American Reacts to What Would Happen if the UK Split Up?

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In this video I react to what if the UK split up? Recently I started noticing people talking about certain Independence movements within the UK, this is also known as United Kingdom separatism. I'm surprised to learn that in each of the four UK countries there are a lot of people interested in their country being independent and breaking up from the UK.
In this video we take a look at what would happen with each of these countries after a United Kingdom breakup. I already knew UK politics were complicated, but this is the first I'm hearing about this political movement within the UK. How likely is this to happen and how would you feel if your country split from the UK?
Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this reaction please give this video a thumbs up, share your thoughts in the comments and click the subscribe button to follow my journey to learn about my British and Irish ancestry.
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[@revenant_scot]

I'm a Scot that fully supports independence. I was born here but lived in England for many years before returning in 2020. I wasn't in Scotland in 2014, so didn't have a vote then. However, the political direction of travel in England has absolutely gone in a different direction to that which many, many Scots want, including me. There has not been a majority for a Conservative government in Scotland since 1959. in the 64 years since then, Scotland has only seen the government it voted for returned in 24 of those years. It's not quite that simple though and this isn't the place to go into detail on the many debates that exist around independence. What I will say is that Scotland has always been different to England in many ways, despite the Union. Scotland has a distinct legal system, education system and NHS. The film clearly shows that a major difference today is the attitude towards European Union membership. Polling on Scottish independence generally shows that those in favour rarely dips below about 47-48%, and goes as high as 58%. However, polling specifically on independence should a clear commitment be given to seek re-entry to the European Union sees those in favour top 60%. I can't remember her words exactly, but Prime Minister Theresa May once described the UKs (England's) relationship with the UK as something like 'uncomfortable'. Many in Scotland feel preceisely the same, or worse, about Westminster. I live in a relatively rural part of Western Scotland. Depopulation here is an issue. There is a feeling amongst many that Westminster is ill-equipped (and perhaps simply unconcerned) to manage the very different needs and issues that face different parts of Scotland as compared to England, given the massive imbalance of the number of MPs representing English constituencies as compared to the representation of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. That's a problem for areas such as mine, and there is a growing belief that only a Scottish Parliament in an independent nation will properly address those needs. On the other side of the debate, many say we had a vote in 2014, and that decided the matter. However, the commitments of the three main (English) political parties (Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem) at that time included that a vote to stay in the UK was a vote to stay in the EU. That bubble burst very quickly after 2014 with England's vote to leave the EU. The vote for Labour in particular in Scotland collapsed at that time and the SNP has been the largest party in both the Scottish Parliament and representing Scotland at Westminster ever since. What is fairly clear and becoming clearer is that all age groups apart from over 65s now have a majority in favour of both independence and becoming a republic. In the case of 16 - 24 year olds, the difference is massive with the huge majority in favour of becoming an independent republic. So for me, it is not a question of if this happens, it's when. The drive of the independence movement is not abating in any way though, so don't be surprised if it happens sooner than later. One last thing. A massive difference for me between the 2014 Scotland referendum and the 2016 EU referendum is that in Scotland, a massive document which outlined the intents of the Scottish Government in taking forward an independent nation was published. It covered every major issue from democracy to defence, health to trade and education to civic society. Voters had the opportunity to read this and decide on the basis of this document if they felt the intents were realistic and desirable. In the 2016 referendum, there was no such document, and a shortlist of bullet pointed promises were made on leaflets, as well as a soundbite on the side of the big red Brexs*it bus. There was no plan. You could see it on the faces of the people who campaigned to leave the morning after the result was announced. Their expressions said, 'oh sh*t, what do we do now?'. And none of their promises have been fulfilled. The 'country' as it is now should be renamed the Disunited Kingdom because in my eyes, that is the best, most polite description I can think of for it!

[@lespaddick6248]

I respect you It's unusual for a Scot In England to not be a Unionist I respect You for that and it's obvious because we know our own country The more Right wing England becomes the more Scotland will reject them

[@helenroberts1107]

I live in Wales. It’s complicated I think. Wales isn’t as large as Scotland obviously but they have occasionally spoken about independence. I feel it’s partly because the UK government, whoever gets in, make other countries feel like they have no idea what it’s like for them and are very out of touch. When Brexit happened, not everyone wanted it and not everyone is for the royal family, especially now the Queen has died. The Isle of Man isn’t part of the UK. It’s independent even though it’s tiny. I think Scotland are very close to independence

[@reactingtomyroots]

Definitely agree that it seems complicated!

[@carltaylor6452]

Scotland *was* very close to independence. Voters are abandoning the SNP. The Isle of Man, although not a part of the UK, is a protectorate - its independence is limited, especially in relation to foreign policy or defence.

[@Mr9ig]

Our government is too focused on London and it’s immediate surroundings

[@daftgowk1]

@@sunseeker9581 what, are you refering to the tens of billions we give more than we take each year, the sovereign wealth fund that England takes from us per annum? Do the numbers instead of repeating soundbites. We get half of what we give back from the Barnet formula, plus pensions. Propoganda sheep that refuse to do any research are the scourge of the Western world at the moment

[@louuu573]

it's all complicated. i wish the government would just let the other countries have independence.

[@duncanliath]

you're wrong about Scotland and the monarchy, Steve. Of the 4 countries making up the UK, Scotland is the least supportive of the monarchy. Only 1/3 of Scots in a 2023 poll carried out for ITV News channel just before coronation of King Charles were in favour of keeping the monarchy

[@petergordon4525]

​@@OneTrueScotsmanindependence will never happen, get real

[@billybatts8283]

​@@OneTrueScotsmanmaybe but not this generation.

[@stoneoutdooradventures2286]

I'm English and I don't want a monarchy but we don't get a say..I think it doesn't really matter if Scotland gets independence it'll be the same as the empire countries.. we're all ruled by the same people anyway unfortunately.

[@jonkerr7667]

@@petergordon4525 Yes it will for sure , have a good cry why if does 😭

[@davebarker9144]

The monarchy represents Britain to the rest of the world. Visiting dignitaries are usually pleased to be greeted by the monarch. We need a head of state of some kind so what do we put in its place? President Borris?@@stoneoutdooradventures2286

[@karenlp5867]

I was born in England but I’ve lived in Wales for most of my life. I like the idea of Welsh independence in principle. (Whether or not it is really practical I’m not sure of). The majority of people in Scotland and Wales do not want a Conservative government, but the majority of English people keep voting for them. Because the English population is so much larger than that of Scotland and Wales, the Conservatives keep being voted into power and inflicted on the rest of us by the English. There are other reasons why Scottish and Welsh people want independence, but not being ruled by a Conservative government is a big contributing factor. At least, this is how the situation seems to me. While Scotland might well become independent within the next 20 years, I can’t see it happening in Wales that soon. But then, 10 years ago I would not have thought it possible that the UK would leave the EU, so who knows what can happen.

[@karenlp5867]

@@OneTrueScotsman unfortunately I think that the majority of voters agree with the economic stance taken by both the Conservatives and Labour. I’m not an expert on this by any means, so I could be wrong, but it seems to me that despite the unpopularity of the Tories at the moment, Labour have to adopt these low spending, pro business policies to be able to win the General Election. I’m disappointed at their stance on the minimum wage and Keir Starmer’s attitude to the strikers, but at least Labour do want to introduce some policies to improve workers rights. Stopping employers from being able to fire and re-hire, getting rid of zero hours contracts, and giving all workers the right to sick pay are all very good things. Also, the Labour Party seem to be far more intent on fixing the housing crisis than the Tories. I am a bit sceptical as to how well they will actually do when it comes to housing if they get into government, but I think they will be better than the Tories.

[@daijones5558]

As a welshman, I would have liked to see independence but Wales could never be an effective independent country, run by tye current government in Cardiff. Plus there's not particularly good road links between North and south wales. And there are cultural differences, as in two dialects of the Welsh language, and how many speak it and favourite sport. A lot of North Welsh people would not consider me as 'real welsh'. Plus our current Welsh ministers have practically banned construction of new road infrastructure, so this divide will still be a thing after theoretical independence.

[@cdeford2]

Wales and Scotland have their own governments and they've been just as bad as the Tories. Politicians are bad wherever you look. The only good reason for independence is a deeply-held belief that your country should be a sovereign nation, and there certainly isn't that appetite in Wales and probably not enough of it in Scotland.

[@darkstarnh]

Anghywir. Independance first and work out any differences after. We are all Cymru.@@daijones5558

[@bujin1977]

@@daijones5558 There's a good reason why there are no road links between north and south Wales - it never suited England to build them. The main roads in Wales are the M4 in the south and the A55 in the north. Both built in order to (a) link England to Ireland, and (b) extract resources from Wales easier. The cultural differences between the north and south Welsh are also overblown as a typical divide and conquer tactic - if we're busy fighting amongst ourselves, we won't be fighting the English. We're not THAT different. The dialectic difference between the north and south are not really any different than the dialect difference between, say, London and Newcastle. I'm no fan of the current Welsh government, but their "ban" on the construction of new road infrastructure does make some logical sense, although it's not well implemented. All we're doing by building new roads is kicking the can down the road. In a year's time, we'll need even more roads because the newer roads just increase the traffic even more. It's an endless cycle. What's needed is to do more to help people get out of their cars. Better public transport links, better cycling infrastructure, etc... The WG are taking a difficult option to try to break the cycle and do something different. It's never going to be popular, but we need to start thinking differently.

[@egriffiths8993]

Even today the BBC were calling Charles the King of England. It’s like it’s their royal family and we get to borrow them as we are stuck together as the United Kingdom. It’s so bizarre

[@jamesoshea580]

Haha in the thumbnail, your face, the question 'can this happen?' And an image of the countries floating away from each other is just too funny!

[@reactingtomyroots]

hahah, glad to provide you with a laugh :)

[@jamesoshea580]

@reactingtomyroots you do provide some laughs. I love seeing your take on all things British. You have a great channel, it's very entertaining! Keep up the good work!

[@JohnMacbeth]

Being English I'd rather Wales, N Ireland and Scotland go their own way. England needs to fix it's internal problems and needs a massive shake up in regards in immigration, freedom of speech and a number of other issues. Might lose our status on the international stage by a splitting the 4 nations, but I don't see that as a bad thing. Would stop us getting involved in affairs we have no business being involved in.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Great points!

[@JohnMacbeth]

@@thetruth9210 Roll over and hide then, the rest of us will fix this shitstorm.

[@zoedundas8423]

Living next to Scotland is like sharing your house with a teenager....

[@blahblaahh3004]

I'm Scottish but was raised by an English stepdad and I also have 2 English brothers. Dad has lived in Scotland for decades and voted for Scottish independence because we just aren't the same; we vote completely differently. England vote more conservative (in general) and we're more liberal. We had different views on Brexit too, Scotland and N Ireland didn't want it but England and Wales did. It makes zero sense to continue as one whole kingdom because we are not one entity. It's OK just to be neighbours, there's no hate to *most* English people at all. Just their government. All the best to everyone reading this wherever you're from. ❤ After reading a few comments from arrogant and uneducated English folk here I remember why our countries have been at war for centuries. 😂

[@faithpearlgenied-a5517]

I want us to stay together but I understand your view too 💚

[@allenjohnson7686]

im from county durham, id join scotland tomorrow!!!

[@Mr9ig]

As an Englishman I agree with all you say except BREXIT, leaving was a good idea screwed up by an inept government

[@dkinclonberne]

​@@Mr9igyou mean inept people voted to leave with an inept government, not the government's fault brexiters voted to leave when the plan was to lose the election in the first place lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@Lulubelle123]

I’m from Scotland and voted for independence in 2014 and hope I get the chance to do so again ( successfully this time 😊)

[@alisonrandall3039]

I hope you do also. I’m English but have Scottish heritage. With my great grandparents were from Dumfries and Kilmarnock. I think also everyone should of had the chance to vote. Especially as some people from Scotland were not allowed to vote. Because they were living in the England,Wales,Northern Ireland. My stepfather was one of them.

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

@@sunseeker9581 You are well off the mark with that view, it was austerity that impacted on the 2014 vote, that & the large English born population in Scotland that helped win the day for the British state. Subsequently, Brexit & covid has caused a lot of chaos & instability in peoples life, this will settle down & I am pretty confident that Scotland will depart from the British state & it will be a day of unbridled joy.

[@hey12542]

​​​@@alisonrandall3039I hope you saying everyone means 'The English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿' getting to vote for English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 independence too? Some of us want nothing to do with Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 and Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

[@eddycampbell3101]

If Scotland goes independent I would like to move there

[@RyanSmith-on1hq]

​@@hey12542 we need to break into counties, kingdoms or something. I'm Scottish and I want Pictland back. Glasgow and Edinburgh have lost it. The things they're voting for is too far. We need local leaders, this central power is destroying us all. Everything will be lost soon, we need to preserve what we still can. We can all still be friends and have each others back but this failed UK thing ain't working.

[@ryanhastie232]

I am born and raised England, but my dad's family are all Scottish, and Scotland especially has its own identity. This has increased more since the UK vote to leave EU. Overall, the Scots chose to stay in EU, but it goes off overall majority of the entire UK. So the differences between England and Scotland are growing more and more each day

[@c_n_b]

What makes me laugh is the majority of Scots who want independence from the UK want to rejoin the EU empire 🤣🤣🤣

[@no-oneinparticular7264]

Scotland is now the country with the most massive drug problems out of the UK.

[@billybatts8283]

In total more people voted in Scotland to leave in the EU in 2016 than voted to leave the Union in 2014. Also, had Scotland voted for so called independence then they would've been out the EU, why does no one talk about that? Why do people think Scotland are special and not subject to the same laws of entry and membership as other nations. Scotland would've needed to apply as an independent nation, after proving they can sustain themselves independently. So, Scotland as an independent nation would be looking at decades before even being considered for the EU, what, you think all the other EU nations will happily risk allowing them entry automatically over others only to have to spend all their money supporting them shoukd the economy die, you know like it is now with the SNP? Get real, it's over. Scotland chose to remain in the UK and the UK chose to leave the EU. It's that simple and it is over.

[@diannegreenshields7421]

The English Government are very good at scare tactics. They spun the lies easily and many people believed them. They told Scotland that if we became Independent, we won't be in the EU...but the EU stated that Scotland would be its own Country and would become members if we chose to do so. They also made out that the small businesses would lose a lot of money (but because of Scottish oil, that wasn't true either.) We also weren't told BEFORE the vote that the UK were even planning to leave the EU! SO, Scotland voted to stay in the UK for a few reasons (1 of the main reasons was that we wanted to stay in the EU) and as soon as the votes went in England's favour (remember the lies?...), the UK decided to LEAVE the EU!!! Can we blame Scotland and Wales for wanting to become our OWN people?...NOT part of a corrupt Government?

[@carltaylor6452]

@@OneTrueScotsman Good reasoning, but I don't think the SNP is likely to lead Scotland to independence - it appears to have lost its way and is too comfortable with devolution. The current alliance with The Greens has been a disaster for the SNP (and what would happen to all that North Sea oil wealth if The Greens were given more power?) Voters are likely to abandon the SNP. The question is whether they will turn to other independence parties, or to the unionist Scottish Labour Party. It may not be 'over', but it's looking as though the cause has been set back, possibly for another generation, and there's no-one else for the SNP to blame for that but itself.

[@stuartthomson1863]

I voted for Scottish independence in 2014, and nothing has changed my mind since. I feel like the drive for it has definitely slowed in recent times, but to answer your question…yes it is just a matter of a vote however, the ability to call one rests at the UK governments approval of it and they refuse to allow another vote. They currently have refused two formal requests since 2014 after Scotland voting in a pro-independence government with the mandate to call a vote. I, unlike some, don’t hate England or the English like some would think. I just feel we are very opposite when it comes to politics, and think we’d be better cooperating as separate countries rather than having a tug of war as part of the same country. Northern Ireland have now twice in a row, voted in more republican MP’s than unionist which has never happened in my lifetime, so the shift seems to be strengthening there. I am by no means an expert on Irish politics though. Welsh independence movement is growing as well, but is still miles behind Scotlands. I have heard of English independence movements as well, but that seems to be relatively slow.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Ah, okay! This explanation definitely helps make more sense of the issue. Appreciate your perspective

[@hey12542]

Yeah I do think that it's time Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 goes. To be fair that will be the best thing in terms of English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 independence. English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 independence doesn't need to shout loudly for it, we know by sitting and waiting Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 will leave and then we break off with Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 and also be independent. Roll on I say.

[@andyallan2909]

The N. Ireland, Welsh and Scottish governments receive their finance from the UK government, which collects all UK taxes. Therefore we have a UK government which can spend as much as it likes on England, but controls the spending of the others. This causes a lot of grief. England has such a massive population, when compared with all the others put together, that politically they control everything. They have done their utmost to sew fear of independence and lie about possible outcomes. They are aided in this by the UK government controlled BBC and the London press (all far from independent and even-handed in their reporting). At the time of the referendum, the UK government made a great deal out of how bad it would be for an independent Scotland, economically, to be outside the European Union; about how important trade with the EU was for the UK as a whole. They emphasised, over and over again, how Scotland would be outside the EU if we voted for independence, as the UK was the member state. Opinion polls suggested this economic fear factor swayed a lot of voters during the last few days before the vote. Of course this was rubbish, and the next thing you know, the English with their massive population imbalance, vote for Brexit and take us out of the EU anyway, in spite of what they said before (truth is not something the UK government is good at dealing with). They took us out of Europe despite a massive majority of Scots voting to remain. This is only one of the reasons why the Scottish independence movement is so strong. Basically, the English do what they like and we have no say. We have no democracy, our votes are worthless, England decides everything. Currently our country is being flooded with migrants from England, they seem to prefer living in Scotland to their own country. The UK government has encouraged this with its economic policies (sell your house in the SE of England and buy housing more cheaply in Scotland - have a better way of life). They probably intended to add more English voters to the electorate here, in an attempt to dilute the desire for freedom, but it hasn't worked as they expected. Many of the new Scottish voters from south of the border, abhor what is going on in England and many have even been voting SNP (the party of independence). Concerning your comment about whether the other UK nations should have a say if one part demands independence, there are still many voices saying that the English should have a say if the Scottish electorate vote for independence in any forthcoming referendum. 'We're all members of the UK,' they say, it would affect us all, so we should all have a say. Note the unsurprising hypocrisy here. We were a member of the EU with others, but did they allow a say to those 'others?' Were Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, etc., etc. consulted or given a vote when they wanted to leave? No! The list of incidents involving their 'dirty tricks' department is endless too. For the last few years this has included attempting to smear politicians high in the independence movement and murmurings of criminal behaviour. Have any of these people been found to have committed such dire deeds? No. But all these things are intended to have an effect on electors. So far the majority of those supporting independence are remaining steadfast.

[@diannegreenshields7421]

We've basically said the same thing lol. Your explanation was more in depth than mine so I'm now an @andyallan2909 fan! LOL.

[@jonfethers7608]

What an absolute crook of shat! How much do you pay for prescriptions in Scotland? How much do you pay for university education? As you say the population from England pay the majority of taxes/funds, let’s see how you do without the funding from a joined up union

[@darkstarnh]

I want to pay my taxes to the Welsh government, not Westminster.

[@roberttewnion1690]

Westminster basically is the English government, 90% of the MPs in Westminster represent English constituencies.

[@claregale9011]

We the English think they are bloody useless too.

[@thepickledpixie9052]

Exactly. I'm 51. Scotland has never voted for a Tory government in my lifetime, yet most of my life we have been governed by the Tories. That's why many want independence. It's not a xenophobic anti English sentiment as the media likes to imply. The population of London alone is higher than the entire population of Scotland. Life in London is a world apart from life in Scotland. Our climate, culture, industry and economy is entirely different. No matter what we vote for, it doesn't count because we are outvoted by sheer numbers who are (naturally) voting for what works for them in the SE England.

[@hey12542]

​@@thepickledpixie9052But parts of Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I.E the north east has previously voted in favour of Tories rather tham SNP previously. Nicola must have got into your head and stayed there 😂, you're just repeating what she has herself said.

[@KeesBoons]

I'm surprised he didn't mention the split up of Czechoslovakia as an example. People should have their right of self-determination in my opinion. Will it be easy? No, of course not. Politicians are megalomaniacs in general and right now the UK government is holding the individual countries in a headlock.

[@CiaraNíShúilleabháin1990]

​@@OneTrueScotsman If the government here in Ireland even suggested becoming a part of the UK again, then there would instantly be a massive revolution and they'd probably end up being killed by an angry mob. We suffered through 800 years of oppression and genocide, from which our population still hasn't recovered, and we fought too hard for independence only to end up with part of our country still being occupied. There is absolutely no chance that we would ever allow Britain to control the rest of our country again.

[@DB-stuff]

It's interesting that the Scottish National party might make the next general election a one issue vote, a SNP win would make it harder for London to refuse another independence referendum, my choice for the way forward.

[@KeesBoons]

@@DB-stuff I've read this, but I don't know how realistic that is, and I don't know what this would mean legally. Not that familiar with UK law.

[@johnevans5678]

I am one of those 'Yes Cymru' supporters also! As the rise and rise of the independence movements continue so does the build of negative propaganda and lies from our media which drives a lot of ignorance and hate sadly. But we keep on! Annibyniaeth nawr!

[@owainmorgan3897]

Northern Ireland does NOT have an official flag. Flags are extremely contentious in the territory. In fact Councils uses to ensure that the Union flag was flown over County, City and Town halls everyday. When Belfast City Council changed this Councillors who voted for it were threatened with violence.

[@colinmorrison5119]

It's shameful how much council time is wasted on fleg nonsense (and also prayers - yes, really!), given we have a non-functional Assembly and cost of greed crisis. Unfortunately, the extremes have to stir up their base come election time.

[@Iestynity]

I work for my local council in Wales and I find it disgusting how we're constantly flying the Union Jack flag, and only fly the Welsh Red Dragon flag occasionally, and when we do fly that flag, we also fly the union flag above it on the taller poll.

[@hey12542]

​@@IestynityStrange everytime you see something in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 it's flying this flag 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿.

[@roberttewnion1690]

I'm Scottish and I'm desperate for our independence. Imagine asking a Canadian if they were in favour of the idea of their government sitting in Washington DC ...That's basically what Scotland has to deal with our Scottish Parliament can't even set a minimum wage!

[@billybatts8283]

The rest of the UK should be allowed a referendum on Scotlands membership, you're useless as a nation. I love the oil and gas argument like its all yours and like there is no climate crisis and we are not moving away from fossil fuels lol. Yet you want to build your economy around fossil fiels as an independent nation, hmmm... I'd love to see you independent with the corrupt SNP running things, the EU would never let you join. Oh, and ask the people of California about setting letting socialists set a minimum wage, see what they now have to pay for a Big Mac thanks to Marxists lol.

[@reactingtomyroots]

That's a good way of putting it!

[@IndependentHeathen]

​@@OneTrueScotsmanThat's a brilliant analogy.

[@MadScotsman05]

Scotland was denied another independence referendum at the end of last year which means England isn’t allowing us to vote at all

[@stewedfishproductions7959]

That's because you're a 'Mad Scotsman', so sensible people have to keep you in check... ONLY joking ! 😎 😅 😂 🤣 (I couldn't resist with a user name like yours).

[@peterharridge8565]

You voted in 2014, now you want another one. I was amused that at the next GE (2015) after saying no we are fine with you, you then voted SNP in droves. SNP went from 19.9% in 2010 to 49.97% in 2015. But you already said no to independence 55-45. This is plainly stupid. We hadn't left EU in 2015, what's the excuse? So no you lost the chance. That said I'd give you a ref right now if you are stupid enough to vote yes. But if you don't , that's it for 40 years. I think Tories should bite their hand off. You are never gonna win one. Because it's crazy. You think England are gonna say, we'll pay for everything don't worry. If Brexit has taught us one thing it is that negotiations are a nightmare. Both sides want everything and they can't have it. They act like children. Gimme gimme gimme.

[@MadScotsman05]

@@stewedfishproductions7959 fair enough lad😂 made it as my gamertag about 10 years ago with my brother so I just stuck with it 😂

[@MadScotsman05]

@@peterharridge8565 wasn’t that deep, was just telling him what happened, I’ve hardly looked into it as I’ve only just became old enough to vote, cool your jets😂

[@davidkettlewell]

Keep voting until you get the answer you want ?

[@PorridgeDrawers]

I'm an activist for Scottish independence. The polls show over 50% for independence. Exiting the EU has damaged the UK severely and has increased the polls, more favourable for independence now. We will want a vote on the monarchy. Scotland, in general, does not like 'titles' and we do not need to bow or curtsy to royalty.

[@katiemilku]

Think how much more damaging it'd be if Scotland exits the UK though, if they re-joined the EU what would happen to the majority of their trade within the current UK, there would need to be a deal like Northern Ireland's pertaining to the border of England if the country even wanted a chance to survive independently. There's also the issue of people passing through the border for both family and work, something that hasn't been in place for centuries. Additionally there's no guaranteed chance Scotland would even be able to join the EU, and even if they were it'd most likely take decades due to the economic fallout that'd have to be figured out before even applying for membership. Whilst being nationalistic can be a good thing, a more realistic approach would be wanting more power in the Scottish government instead of straight up breaking the union apart.

[@Jay_Johnson]

Except they don't do they. None of the last 20 poll results show over 50% and in the last 40 there were only 2. but that goes back before Yousaf became leader.

[@Jay_Johnson]

@@katiemilku It's almost like a binary decision between remaining and leaving is a stupid idea and that compromise is important in politics and diplomacy. If only we could have learned that lesson by now.

[@PorridgeDrawers]

@Jay_Johnson the polls are far better than 50%. Gove hiding a poll that the courts told him to release is speculates to be 72% for independence and that is why he won't release it.

[@katiemilku]

@@OneTrueScotsman those were colonies, stop trying to treat Scotland like it is one. And the fallout from leaving the UK will be far worse for Scotland than Brexit, and will definitely last for at least a few decades.

[@duncanliath]

when discussing the 'military', how come the author of this video failed to mention that the entire UK nuclear weapons store and fleet of nuclear submarines are housed in Scotland - against the wishes of many Scots - and the removal of these from Scotland is one of the planks of the Independednce movement in Scotland ?

[@docksider]

The fact that Wales is economically week does not suggest that the Union has been working in its favour.... Politically Wales is very very different from England.

[@AidanC850]

I am English with cornish and welsh roots. Although I'd feel sad of a break up of the UK, there isn't much that can be done.. if people want to leave then we respect that.. It's a shame the video didn't talk about Cornwall as Cornish people in 2014 got recognised as a minority in England but I could see that if everyone left, I wouldn't see a reason why Cornwall wouldn't want to be its own country again.. However Cornwall has lost alot of their identity due to English conquest and so I could understand why Cornwall may not become independent, economically I couldn't see Cornwall surviving on their own without being supported by england or even the EU

[@simonupton-millard]

I was born in England now live in Wales and feel more Welsh than English, if there was a vote tomorrow I would vote to leave the UK Scotland according to the poles it would leave now and Northern Ireland will likely be unified with Ireland in my lifetime

[@reactingtomyroots]

Totally understand that sentiment!

[@simonupton-millard]

@@sunseeker9581 if Brexit taught us anything when it comes to sovereignty money dosnt matter, there are a lot of smaller countrys than wales and a lot of poorer countrys, So if Wales chose to we could survive but would definitely be an adjustment

[@AidanC850]

@@sunseeker9581 Unrealistic?.. As I said... I don't think they could economically support themselves so yes it is unrealistic in that sense.. Ancient history? Definitely not.... the Cornish identity even after English conquest survived and held out which makes Cornwall a unique case as it's the only place within England who didn't have their entire identity erased. The language was even spoken in the 1700s and in the start of the 1800s so I wouldn't say its "Ancient" history... the language is being revived as we speak.. Cornwalls culture and tradition survived this whole time even still being practiced so it can't be ancient history if their practices are still going

[@hey12542]

​@@simonupton-millardYou might feel Welsh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 but trust me to any Welsh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 person you'll always be seen a colonial English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 overlord. That's how they think.

[@WanderlustWarrior46]

Im from the north of the island of Ireland 🇮🇪 consider myself irish and defetly want th uk split. We have duel nationality. Andd i hold irsh passport. I think most people would be for independence 4:24 4:35

[@CiaraNíShúilleabháin1990]

Tiocfaidh ár lá! 🇮🇪

[@colinmorrison5119]

I think there's a lot of anxiety over how to do it. I was raised unionist but am now persuadable to a reunified Ireland...but don't want another Brexit-style blind referendum shitshow. Given the deep divisions that persist, it'll be a delicate job. I remember the bad old days (I didn't know peace until my mid 20s), and do not want that for the youth of NI. Another thing is what ROI folks are willing to change or give up to make it happen. NI can't just be absorbed; that will definitely fail. Major changes to the Constitution and other things will be needed.

[@gjbriggs]

Wales does have an independence movement called 'Yes Cymru'.

[@kirstie-justbeingme]

I’m Scottish and all for independence. The UK Government had to give Scotland PERMISSION to have an independence vote for it to be ‘legal’. They sent up busloads of unionists from England and gave the Scottish people lots of ‘promises’ and spread scare stories about the Scots not getting their pensions, having food shortages due to rising cost, having no trade deals and industry leaving Scotland if we voted to leave the UK. This happened just 3 weeks before the polling day as polls at the time were showing Scotland’s majority voting for independence. The UK government even put a stop to Outlander being broadcast during this time as they feared that it would steer undecided voters to vote for our independence!!! The truth is that England would have lost a lot more than we would’ve if the vote has been in favour of being independent. Also, the £ was first used in Scotland, before England starting using it. If you look back on maps of the North Sea, you will notice that the UK government has slowly moved their sea border north, taking over Scottish waters… this reason, imo, to eventually take over the North Sea and therefore take possession of all the oil, most of which is in Scottish waters

[@RCEASTMIDLANDS]

Didn't see the video mention the Barnett Formula: Scotland after independence would be unaffordable with their current level of debt and spending: It would need immediate and large tax rises and spending cuts as they would no longer being subsidised by UK taxpayers via the Barnett formula. Scotland *currently* receives £126 per person from Westminster for every £100 they pay in, which is a colossal amount that will only grow as an independent Scotland would have to fund it's own military, Government departments, pension liabilities, national debt and interest liabilities, plus all the additional departments, ministers, and programs they would need that are no longer centrally funded.

[@aa-xg3ct]

You're from the midlands, you don't subsidise anyone. London keeps you going.

[@RCEASTMIDLANDS]

@@aa-xg3ct London and the Midlands are both in England, and funding is raised locally by council tax for local services. It looks like you tried to come up with a "gotcha" defence of Scotland's financial dependency on the UK, but couldn't think of one. I think better time would be spent trying to figure out why you're so defensive of Scotland's poor governance and economy, and instead throw out the SNP next election, since they've run Scotland down over the years (To now having the worst performing Economy, Education, NHS, and local services in the UK, despite them receiving disproportionately higher funding) in favour of making the argument that independence will fix all the problems the SNP created.

[@donnakantaris2287]

An independent Scotland would have a different and new sovereign identity. The UN supports the legal right of a newly independent sovereign nation to repudiate the debt arising from previously being part of another country. Article 38 of the 1983 Vienna Convention on Succession of States in Respect of State Property, Archives and Debts states: 'When the successor State is a newly independent State, no State debt of the predecessor State shall pass to the newly independent State, unless an agreement between them provides otherwise in view of the link between the State debt of the predecessor State connected with its activity in the territory to which the succession of States relates and the property, rights and interests which pass to the newly independent State;' Therefore Scotland technically could unilaterally repudiate pre-independence debt. That would result in a hell of a bun fight internationally through the UN but would be very difficult for the UK government to do much about, other than negotiate.

[@RCEASTMIDLANDS]

@@donnakantaris2287 I think that you're forgetting the UK could retaliate by refusing to recognise Scottish Independence, which would be very easy since the act of union is a UK law, which Scotland couldn't repeal on their own. The UK could also crush them financially with the bank of England until they took on their share of the debt, blockade them from all trade, medicine and equipment, which would absolutely destroy their economy in days (Over 60% of Scotland's trade is to the rest of the UK). If Scotland refused to take on their share of the national debt it also seems likely the UK would seize assets to compensate themselves and credit agencies would most definitely crash Scotland's credit rating causing them to declare bankruptcy since they wouldn't be able to borrow internationally (who would lend money to a nation that won't repay it's debts). Scotland is already running an unsustainable deficit. Quite simply if Scotland even *suggested* they wouldn't take their share of the national debt they wouldn't even be allowed a vote on independence, and the damage to their economy would be on an incredible scale in mere days.

[@donnakantaris2287]

@@RCEASTMIDLANDS - As I said - almighty bunfight. If the UK even threatened to do all this their standing internationally would be at risk and there would be considerable international pressure to find a compromise.

[@ottograce]

The factor that most complicates the attitude to the independence of the United Kingdom territories is that while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have their own limited form of self-government, England does not. This is a deliberate ploy by the parliament in Westminster to retain for itself collective governance of the whole of the UK. Therefore, even if one of the other territories tries to cede democratically from the UK, the Westminster parliament simply ignores it. Further, it claims primacy because in certain respects (defence, international relations, most taxation and - critically - voting rights and representation) it governs not only for England, but for all the territories. So, Permission even to hold a vote for or against independence can only be given by Westminster, which will never willingly do it because the political parties in England could not govern effectively without the votes of their members or supporters in Scotland, Wales or N Ireland. Scotland had been governed for some years by an overwhelming majority of Scottish Nationalist Party representatives whose policy is independence, but they cannot hold a meaningful vote on independence without the permission of the parliament in London - which refuses to allow it. The situation in Wales is similar, but the Welsh Nationalist Party (Plaid Cymru) has less support than in Scotland and has never held majority power. This may be because Wales have been a colony of England since the 13th century and has been forced to adopt the same legal system and institutions as England. Scotland has only been connected formally with England since 1707, and has always retained entirely separate legal and educational systems, so elements of independence already exist. If England were to have its own parliament, then the situation would probably change, but at the moment the parliament in London can pass laws which only affect people in Scotland, Wales or N Ireland, but the same is not true in reverse. This is called 'the West Lothian question' (named after a former member of parliament for that part of Scotland): why should a member of parliament who represents only part of England be able to vote for something which will only affect the Scots or the Welsh? It is this claim of English supremacy which infuriates many Scots, Welsh and N Irish people.

[@struebz]

There’s an independent movement in Wales called “Yes Cymru”, it is growing, especially with the younger generations. People say no country apart from England would manage. There are countries far smaller doing fine. Heck, we can keep our water and not flood our villages for the English border 😅 Only reason I’m against it is my football team plays in the English leagues 😂

[@gallowglass2630]

Derry city in Northern ireland plays in the republic of ireland league so football is not really a good reason.

[@struebz]

@@gallowglass2630 yep, not a good reason. I’m for independence on the whole. I just know that most English want us out the league asap either way

[@vjaska]

@@struebzI'm against independence but in favour of devolving powers to all parts of the UK away from the crappy government we have. Regardless, I wouldn't kick your team out of the league - not only would it be a trivial issue to do but there is at least four Welsh teams in the English leagues and from memory, one English team in the Scottish leagues

[@struebz]

@@OneTrueScotsman exactly. Hate when people say population will be too small etc. when there are countries that are doing just fine

[@white-dragon4424]

Amusing, referring to important national politics in terms of a cloth cap sport. And people wonder why the elites treat the working-class as just a bunch of dumb exploitable plebs!

[@DraconimLt]

Google ''uk potential flags if scotland left'' m8, it also shows some if Wales got added. There's some ridiculous and wacky ones suggested, but one or two look ok. Though the Blue is surprisingly difficult to replace without it looking unbalanced...

[@geofhughes9359]

Hey Steve. Great channel man. However, could you pronounce Wales like whales and not wells, like the place you draw water from. When are you planning a trip over here?

[@steveg2288]

Hi Steve - one thing it is important to understand is that the union was not formed from countries who ever liked each other but was more a means of trying to stop future conflicts. England was always very exposed to invasion from Europe along the South and East coasts. Having hostile territories to the North and West was therefore a huge risk. The Scots for instance were always in the pay of the French who used the Scots to start trouble in England's north whenever the French wanted to strike England from the South coast. In the end the Scots settled for Union with England because they bankrupted themselves with an ill fated attempt at starting a colony in the Americas. Scotland was transformed after the union and became a great centre for learning, arts and engineering. Some Scots today still romanticise about the old Clan system that used to exist in Scotland - but the truth is that it was a brutal form of feudalism that most lowland Scots were glad to see the back of. Nowadays many Scots want independence and many English want to be rid of the burden of paying for their excessive handouts such as free university tuition. It is curious that Scots, Welsh and Irish can celebrate their identity as much as they want - but whenever anyone in England shows a flag or sings an anthem they are branded as racists. The union achieved a great deal but if those within it want to break it then that is what will happen.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Those are very good points! Definitely a tricky issue.

[@steveg2288]

@@OneTrueScotsman Scotland would not qualify for membership of the EU or the Euro because of its borrowing requirement which is greater even than that of Greece.

[@peterharridge8565]

But surely it was a quirk of fate that put James on the throne. Or several acts of not thinking it though. Seems Henry VIII was right to be worried. Why in Gods name did his sister marry a Scotsman? A serious case of not thinking it through. And again with Elizabeth I. Didn't do her duty. Basically two countries have the same King. It was over in 1603.

[@GillNRTT]

I’m a UK citizen living in Scotland and have done for over 20 years. As I was living in Scotland I got to vote in the independence vote. A Scot living in in England or anywhere else did not get a vote. Feelings were very strong and some people still display the Yes or No signs in windows or even flags.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Yeah, I could definitely see how that would have been upsetting!

[@Mark-Haddow]

Of course they didn't get a vote, they don't live in Scotland. Why do so many struggle to understand independence is self governance, and has nothing to do with heritage or where someone was born. Scots can move elsewhere, this does not make them Scottish. Being Scottish is living in, working in & considering Scotland your home.

[@g-man4297]

As a Scotsman, I have relations who have lived in England for a couple of generations, used to visit when I was younger, but I did vote for independence in 2014, also voted for Brexit, I don't hate the English or Europeans I just believe with the right leadership we would thrive as an independent country, I also believe we should either scrap the monarchy or at least reduce it down to the bare necessities, it is however a very complex issue and would require true vision and leadership which sadly seems to be lacking with this conservative Government that few in Scotland voted for.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Yeah, I could see that

[@Great_Cthulhu]

While I don't disagree with you that with the right leadership you could do it, I do have to ask, do you REALLY believe any of the shower of shambles in politics today are in any way suited for the job?

[@Mr..E]

@@Great_Cthulhu Better than anything from Westminster.

[@carltaylor6452]

I agree, but I don't know why you think Scottish independence is dependent upon a Conservative UK govt. It's largely dependent on the SNP proving its case to the Scottish electorate. If there's any party currently lacking leadership its the SNP! I predict it will all but disappear over the coming decades, unless it can genuinely rediscover its core purpose. The independence movement could be reinvigorated by the growth of parties like Alba.

[@scrappystocks]

I'm Welsh born but live in England. I like to refer to myself as British, because that's what I really am. Realistically Wales could not survive economically if there was a working border and segregation from England. The same goes for Scotland and the EU has intmated that they won't accept an independent Scotland back into the EU unless accompanied by England as the UK. Both Wales and Scotland already have a degree of autonomy but still receive massive financial support from the UK Government. Apart from Londoners and those in the South East of England, a large proportion of the population of England complain about the focus on a City that is so far south and which is arguably out of touch with the remainder of the UK.

[@pieterpopster5549]

Whait what? When has anyone from the EU said Scotland wouldn't be accepted? The only thing I know is that the EU said Scotland would easily and fast be accepted. Even Spain has said the it would be totally different from Catalonia exceeding and it would accept Scotland in a heartbeat.

[@scrappystocks]

OK. Not officially but it has been discussed by the EU. The EU has said that Scotland would not automatically be allowed to join the EU and under article 49 would have to join a queue. In order to prevent problems like there have been in Northern Ireland there would have to be a hard border.. A hard border would not help Scotland, England or the EU. If England rejoined the EU there would not seemingly be that problem and an independent Scotland would almost certainly succeed. Like it or not, back in the EU we would all be governed by their Parliament instead of our own separate home countries.

[@white-dragon4424]

I'm hoping Scotland does join the EU, because that would mean a certain hard border.

[@emmahowells8334]

There are far smaller countries than Wales and they manage quite well I heard. Westminster tells us this so we will be to scared to separate, but it's not necessarily true, as long as have the right party in the Senedd and not the crap labour party.

[@ameliaretter8120]

What the heck is an Edin-berg? No such place. Biggest pet peeve 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@jerbil9353]

It's just how it looks to some people. I've said "Ark-an-sass" before, by mistake. I'm sure that would have Americans rolling their eyes.

[@CiaraNíShúilleabháin1990]

To be fair, the creator of the original video's first language isn't English and the English language is very inconsistent when it comes to pronounciation.

[@WelshAssassino]

The lastest polls around Welsh Independence put the percentage around 30-35%.

[@emmahowells8334]

Great, we need that to increase, the independence movement is growing which I'm happy to hear. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👌

[@katetorode8411]

I like in England have lived in Wales n Scotland, I'm all for Scotlands independence, the main reason being to kick Westminster a bit into respect for anywhere outside London n partly coz they are more similar to Scandinavian country's n island's n would do better n be better taken care of back in EU and with a closer relationship to the island's n mainland northern Europe. Wales n Scotland are treated like crap by Westminster

[@cmcc3721]

What a piss poor excuse for indy anything. SNP is a spent force in Scotland anyway, so it's never going to happen. Yours faithfully..Scotland.

[@cmcc3721]

@@OneTrueScotsman Show me any poll in the past 3 months, post Sturgeons shameful exit and Humza viva Palestine Yousafs entry into the limelight that has them showing comparable support to this time last year and I'll eat my own underwear. SNP are dead in the water in Scotland. Even some of their strongest supporters, a few of which I know personally have turned their back on this party. PS they still want independence, just not with that bunch of cretins in parliament.

[@RollerbazAndCoasterDad]

I'm English by birth but Scottish by citizenship choice. In my 40s and lived here half my adult life. I voted to leave the UK in 2014 and haven't changed my mind to date.

[@kevinsavage808]

good

[@darkstarnh]

Speaking from Wales, we have a large independance movement here. Bring it on!

[@emmahowells8334]

Exactly, well said. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👌

[@darkstarnh]

Annibyniaeth! @@emmahowells8334

[@CiaraNíShúilleabháin1990]

Cymru am byth! Your Celtic cousins here in Ireland will definitely support your freedom. 🇮🇪🤝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@darkstarnh]

Go raiibh maith agat, Diolch yn fawr.

[@Mike-lb1hx]

Most Welsh (and Scottish) nationalists live in a financial fantasy land. England subsidises the other countries which we will no longer do if they go independent. Together with the brain drain I expect living standards to fall 10-20% within 5 years of independence

[@iddjutt]

Did you know that there is one other Country in the UK that was absorbed into England that was Cornwall which ceased to exist in the 9th century AD

[@Mr9ig]

As an Englishman man I couldn’t care less what happens I can’t influence any part of it, if the other parts of the U.K. want independence let them have it. We will all survive albeit some better off than others. Just don’t slam the door on your way out!

[@sndrka12]

I'm Scottish and I'd prefer independence. Scotland has always held the gas production, however, now we hold the most wind energy provision. We can sell our energy to every country but particularly England. We have our own banking system, education system, nation health system, religious system etc. We can survive very well on our own. The Scots have a more favourable PR all over the world than England. Of course the union flag would disappear as it's made up of the St Andrews flag for Scotland blue and white cross, which represents St Andrew being crucified on an x shaped cross. Scotland remaining part of Great Britain is similar to a bad marriage, we are not allowed to leave. We voted to stay in the EU, which is also why the vote No to leave Great Britain was not successful as the UK government told us if we voted no we would stay in the EU. All lies and it has all changed. England's gdp includes Scottish money from fuel etc.

[@YDdraigGoch43]

Scotland and Wales are predominately socialist nations (our Nationalist parties are more to the left than Labour), whereas England is mainly Conservative leaning. This is why I want independence for Wales, i'm fed up of being governed and misrepresented by a right-wing English party who has views diametrically opposed to mine and the vast majority of those that live around me. If we gained our sovereignty, we could have the progressively socialist party that we've be aiming at for over a century. Its not about hating England, its about we Welsh knowing we can take better care of our own interests.

[@emmahowells8334]

In from Wales and agree, wish we could have an independent Wales. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@reactingtomyroots]

I definitely see where you're coming from in regards to wanting to take care of yourselves and your interests!

[@tonygreenfield7820]

You think the conservative party is right wing? 😂😂😂 The present party is only fractionally to the right of labour. I wish they were a genuine centre right party as we probably wouldn't be in the mess we are right now.

[@YDdraigGoch43]

@@tonygreenfield7820 they're far enough to the right to suit me. Anything further to the right is fascism, or at least the road to it.

[@iaindonaldson3316]

The latest census was 2021, much has changed since the 2011 census that is quoted here.

[@cJa6_]

I was born in England, but have lived in Wales all my life pretty much, having moved here when I was three. From what I know the Welsh, especially where I'm from, aren't a big fan of the English. They don't particularly like being a shadow of England, and want more representation and independence, and rightfully so.

[@rogu3rooster]

Moved here at 13 having been London born. I consider myself more Welsh than English at this point and fully understand why Welsh people want to be independent.

[@pauldurkee4764]

They are going to get more representation, in the form of more parasitic assembly members. All measures to increase the burden on taxpayers, but this will be chicken feed compared to making Wales a sanctuary nation. If you're native Welsh,you will be taxed to the eyeballs and be at the back of the queue for everything, and you won't be able to say a word in protest. Anyone who cannot see the disaster coming is a fool.

[@billybatts8283]

It ain't the English reducing all their roads to 20mph.

[@Shoomer88]

Neither did the Welsh.@@billybatts8283

[@emmahowells8334]

As long as the labour or the Tory party aren't in our government having power over us, I'm all for an independent Wales. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Carl_Raybould]

My understanding is that St Patrick cross or saltire is the flag or was the flag of Ireland. Which is why there is a red cross diagonally in the union jack / uk flag.

[@mbuskie-m6p]

The parliment thing means that the other counties of the UK have an input into English matters but the English don't have an input on some of the devolved matters for others

[@mbuskie-m6p]

Not that it matters greatly as English MPS outnumber the others

[@John-k5i1w]

One of the most interesting things about the Scottish vote in 2014 was that the UK told everyone "the only way to guarantee staying in the EU is to stay in the UK" only to then leave the EU. Then there is the case of "the vow" as they titled it that the made to Scotland which was signed by a bunch of the party leaders. Full of promises of good things if we didn't leave. Of course these vows were broken within months lol.

[@Draktand01]

The thing with Enland not having its own devolved government is pretty simple, I said, before writing an entire essay. Esssentially, the UK government simply governs everything instead. Why is this. First off, England’s population is so huge, that it singlehandedly controls parliament. The vadt majority of the UK’s population is English. The other countries have seats of course, which is often times important, as Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish politicans often get the role as tie breaker in parliament. But for the most part, this means that England already has its own government representing its own interests. That is to say the central UK fovernment is in practice an English government with a few seats for the other countries to chime in with. This may seem unfair to England, but the other countries argue that England’s influence is already so large, that they feel like they also need a say in English affairs, simply so that England doesn’t excert their influence on them without consulting them first. Secondly, the UK isn’t a Federation like the US. It is a Unitary State. ”But Draktand-”, you might say, ”-Britain clearly has four countries! How is that any different from the US having States?”. Simply put, it’s a difference of legal category. Since the UK is a messy example, let’s use another country, my homeland Sweden, as an example. Ultimately, all legal authority in Sweden finds it’s source in the central government in Stockholm. Only the central government has any right to change laws. We have Regioner and Kommuner. Regioner, or Regions are pretty self-explanitory, and Kommuner, or Communes, are basically local municipalities, cities, towns, and rural commounities. These local governments do exist, but they only have powers bestowed upon them by the central government. Basically, they only have authority over local issues, such as city planning and management, schools, ect, for the Kommuner, and regional planning, public transit, and healthcare, for the Regioner. But most important, and the part that is most vital for demonstrating why the UK is classified as a unitary state; the central government in Stockholm has the right to redraw regional and municipal borders as it sees fit. Theoretically, the Swedish government can legally abolish all local governments, and take back control over tall of their responsibilities. The Swedish government doesn’t do this, because it would be extremely unpopular, and Swedish voters would theow a fit, but it is technically possible. So how does this apply to the UK? Basically, the local governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland only exist at the besthest of Westminster. They have powers to create laws, and create policy, but ultimately, their authority only legally exists because the central UK government says it does. Theoretically, the Brittish government can revoke the authority of their devolved governments and parliaments. They wouldn’t because it would probably lead to a lot of protests, and even war in Northern Ireland, but they theoretically can. Meanwhile in the US, the responsibilities if the federal government and the states, are divided and enshrined in the constitution. The Feds can create new states from US territories, but it cannot remove or change the borders of any existing state without their consent. The only way to legally change this arrangemnt would be to amend the constitution. This is why England doesn’t have a local English government and parliament. Because having a local government is a privilage, not a right, and is given only to unruly children having a temper tantrum. So everyone else threw temper tantrums until only England was left, lmao.

[@ryanmcgowan21]

Re proportion of Catholics and Protestants in NI: The 2021 Census reported that Catholics now outnumber Protestants in the north (46% to 43% respectively) for the first time since the partition of Ireland. Not a guaranteed passage to Irish reunification, but definitely a major moment given NI was carved out in such a way that the development of a Catholic majority was supposed to be impossible.

[@colinmorrison5119]

Those figures account for people brought up in a religion. The true number of non-religious people is around 20% and growing. I was raised Protestant, am now atheist, and would vote for united Ireland if it had a sensible plan in place.

[@countryview2020]

The only reason why Catholics now outnumber Protestants is the Polish and Lithuanian community and I don't think they would want a United Ireland.

[@rockybateman2904]

Wales have been looking at independence as well ... fiscally, it could work.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@rockybateman2904]

Also, we also have a patrion saints flag. The flag of St David (Dewi Sant in wales) has a black background with a Gold Cross.

[@chucky2316]

I'm a English man and I want independence from London I don't see it as my capital city, holds no interest to me. Im westcountry born and bred, I think many other parts of England think this way

[@ryanhastie232]

100% agree. I'm from Manchester, and London is another world. But before that happened, we would need investments in our ports and other cities so we can still access things easily up north or south west

[@deanmaximus9770]

I know london its the capital but way To much money goes into london, other places get short changed

[@prauvatyok]

Stereotypical ignorant countryman. Let me guess you voted for brexit too? If that happened the rest of the country would pretty much be in extreme poverty.

[@chucky2316]

@ryanhastie232 Ryan tbh I don't know why ports on the west coast aren't utilised we have Plymouth,Bristol for example and further up Portsmouth. The trade we should be doing with Liverpool and Manchester and interlinking North and South. Like you guys up north people in the westcountry are told to just get on with it.perfect example is recent flooding for examples london got help just like that. Nothing for us or Northern England.stay cool 😎

[@ryanhastie232]

@chucky2316 always the way unfortunately 😕

[@raystewart3648]

Local government comprises 32 local authorities (or councils) which provide public services, including education, social care, waste management, libraries and planning. Councils operate independently of central government and are accountable to their electorates for the services they provide. However all budgets are derived from no.10 (central government, i.e., London) plus any National Wide Laws is set out at no.10, which local govs have to follow without questions.

[@uppyraptor49]

The population of scotland receive more money per person than england! That would immediately stop? Scotland would be on their own and their own destiny would be theirs!

[@michael_177]

Im English but after seeing what our government has been doing for the past decade, and in the decades before that from the Tory side especially, I don't blame any constituent country of the UK wanting it's independence. And as for Ireland it's stems from an even deeper struggle for emancipation.

[@faithpearlgenied-a5517]

Same. If I was Scottish or Welsh, I'd want to leave us too. This country is a mess, mostly thanks to the greedy, dishonest, vile, self serving scum we've had in our government for over a decade. We've gone downhill fast. So I don't blame them for wanting to get away, I just wish things were better for all of us as a United Kingdom 🇬🇧

[@parshakamarsh]

Me too, I'm English and I can understand why the other three countries would want to leave, especially given what's been happening for the last 13 years

[@karstenstormiversen4837]

As a Norwegian who has traveld all over UK since the 70s multible times a year,it is not just been happening the last decade! Looking in from the outside this mess started already in the late 70s when Thatcher was elected primeminister!

[@thepickledpixie9052]

​@@karstenstormiversen4837 aye, I grew up in Scotland under Thatcher's government. I never thought I'd see worse than that. How naive I was. Fuck the Tories.

[@gavinhall6040]

Hi Steve this video is a bit out of date, plus he mentioned Gibraltar which voted 98% in favour of being part of the overseas territories. Bizarre bits in this video which is just factually incorrect.

[@davidstretch5614]

Exactly. Take the case of the Isle of Man. This is not part of the UK, and never has been. It has its own parliament, that I think may predate Westminster. It was never a member of the EU, but had a special relationship with it. It issues its own currency, though it is bound to the UK's sterling.

[@vitalspark6288]

@@davidstretch5614 Similarly the video claimed that the Channel Islands would be likely to remain part of England if the UK broke up. But they're also not part of the UK. (The UK government does have the power to pass laws affecting them though.)

[@oufc90]

I’m half English but also have Scottish and Welsh family. Many people have this too. It’d be a shame for Great Britain to separate, as I feel very much British and not just English. I can however understand a united Ireland

[@fyrdman2185]

What about the British people in Northern Ireland who are a significant part of the population there? Where are they supposed to go?

[@stewedfishproductions7959]

My thoughts too! Born in England, my dad was Scottish and many relatives there... My mother's family were all from around Cork/Kinsale and Welsh married into the family. I love all of the UK and would 'hate' to see ANY of the countries splitting away from each other.

[@jonkerr7667]

Scotland never voted to be part of a union it was forced upon the nation , the sooner we regain our independence the better .

[@CiaraNíShúilleabháin1990]

​@@fyrdman2185 If they don't like it, then they can always go back to Britain.

[@countryview2020]

The majority of people in Northern Ireland don't want a United Ireland.

[@timnewman7591]

It's worth noting that Scottish independence would open it's own issues, because for all the idea that "Westminster pays no attention to Scotland, we should have our own government in Edinburgh" is spoken about, there are parts of Scotland - Orkney, Shetland, parts of the Islaes and Highlands - that are just as unhappy with the devolved parliament for governing in the interests of the central belt and lowlands. There's even a party in Orkney that wants reunification with Norway. Scottish independence would probably fuel that, and it'd look very hypocritical to demand an independence referendum for themself and then refure is for parts of the newly independent country.

[@mrwelshmun]

Im all for an independent Wales. Although we'd struggle to begin with, in the long term it will be better for us

[@TheAngryScotsman.]

same for scotland and NI. england is turning to shit and bringing us all down with them

[@paulkitching1623]

Hi Steve, hope you and your family are well. It’s the State opening of Parliament today when the King reads a speech to the Lords and Commons assembled together. Here’s an interesting fact. Charles will take one MP hostage to ensure his safety in Parliament. A tradition that goes back 400 years.

[@reactingtomyroots]

I didn't know that! haha thanks for sharing :)

[@docksider]

for more on Welsh independence google Independence in your pocket, for a booklet on some ideas.

[@chrismackett9044]

Countries come and go. There is an interesting book called ‘Vanished Kingdoms’ by Norman Davies, about countries which no longer exist but which, at the time, would have been presumed to be permanent. The UK has only had its current borders for about 100 years.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Sounds like a great read! I'll have to look that book up.

[@peterharridge8565]

Clarify please, which borders came in 100 years ago. I see the Welsh border as being the same for yonks except that my atlas at school reckoned Monmouthshire was English. Scottish border surely the same for 300 years. What other borders are there, none. I wish people went to school more when they were young.

[@chrismackett9044]

@@peterharridge8565 The Irish Free State seceded from the United Kingdom in 1922, although it did remain a part of the British Empire until 1937.

[@1851johnny]

Hi Steve, thanks for all the uploads, you're doing a great job mate, I've learnt a few things from your video about England that I didn't know and I'm from the UK, could you please turn up the sounds on your TV as it's very low and you are very loud and I'm turning my volume up and down ha.👍🏻

[@reactingtomyroots]

haha I'll see what I can do. :)

[@gallowglass2630]

@@reactingtomyroots NHS is a big issue in northern ireland for people who would otherwise be in favour ,because the republics health system is very different for example we have to pay 50 euros for a GP visit if you don't qualify for our equivalent of medicaid.However thev standard of care is probably the same.I would be in favour of unification as a republic citizen ,but many here don't want to pay the higher taxes that will be needed .Usually 60% are in favour in the republic but that falls to 30% when people are asked whether they are prepared to pay higher taxes.Both votes have to be on the same day and there is no guarantee that it will be carried in the republic it probably will but there will have to some creative horsetrading.

[@billybatts8283]

Had Scotland voted for independence then they would've been out the EU, why does no one talk about that? Why do people think Scotland are special and not subject to the same laws of entry and membership as other nations. Scotland would've needed to apply as an independent nation, after proving they can sustain themselves independently. So, Scotland as an independent nation would be looking at decades before even being considered for the EU, what, you think all the other EU nations will happily risk allowing them entry automatically over others only to have to spend all their money supporting them shoukd the economy die, you know like it is now with the SNP? Get real, it's over. Scotland chose to remain in the UK and the UK chose to leave the EU. It's that simple and it is over. So the argument for a second once in a generation referendum because we left the EU is built on an complete lie. Many people in Scotland voted to leave the EU as a resident of the UK, why should they have their vote ignored? What, should we go best two out of three or just keep going until a few spoiled brats get what they want? It's disgusting as that's all this is...

[@docksider]

Polling suggests that around 30 - 35% of the population of Wales would support independence at the moment. Much higher with younger people. The UK government have said that regardless how the people of Scotland vote, they will not permit another referendum on independence for Scotland. Which begs the question how can the will of the people prevail if the UK government will not let them.

[@g-man4297]

Also begs the question if we Scots are such a burden on the English why would they want us to stay.

[@emmahowells8334]

​@@g-man4297great point, same with Wales and Northern Ireland too, makes you think hey.

[@stephenkelly1887]

Currency is a strange issue. We in Scotland and also in NI have our own banknotes (All pounds sterling) whereas England only print Bank of England notes. I've had a lot of trouble trying to spend Scottish notes in England and Wales. It's all the same currency. The highest value note in England is £50, but £100 in Scotland. The highest value note in the UK is called a Titan. £100,000,000 and are used to lodge funds from Scottish banks with the Bank of England. Imagine buying a Big Mac with a titan and getting your chang in pound coins!

[@monkeymox2544]

I'm half English and half Scottish, so I've always thought of myself as British. I have family across the UK, and regularly travel to all four corners of it. I personally think that our diversity makes us an amazing country, and that the UK is greater than the sum of its parts. I'm convinced that if the UK broke up, we'd all be worse off. Having said all that, I understand why some people want to leave. The Westminster system doesn't work any more (if it ever worked), and despite a minority of people across the ENTIRE UK voting for the Tories (although the largest minority is, admittedly, in England) they keep getting into power. As someone who lives in England, though, calls for independence by the other constituent countries does feel a bit like being abandoned on the battlefield. My instinct is that we should all fight together to make the whole country better. But then again, the Scottish and the Welsh have an opt-out ability that the English don't have, and I don't know if I can blame them if they take it. Personally, I'd like to see a federal arrangement in which the constituent countries _actually_ have equal power. I know this would annoy a lot of people in England, since it would effectively mean the vast majority of the population being potentially vetoed by the minority, but I don't see another way. Perhaps we could keep the commons as it is, on the basis of ~70,000 people per constituency across the UK, and have an upper chamber comprised of an equal number of representatives for each home nation - we could even add a fifth 'nation' comprised of overseas territories and crown dependencies, to make their relationship with the UK more democratic. If each house had equal power to propose, amend and veto legislation, we'd have real representative equality across the UK. And then England should also get its own assembly.

[@monkeymox2544]

@@OneTrueScotsmanIt is one country (made up of smaller countries), as a matter of simple fact - I don't mean to sound rude, but it just is. As someone who grew up with a Scottish dad and an English mum, I'm very aware that there are more similarities than differences. It is the differences that make the UK so wonderfully diverse, and the similarities which make it capable of being one entity. I'd say that the average person from Yorkshire is as culturally different from the average person from London, as they are from the average person from Edinburgh. If Yorkshire and London are nevertheless similar enough to be in one nation, I therefore don't see why Yorkshire and Edinburgh can't be. To the extent that British identity is low in Scotland (that 20% figure is disputable, I've seen much higher ones), this is due to neglect from Westminster and a system which has failed Scotland for several decades. It isn't because there is some inherent opposition between Scottishness and Britishness. It is also worth pointing out that systems can change. A desire to break up the UK seems bit short-term to me. Personally I think that all this nationalism is just another barrier to class solidarity. I also think that if Scotland leaves, they would start to slide towards the right after a few decades. Again, though, I don't blame people for wanting to leave. I'd just rather we worked together to fix the UK. We are a small island, most people living here have family and friends all over the place, we have more in common than not, and it seems that our interests are so bound up that being anything other than a pollical union makes things unnecessarily messy.

[@Bazk01]

Whereas the Tories simply want to remove the other countries parliaments and take back all control for themselves. Labour's plan is more cynical. Give the various regions of England their own "parliaments" and then Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland just become one among the many other regions of England with just as much of a voice. Other shave suggested a variation of the "federal" model but with each region of England given "country" status so they pack the seats and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland go back to square one.

[@Lily_The_Pink972]

The trouble already caused by minorities in Britain is already more than we need without creating another one, thank you very much.

[@monkeymox2544]

@@OneTrueScotsman you're starting to come across as agitated, where I'm trying to be polite and reasonable. I respect your opinion, I just think you are wrong. You don't want to fix 'England's' mess - I would say it is either all of our mess, or Westminster's mess, but fair enough. I think nothing is going to be fixed by breaking it. I thought brexit was a disaster, and the break up of the UK would be even worse. Again, I understand the desire to leave a burning building. I just think it makes more sense to put it out if you can, and I have to admit I slightly resent the idea of being left strapped to a chair whilst my natural allies on the left and centre bugger off.

[@stephwaite]

I'm English, if Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland decided to leave the Union it wouldn't bother me at all, I'd wish them good luck and hope they thrive and prosper.. My one issue would be that there must be hard borders set between the individual countries...

[@kevinsavage808]

Quite right, they cant have their cake and eat it.

[@darkstarnh]

Thanks for your understanding. Here in Wales we had a hard border with England during Covid due to our different health systems. It was an interesting look at what could happen in the future.

[@carolebusby326]

Absolutely right.

[@motokohammond4737]

I'm an SNP supporter. Frankly here in Scotland the independence movement has only grew in strength over the past 20 years and continues to grow now with the SNP holding the vast majority of parliamentary seats in holyrood. Back when the last referendum happened it was a 55% - 45% split showing that there was a very large portion of ro independence scots. Since then the movement has only gained praction and there are protests every month or 2 across the country for independence, so much so that Westminster has had to use every power they have to vito a 2nd coming scottish independence referendum.

[@johnbruce2868]

When the Saxons invaded and occupied England over 4 centuries, commencing from the Roman departure in 450 AD, they displaced and marginalised the Celts, the Welsh, Scots / Picts, Cornish and those Britons who fled by migrating to Brittany in France. The nations which finally evolved in these turbulent times stayed entirely independent until the English conquered Wales in the 15th. century and England was 'united' with Scotland in 1709 due to the mutual interests of the nobility (not the common people) of both nations. So, post-Saxon invasion (the last mass migration influx), mainland Britain was split for over 1,000 years into three warring parts, Wales Scotland and England. Peace has lasted nearly 250 years. The culture wars between them have never stopped and that excludes such parts of the UK with cultural differences of Viking origins. The SNP independence movement has faded. The next split will not be on these lines but according to the fractures and tensions caused by the mass immigration of peoples from around the world, particularly of Asian, African and Islamic descent. They are successfully displacing the white English from their major cities. A settlement of the growing cultural tension is yet to happen. There is no such thing as multiculturalism without conflict. The history of Britain already proves it. What will happen if the UK split? "Interesting times" as the Scots say.

[@IndependentHeathen]

You were doing alright till you exposed yourself as a racist, bigoted English nationalist. I could put a few more words to describe you. But unfortunately KZbin would censor me.

[@Iestynity]

Cymro here. I'm a staunch supporter of Welsh independence to get away from England/Westminster's rule. Ideally we'd look to rejoin the EU as it could be a struggle for us financially. However I think this would allow us to have much greater control over laws & public spending, and I think the people of Wales would do a much better job than the crooks that are currently running the UK. Wales has never voted for the Conservative party since devolution was granted and the creation of the Welsh assembly back in 1998, and yet since we're a part of the UK, we've had the Conservative party govern over us for the past 13 years. You also have all of the history of English kings attacking and invading Wales, stealing the title of 'Prince of Wales', killing off the Welsh language and annexing us into the country of England. So yeah to summarise, I'd love for Welsh independence to become more prominent, ore so if Scotland decide to leave the UK.

[@Sword_Boi]

I voted for Scottish independence in 2014. My opinion hasn't changed.

[@stephenkelly1887]

I'm the same. I know a lot of people that voted no that have changed their minds.

[@roberttewnion1690]

@@stephenkelly1887 I'm one of them.

[@barrypegg3070]

The Scottish Referendum was approved by Parliament and the Government have stated that they were not interested in allowing another one. At the time of the 2014 vote UK was part of EU and one major arguments against Scotland splitting was that it was believed that Scotland would not be able to remain part of EU and have to apply to rejoin. Which is why the Scottish Independence movement was so upset when the UK voted to leave the EU couple of years later. The majority of people in Scotland voted to remain, the problem was majority people in England voted to leave. Splitting up would be a nightmare it terms of who go what. I can see if catholic population continues to grow in NI then eventually they would join with EIRE.

[@tomosprice8136]

I'm Welsh and would absolutely vote for independence if there was ever a vote. I've never felt British, only Welsh

[@deirdreshaw3953]

From the north of Ireland here, northern Ireland will join the Republic technically north of Ireland is still in the EU. I think ni will go first as the majority now want it

[@colinmorrison5119]

We're not in the EU, but are in the Single Market. I think Scotland will go first, NI has a lot of work to do to prepare for unity. Not least given the state of the Assembly.

[@Anthony_15]

There also a small but loud movement of Wales and even smaller movement of England wanting to leaving the UK

[@brianfinlay756]

The Ulster Banner is used to represent Northern Ireland. But terrorist groups also us the same flag. Other terrorist groups also use the Irish flag. Flags are very controversial in Northern Ireland waving the wrong one can get you beaten up or even killed.

[@lisanelson9979]

To complicate matters..... Ulster covers NI and some counties in the Republic.

[@addison_reilly5904]

I think in recent months, this has become much less likely. I can't speak for Northern Ireland as I don't know much about it, but Scotland's independence party has taken a real beating recently. Their very popular leader Nicola Sturgeon resigned a little while ago, and then a few months later the party got embroiled in a scandal about party finances, which is still ongoing and included the arrest of her and her husband. If in the coming general election, they lose a significant percentage of the vote (which looks likely given the scandal in the Scottish National Party and their new leader being less popular, and the recent success of Labour), it will likely dampen the independence movement for many years to come.

[@lordprefab5534]

In your dreams. The NuSnP aren't the independence movement, they morphed into a party of british nationalist devolutionist grifters who betrayed the Scottish people.

[@princessliz6201]

I love being British, but equally love each country individually, each have something to offer. I have a soft spot for Wales, as I remember camping holidays with my family when I was a child, I love Northern Ireland since I married one, and I still haven't been, or to Scotland.

[@StephMcAlea]

Im Welsh and pro-union but we're sick of being screwed over by the Tories in Westminster. Welsh independence is growing as well as Cornish independence. Shetland also has its own indie movement.

[@neilwilliams2409]

I think you should be more worried about the dross in the Senedd .

[@DustyDigits]

I'll keep the Senedd all day over Westminster having total control. Independence would be the best option.

[@vjaska]

I'm English and I'm sick of Tories as well, sick of people continually voting them in 😉

[@101steel4]

Yes because Drakeford has done wonders for Wales 🙄

[@DustyDigits]

@@101steel4 I'm not really a fan but I'll take Drakeford all day over anyone in Westminster

[@lisasallery7860]

I’m British and I gotta admit, I zoned out watching this!

[@reactingtomyroots]

😂

[@tommot9751]

Looking at the map of Scotland is wrong part of Scotland is originally Ireland and Port England marking Scotland smaller

[@beantravelling]

This is extremely unlikely as the financial drop for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland would be huge. Membership of the EU would take at least 14 yrs and the EU has already stated currently Scotland would not be accepted as they don't meet minimum requirements. There would also be issues with their currency and many other areas. Also the political party who have pushed for independence in Scotland are now in disarray and losing seats

[@donnakantaris2287]

The EEA and EFTA would be far quicker to join initially and several European countries manage very well by being members of the EEA and EFTA but not the EU.

[@manymoms920]

Regionalism is a general backlash against the globalisation of last few decades. This is pretty universal

[@Eph.6_10-20]

I voted Yes to an independent Scotland in 2014. I voted to remain in the EU in 2016 (I asked my children what they would like me to vote and why as I was conflicted). Given the choice again I would vote to stay within the U.K. and vote to leave the EU. Politically, there is still a huge divide between both “yes/no leave/remain” in Scotland and U.K. respectively. When I see how woke our Scottish Government is, I am thankful for Westminster (I am saddened to my core to feel like this). The child transitioning laws they tried to pass through our Scottish Government was sickening. I’m thankful to Westminster for squashing it and forcing them to raise the age.

[@NauiByeolEge]

I'm for Scottish Independence. We could rejoin the EU (as Westminster promised we wouldn't leave the EU prior to the Independence referendum in 2014).

[@Jay_Johnson]

The whole UK could re-join the EU. Rejoin EU polling is higher than Scottish independence.

[@Thee_Penguin]

Quite simply, England would remain a superpower and the other 3 would massively struggle economically without us.

[@aa-xg3ct]

England isn't a superpower now

[@Thee_Penguin]

@@OneTrueScotsman they have something to offer 😂

[@Thee_Penguin]

@@OneTrueScotsman Jamaica really?? New Zealand - Canada - Australia took them long enough, India is still a complete mess not for lack of trying bless em, Ireland I'll let you have being on the Atlantic side helps them immensely through trade.

[@Thee_Penguin]

@@OneTrueScotsman Where are you from soft lad? You must be Welsh

[@bullah56]

When it comes to the "Military", I think it would still be a British as opposed to an individual military. He didn't mention how much money per head of population they would have but Scotland has more per head than any of the rest.

[@mbeechey]

@@OneTrueScotsman That's just demonstrably false even going by the SNP government's own figures. Including North Sea oil revenue, the Scottish government spends over £19bn more per year than it brings in through taxes. Whilst it could still run a deficit as an independent country (most do!) a deficit of 9% of GDP as a newly independent country, without their own currency or central bank, and without any foreign currency reserves would be *extremely* hard to pull off. www.gov.scot/publications/government-expenditure-revenue-scotland-2022-23

[@TheHorzabora]

Warning: This gets long, I have opinions. I’ve tried to stay clear of them, but still convey what I’ve learned, and it’s complex and in places quite angry or bitter. I grew up near London (and Portland, Or - but my US credentials are not important here), I have family in West Belfast, I spent most of my teenage years on the English side of the Welsh Border in Shropshire, since then I’ve lived in Wales, the Midlands and come to rest for now in Scotland. I am pro-Scottish and NI Independence, Welsh too if that’s what they really want (it’s more tricky) - but only because I believe this country badly needs a structural overhaul to create more local level government, my ideal would be in a Federal style, possibly then part of an even stronger EU - because I do believe in keeping the ties that bind us, at the right level. But I’m *very* tired of having my politics dictated to me by people who have very little to do with me, particularly since it literally harms me personally. So if straight out ‘goodbye, don’t call us, we’ll call you’ independence is the only option - which it appears to be, at least as a threat to get all the people who blithely think ‘oh, I think a union is best, it won’t come to that’ to listen to the issues of me and the people local to me - or *even* the people non-local to me who share my opinions. I am a Constitutionalist Monarchist, but not in the sense most people mean that - I believe we need to radically alter aspects of our government to include a body or bodies that think long term, not election to election. Be that a chamber of government elected by profession (including unemployed) or simply one that bans party-political membership and campaigns (not that I think that would work so easily) and one aspect I would like to try is a genuine working monarch with training and responsibilities. Yes, I am aware of the many flaws. That’s why I’m a Constitutionalist first - we need a better, written system clearly enumerating our rights and what we collectively believe in as a country first and if we have to be a Republic to get that? Fair price, the current Monarchy lost my vote when the two brothers my age… acted poorly. Splitting the country? You need to understand just how… mistreated Scotland and the Scots - a majority, probably - feel by England, the English and particularly London - and I live in Edinburgh, which is an ‘elevator city’ (a place where wages are higher and the young go to work) compared to anywhere but Glasgow, and they both suck compared to London. The Scottish Parliament was deliberately designed to prevent any single party getting over half the seats, as it was thought that would galvanise independence - and they were right, particularly given Brexit and the incredible damage it’s done to the UK and Scotland in particular, as Scotland is a very different country, not just an extension of England. It’s really hard to explain how torn Scotland is, with roughly 40-45% of people very strongly for Independence, and 40-45% very unconvinced - often including many recent immigrants, among them my friends, who don’t see or buy into some of the history and see a larger government and working together as a country to be more beneficial - and I’ll be the first to admit that the Independence movement is such a broad tent it can’t admit to any plans post Independence, or it’ll fall apart, and that means the economic strategy is… poor, at best. But Scotland votes *very* differently to the UK, much more liberally and much more European (which is no surprise, given it’s historic links to France) - for example - it has not one single MP from the Conservative party and very few MSPs. But we also don’t vote in the same way the ‘Red Wall’ (the deprived urban and post industrial north, mostly) does - even our deprived post-industrial areas tend to be hotbeds of independence voters, if anything, although they’re swinging a bit back to Labour since the SNP went ultra social progressive. But the electoral conversation in the UK is all about the ‘Red Wall’ and ‘True Blue’ Tory voters and how they’ll vote based on the Brexit era swing. It’s the rebound shock from the US/UK ‘hold my beer’ Trump/Brexit competition - and Scottish people often feel very left out of that conversation, because (like it or not) we elected the SNP to a HUGE degree, making them the third largest party - and our *terrible* FPTP electoral system rendered them utterly impotent in Westminster because it’s electoral suicide south or north of the border for any party other than the Greens to agree to ally with the SNP. NI is… a very different and complex situation that has left me with personal scars, and on some level I have very little positive to say about Unionists … or Nationalists, if I’m fair, but it’s more than I can fairly convey. Wales has a much lower key sense of nationalism, that was for a time tempered by the Welsh Assembly, but even then - particularly if you’re aware politically - it can get very old for the Welsh to hear ‘England and Wales’ or ‘rUK’ - because NI and Scotland both have devolved institutions, flawed ones, but we do have them, which has bought off people who - in my blunt opinion - are not particularly politically aware. The regional local government system the Tories and Labour flirt with would give some answer - after all, in all of this I’ve not even spoken about how if you’re born or live north of about Birmingham, you basically feel like you don’t exist when it comes to national news or issues unless someone is going on holiday, or there’s a problem. Sorry, this probably got a little personal… but hey, you want to understand the current state of your roots, right? Here’s an attempt at emotional summary of how Scotland feels, and you can translate that through various other local issues into each regions version - they all have their own rallying call. Scotland was (eventually) united with England for the cost of £1 - the nations (or Parliaments) debts were bought out. That sounds demeaning, right? Realistically it was much more complex than that. But today it sounds and feels very demeaning. Yes, we get more than our ‘fair share’ of tax money, but then again our national waters have all the oil and gas reserves that made the UK great through the 60s-80s. Then add on that most of our most spectacular, popular landscape - we’re a very underpopulated area, much more like the US in places up North - was literally cleared of everyone living there, turfed off their land by landowners who slowly migrated south to Glasgow/Edinburgh, then to London, and now to the Arab states. All for £1. Another way of summing some of the feelings up: Andy Murray (you know him, famous Tennis player) wins, he’s British. When he loses, he’s Scottish. Yeah, it could happen. Edit: I’ve thought a bit. You know that weird sense of unease and electoral discontent that is ravaging US politics with MAGA/Trumpism? The various UK independence movements - including Brexit - are our version of that democratic endangerment (it’s not collapse, not yet) and as we’ve seen, Brexit won based purely on emotional red-white-and-blue bunting-coloured glasses.

[@emmahowells8334]

You're wrong about Welsh nationalism, we are very proud of being Welsh etc, it's our government that we hate. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@g-man4297]

I'm giving myself a pat on the back for reading the longest comment on the thread, well done pal.

[@anneprice6372]

English woman in Wales - would be more than happy for Wales to go it alone as England has gone down the pan

[@chucky2316]

England's fine london is our problem I love my England but hate that so called capital of ours

[@Uk.wildman]

Ad a British citizen I absolutely love your channel brother ❤❤

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thanks! I appreciate that :)

[@glastonbury4304]

There's a movement in most countries in the world especially in Spain and Germany and even in the US its just the UK let people talk about it more!!

[@BusyAndySings]

Im Welsh and I am very pro-independence. "Annibyniaeth" as we say in Welsh (Cymraeg)

[@MadScotsman05]

They also forgot to talk about how most of the uk navy is based in Scotland including all of our Nikes and how important scotlands geography is in terms of the navy and the narrow passage to the north

[@aa-xg3ct]

I prefer Adidas

[@harryishatless]

I would be fascinated to see you reacting to one of the many videos about what would happen if Californian were to leave the USA

[@Adrian_1972]

The Scottish Parliament doesn't have the authority to call a legally binding independence referendum. It requires the UK parliament to issue an order giving the Scottish Parliament the authority to have a referendum. So the UK parliament does have some degree of veto over Scottish independence. The Welsh parliament and Northern Ireland assembly don't have a role in this. In recent years, since the 2014 referendum the Scottish Parliament has asked the UK for this authority and it has been refused by more than 1 prime minister. I think Northern Ireland is different since the Good Friday agreement; the British and Irish governments both acknowledge that if a majority of the people of Northern Ireland want to join Ireland than the UK won't stand in the way of this happening the same agreement saw Ireland amend its constitution to drop its previous claim over sovereignty of the whole island of Ireland. There is an independence movement in Wales but it does not have the same support as in the other 2 countries. Sorry long winded, hope I have been fully accurate but should give you some idea.

[@nikkirazelli3250]

Really detest other countries trying to judge the UK, when most other countries, only have the option of opinions, because of the UK..

[@mbeechey]

Wales is an interesting case. The independence movement there is vocal but frankly very small compared to other regions. In the most recent poll that asked the question, more people in Wales supported the abolition of the Welsh government than supported independence. Lots of the discourse around the UK is because the Conservative government is probably the least popular in a generation. It'll be interesting to see how (or if) this changes once Labour romp to victory across the UK in the election next year.

[@iwanevans5778]

That isn't even remotely true are you actually cracked? Abolish the Welsh assembly quite literally got zero seats in the last election.

[@white-dragon4424]

England doesn't "rule" the UK. Scots like to make out we do, but the UK Parliament is full of MPs from all over the UK, not just England. If anything, Scotland likes to have its cake and eat it by having its own parliament and MPs in the UK parliament making laws for us in England. Look at it this way, the last two Labour Prime Ministers were both Scottish, Gordon Brown and the hated Sir Tony "War Criminal" Blair. What would happen if the so-called "UK" broke up? FREEEEEDOM for England, and hopefully very hard borders between us and the others. We don't need any of them and never will. Far from needing them, they're all nuisances and massive burdens. We should also insist that the Scots buy back their failed banks from the English tax payer, at a premium rate, of course. And just to make things very clear, I voted Brexit BECAUSE Scotland said they wanted to remain in the EU, and would want independence if we left. We in England aren't allowed a direct vote on the UK, so Brexit was it for me. *We don't need that dribble from the North Sea.