it was a disgusting failure by all involved including Cameron et al for allowing that to be the case. They should also guarantee that any Scot currently living in the rest of the UK is automatically granted residence and citizenship in the UK if the SNP get their independence. Anything less than this is unacceptable.

[@sandersson2813]

Why? You don't get to vote on constituencies you used to live in.

[@theoutsider6191]

@@sandersson2813 Its fairly simple I would've though, and its nothing like moving house within a country to a different voting catchment area. It will affect people's nationality, their rights to live and work in a particular country, and possibly their ability to work and continue living in another country as an ex-pat. This is why it should've been a much wider vote the first time round, and should've explicitly worked out and detailed who it would affect and how before allowing the SNP to do it. So for example if you were born in Scotland does that then mean after independence you would automatically default to being Scottish, losing your UK Citizenship and British passport and rights to live and work in the rest of the UK? Or would the fact that you were born a Brit mean you could opt for dual nationality UK and Scottish after the independence? I would've thought the latter more importantly so if you don't let Scottish people living in England for example vote on the matter, but none of this was detailed by anyone. It comes across as completely incompetent and arrogant really.

[@sandersson2813]

@@theoutsider6191 It doesn't change your nationality at all. It's a ridiculous idea. If you don't live in a country, why would you get voting rights there? It makes zero sense at all. Your votes affect peoples lives in a country you don't even live in? I'm just about to move to Norway, does that mean I should still get a vote here?

[@fat-shotgolf2937]

SNP are not Scotland, wake up or shut up

[@polaris7122]

England should have a vote!

[@Madeinwem]

The problem is that most people in Scotland want to be in the UK and you can't have a referendum every 2 minutes.

[@ejc636]

Let Scotland go. But don't come back begging.

[@davidstancomb5380]

I believe that we would ALL be poorer both culturally and financially if Scotland were to leave the Union. The Scots would be hit harder than anyone else should it happen.

[@mijicmugendo]

Hows Brexit going for you 🤣

[@sandersson2813]

@@mijicmugendo same as it's going for Scotchland

[@hetrodoxly1203]

@@mijicmugendo Great, 72 new deals.

[@mijicmugendo]

@@hetrodoxly1203 Please tell me you are joking? Are you really that gullible ?

[@davidstancomb5380]

@@mijicmugendo I'm the wrong person to ask, given that I have my home in Malta and therefore can look at it far more objectively. How is it for you?

[@genwoolfe]

Voiding the act of Union won't do England any harm.

[@penelopepissedoff9161]

Hasn't the Act of Union been voided essentialy ?? Especialy due to the devolved Governments ??? Just wondering is all

[@jas2819]

Oh, here comes 'Project Fear' again. 😂😂😂

[@goldjellyfish2452]

Yes, given the way truss and co handling the country...seeing that they have another two years... totally justified

[@kevincoshner310]

Are we sure that kranky is not driving Scotland to the cliff edge to force as much money out of Parliament as possible?

[@steadfastandyx4947]

Agree with Mr Hitchens.