Will Brexit lead to the break-up of the union? - BBC Newsnight

Newsnight explores how #Brexit could impact the union between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Subscribe to our channel here: goo.gl/31Q53F
The 2016 EU referendum and the years since have had a profound effect on the nations that make up the UK.
In the final instalment of our State of the Union series, UK correspondent Elizabeth Glinka is in England exploring how Brexit has shaken up ideas of nationhood and identity.
Produced by Mihret Yohannes.
Watch the previous films here: • Brexit: Could Scotland...
Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight
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Facebook: / bbcnewsnight

[@euanwalker922]

"They're only little bits of britain" - People like this are the reason Scotland will become independent

[@landonhowes-titchmarsh770]

Its weird isnt it people say they need england but they dont as they have less people and need less money to sustain themselves, I do though think that we should stay together and give more power to scotland and wales

[@drawde_064]

Euan Walker I agree but they won’t become independent. They’ve already voted against it.

[@euanwalker922]

Drawde_064 The SNP had a mandate in their 2017 election manifesto that stated another referendum could be looked at if any one of conditions was met and one of the conditions was that if Scotland was taken out of the EU against it’s will which is currently happening as we were told in 2014 that a no vote to independence meant staying in the EU and that promise has been broken. I am very much for an independent Scotland as are many people in Scotland due to the car crash that is Westminster and Brexit. Scotland needs to decide its own future not be governed by another power which does not take Scotland into account when decision making. Fingers are crossed!

[@drawde_064]

Euan Walker many people in Scotland won’t vote to leave as far as I can tell

[@euanwalker922]

Drawde_064 the most recent poll that came out last week said the country is split 50-50 on independence, this will either go up in favor or down in favor depending on how bad the brexit process and whether or not boris johnson is the prime minister

[@VideoPaladin]

"They can't go because they wouldn't be able to finance themselves. They're only little bits of Britain." This is the kind of ignorance that we really need to combat. Describing Scotland and Wales as "little bits of Britain" as opposed to the nations that they are, with their own history and culture, really reflects the "little England" attitude you often seen south of the border. It's rather sad, really. I feel more sorry for him that angry. This is also the kind of attitude that fuels the desire for independence from the UK. "If the United Kingdom finishes, the world will be finished in any case." "Who conquered half the world." And this is the other big thing you often see south of the border: This idea that the United Kingdom is still some major world power with an empire that it can utilise. It's pining after what is already lost.

[@cjwcymru]

This 👆

[@danielwatson6529]

so dark isnt it

[@thisfacebelievesyou8862]

Just imagine his face if she’d parroted back his words, with minor edits... “ *The UK* can’t go, they wouldn’t be able to finance themselves. Britain is only little bits of the *EU* ”.

[@johneastwood3039]

Scotland as an independent country would be about as good as their football league.

[@sam.dubya420]

Spot on

[@TheRugFace]

"If the United Kingdom finishes, the world will be finished in any case" - a man who is stuck in an 18th century mindset

[@Nayshjin]

That was the biggest whoop in the video

[@mcz1532]

What a joke .....

[@ballbag9641]

Dan it’s hilarious to me that people still think the UK is an important country.

[@jamescullen6973]

Dan twat

[@TheRugFace]

Sorry, I forgot that the British Empire still spans half the globe, and is technologically and militarily unmatched... wait that's not true anymore

[@jonnywalker5361]

The amount of English that still think that all of Ireland is in the UK is baffling. It’s just Northern Ireland folks and half of them want out of the UK too. I met an Englishman who literally thought I was joking when I said that we had different passports. I have genuine love for the English but the way history and geography are taught needs to be looked at rather than this “we ruled half the world ra! ra! ra!” stuff.

[@adam7802]

I'm pretty sure this is just a very ignorant person you are talking about... unfortunately if anything Brexit has shown just how ignorant alot of the general public are.

[@TheKingkeano]

@J. Harris. and yet you are still a Nationalist knowing your history of murder and that your rulers in buckingham palace have kept you ignorant of it.

[@Jeffcrocodile]

votes to leave the EU, is sad to see a union (UK) break apart.

[@adrianelias2365]

He had hoped that the UK willingly would leave the E.U. He didn't expect that other regions of Britain would want to leave.

[@karlmarx1868]

He expects the whole of the UK to think the same as little England

[@Jeffcrocodile]

@Emir Mohamed Al-Bergha it's not a country, it's a union of countries

[@euanwalker922]

wild one haha Christ can I have some of what you’re drinking please?

[@saminathanr1462]

@@euanwalker922 don't think I sound like racist or traditional I am willing to accept the legal migrants for the rapid expansion of our economy! But not an appeasement of politics! Have you ever wondered why right wing is raising across Europe because the left liberals always supports immigration and appeasement for the sake of their votes!

[@callumclafferty7113]

"Sad to break up a union" - Votes Leave

[@dredits6658]

bucketsandshims The U.K. breakup WONT happen. it’s just empty threats and people only vote SNP to scare the English into giving more To Scotland. If they had the chance for a Indy ref they’ll still stay in the union

[@igorjajic6898]

@@dredits6658 IF YOU GAWE YOURSELF PLEASSERE IN MAKING NAZI PROTECTORATS ON SERBIAN LANDS AND MAKING 2 KALIFATS ON OUR LANDS WE WILL MAKE PLEASSE IN ARMMING NORSK BRETON WELSH IRISH ETC IN BRITAIN,...SO I M AFRAID WHAT EVER YOU DO YOU R DONE,......YOUR 5 MIN OF GLORY PAST,...

[@seaddipper]

@@dredits6658Smith, Regarding the UK Breaking Up. I'm not so sure! The Brexit Referendum vote" Leave" did a lot of damage to our standing in the world and now affecting Our finances. The SNP, DUP voted to Remain as did I. they are looking to the EU. Plaid Cymru. They are even talking about independence. I sincerely hope you are right.

[@kirsteneasdale5707]

Seadipper 21 The DUP did not vote to remain but the North of Ireland did. The DUP are not in charge in N.I. Anyway good luck to N.I. I hope that they will vote for Irish reunification, as we in Scotland, will vote for independence, even with all the propaganda thrown at us by the State broadcaster and the right wing U.K. media. It’s fascinating to watch and see how in the dark, English people are, when it comes to Scotland and our politics. The subsidy myth has been used so much by project fear that people south of the border, actually believe it. If that were true, why are rUK so desperate for us to stay? It’s also very insulting to hear from unionist politicians tell us what we will be “allowed”! The arrogance is astounding.

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

On Dec 13th will see the following : 1.) The Unionist DUP continuing to command more of the popular vote than the separatist Sinn Feinn. 2.) A drop in support for the SNP to levels below that which were present at the point the Scottish people said OUCH NEY to “independence”. Hard cheese, snowflakes.

[@TheLockSmith1800]

"Give Ireland back to the Irish" - Paul McCartney

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

Well, if Paul McCartney says so...

[@marcorodriguez381]

Give back The Beatles to Liverpool!!!

[@itsme-sn5gi]

Most of Ireland is Irish. The North wanted to stay with us!

[@robertomeara3469]

@@itsme-sn5gi No they didnt.Read your history fella.It was a forced deliberate occupation

[@jopmars8168]

@@itsme-sn5gi partition was forced on the Irish people, an artificial majority was installed by bringing Scottish people in and giving them land that was taken from the Irish, the native Irish are now becoming the majority and they will decide the future for Northern Ireland, Scotland hopefully will find the confidence and willpower to become independent in the near future, they will be welcomed into the European Union and the coming European super state, England will never be allowed back in, gammons will be as welcome as lepers were in days of yore.🇪🇺🐷

[@themagictheatre2965]

It was kinda eerie to watch this as a historian, as all these arguments were made about the dissolution of the British Empire. They said small countries like New Zealand wouldn't be able to survive on their own. That was wrong. They said it would be the end of the world. That was wrong. Also these people seem to think that "conquering half the world" is a reason to be proud to be British. That's terrifying.

[@davidrenton]

well if Scotland can exist outside the UK, then why can't the UK exist and succeed outside the EU. It's obvious the UK can exist outside the undemocratic, failing and tired EU. I love Scotland but to think they wouldn't be at the back of the queue when it comes to the EU is laughable. The thing Brexit has exposed is the anti-English Racism, it's shocking and the EU is a disgrace.

[@williampeterson7044]

@Frankly Frank how can you say that the Eu is democratic? An unelected commission holds all the power and can dissolve the european parliament when it wants.

[@drsnova7313]

​@@williampeterson7044 The European Commission is exactly as democratically elected as the British PM. Meaning - not directly, but still elected. How 50% of Brits can't seem to get this simple factoid not through their thick skulls is beyond me. It's a laughable argument from any Brit anyway, with an unelected Queen and an unelected House of Lords. Your unelected queen can *declare war*, for crying out loud!

[@darkhorseman8263]

Britain still controls Australia, Britain, and Africa via Gibraltar and British Virgin Isles. 1 Trillion in Flight Capital stolen from Africa a year, Australia and NZ lose a lot, too. Mainly through mining industry.

[@themagictheatre2965]

@@darkhorseman8263 Britain does not control Australia. For at least the last hundred years or so, Australia has been more politically and culturally tied to the US than to Britain.

[@jackrussell3755]

i will be voting Yes for Scottish independence next year and i expect the majority of my country to do likewise 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@orionise9715]

Ain't gonna go the way you want it to.

[@jpw6893]

@bomber command they can't stay in the EU, they would have to apply to join but as their deficit is about 8 times higher than the rest of the UK it's unlikely they would qualify.

[@danielwatson6529]

Jack Russell please vote labour this time and then scot independence in the next one

[@firepheonix1413]

Daniel Watson, right after getting us into another recession?

[@jpw6893]

@bomber command I was in a round about way adding to your argument. I always laugh when Scots leaving the UK are all proud Scots yet England wanting to leave the EU are all racist little Englanders. They really can't see it can they.

[@rosspatton769]

When these people say "they are small countries, they cant look after themselves " why does the presenter not reply back with the fact that a large number of countries across the world survive with populations of less than a few million. Awful argument and a load of rubbish.

[@geoffpoole483]

New Zealand, Luxembourg, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland. All much smaller than England and all examples used to refute the argument that "small countries can't look after themselves".

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

@@geoffpoole483 singapore added to ireland, luxembourg, and Switzerland only as good examples. The other countries are small only by population. Plenty of land for resources.

[@darlantro]

I believe she was gathering honest opinions on the topic to report on how people feel, rather than debating the merits of their opinions.

[@nestrior7733]

I don't think that was necessary to point out. It should be very clear to everyone in Wales, NI and Scotland that this man at least is looking down upon them. The implication being, by other voices at the same table, that England is the UK and the other nations don't matter.

[@DeadTalent]

We take more in taxes from Scotland than we return and their oil wealth, if they were free to drill to their hearts content they would do better than us for a time. No the oils not running out that's a scare tactic that only seems to surface whenever the Scottish want a referendum for independence.

[@th8257]

It's appalling listening to those people talking about having conquered parts of the world. Absolutely trapped in the past - it's embarrassing. That young footballer got it exactly right about the arrogance of that some of the older generation.

[@everready2903]

@Anglus Patria And now the E.U. conquered you?

[@skymanifest8339]

Another moron swallowing the BBC's pre-scripted narrative of Old (reactionary) verses Young (progressive) nonsense. The woman who produced this is Mihret Yohannes. She's a regular on social media, and she's always looking for people who have 'experienced' what she has written. She's not an investigating journalist, she's a scriptwriter.

[@everready2903]

@Anglus Patria Loool we ain't leaving. I said in 2016 AFTER the referendum. I said it when May was spouting Brexit means Brexit. I said it when Boris was spouting Do or Die! And I'm saying it now ahead of our 3rd extension on Jan 31st. We.......ain't.......Leaving!!!!

[@everready2903]

@Anglus Patria In a speech in Bruges, Belgium Mr Tusk said he wanted to "tell you something I wouldn't have dared to say a few months ago, as I could be fired for being too frank. I have heard repeatedly from Brexiteers that they wanted to leave the European Union to make the United Kingdom global again, believing that only alone, it can truly be great. You could hear in these voices a longing for the empire. But the reality is exactly the opposite. Only as part of a united Europe can the UK play a global role, only together can we confront, without any complexes, the greatest powers of this world. In fact, I can say the same about Germany or France. And the world knows it. I have heard the same in India, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and South Africa; that after its departure, the UK will become an outsider, a second-rate player, while the main battlefield will be occupied by China, the United States and the European Union. Why are they doing this? - I was asked this regretful question everywhere I went. One of my English friends is probably right when he says with melancholy that Brexit is the real end of the British Empire."

[@everready2903]

@Anglus Patria Lmaooooo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Switzerland have free movement and are you saying our economy is the same as Norway's? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦‍♂️

[@malc70000]

The first footballer was spot on, the majority of old people are letting the young down. I am a pensioner and no way should we be leaving Europe. Racism has increased since the stupid referendum.

[@beanhole123]

The old is letting the young down. And then you mention you're old. Are you letting them down? That stupid comment just generalised old people and young people Also how has brexit increased racism? Brexit was done to stop uncontrolled migration from eu member states and majority of them are white dominated Since brexit more ethnic diverse people have been allowed to enter from all over the world for example alot of Indian doctors were allowed to come into the UK

[@malc70000]

I haven’t got time to write an essay , yes I am old I will edit it to say majority. Yes racism has increased, look at the facts.

[@malc70000]

Lots of doctors were born here .

[@Nibblesnow]

@@beanhole123 "for example alot of Indian doctors were allowed to come into the UK" Are they not people you want? Let's take back control and fund our NHS but kick out a lot of NHS workers too; you'd be left with nothing -- not to mention the NHS is understaffed as it is.

[@beanhole123]

@@Nibblesnow what are you talking about? Since brexit alot of people have immigrated from none eu countries for example as I mentioned more Indian doctors. We want them India isn't apart of the eu I'm baffled for what you didn't understand If we are in eu we don't have a say on who stays in the uk from eu countries meanwhile if there is no freedom of movement we can have controlled immigration and have people who will contribute to our society

[@jamessmeyer]

It’s kinda insane how much brexit is reducing the United Kingdom in size and importance. Just something to think about

[@linearstudio1236]

size wont change, people seem completely ignorant to the fact that Wales voted leave and fiscal conservatives (theres a lot in Scotland) dont want to leave the UK. As for importance, the UK is now more important than when it was just paying into the EU scheme. Check Putins comments on how he views the Uk and how he views the EU if youre confused. The Tories are doing their level best to try to help the Eu and make the Brexit look like a bad move, they just cant manage to do it, regardless of all the lies in the press.

[@jonathanwhite460]

shocking the mis-education of some of the older generation,the young footballer however had clearly given the issue some objective consideration.

[@jonathanwhite460]

@andrew chambers i am the older generation,its just good old fashioned ignorance.

[@jonathanwhite460]

@andrew chambers only one had an opinion

[@ChairmanRingo]

@andrew chambers at least we don't know nothing about how to use a keyboard :)

[@ruairievans]

Lots of young people in the last refurendum couldn't get off their arses to vote! If they did, Remain would have won, the young people should be blaming those who did not vote!

[@adam7802]

​@andrew chambers We all have different views, if you can't justify your own you aren't going to convince anyone of anything. You to me sound very much like everyone during the Brexit referandum who shut me down for not being a leaver - because I was questioning leave, rather than explain their reasons or provide reasonable responses, I was subjected to crap like "you're too young to understand" every time. Remainers explained their reasons, as a result I voted remain. No leaver gave me any reason to seriously consider their views that was for sure... all buzz words and hyperbole.

[@RonanThomas]

Notice how everyone’s saying Ireland and not Northern Ireland. The English don’t care about Northern Ireland whatsoever, look forward to the day of an independent Scotland and one Ireland

[@hape3862]

English: "Let's brexit from the EU, then it will fall apart in a Domino effect. What could possibly go wrong?" *United Kingdom falls apart. EU stands more united than ever.* English: "Oh, that escalated quickly."

[@AICabal]

The EU, united? Good one.

[@debbiedion5731]

Eu r united 🤣😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AICabal]

@@debbiedion5731 How? Tell me.

[@JohnRhoooodes]

"Eu stands more united than ever." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@debbiedion5731]

@@AICabal its british sarcasm of course they are NOT united 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@Dabhach1]

The same thing over and over and over again: "we English would be fine, but you Scots/Irish/Welsh could never manage". Do you people have no idea how much debt you're in?

[@harrym7544]

@Danny Lynch It's also one of the PIIGS states, so no thank you there isn't too much appealing about Ireland's economic position.

[@villj001]

Danny Lynch I’m British and agree with everything being said here

[@Dabhach1]

@andrew chambers England DOES have it's own parliament - it's called "Westminster". Seriously, though, England COULD have a PROPER parliament, but are you prepared for it to be only one voice in four? If, say, the UK became a federal state, would you be happy with the English parliament sometimes being overruled by the other three?

[@stuartnicklin650]

If the UK is in that debt then so is Scotland doh

[@ianmc7053]

@@stuartnicklin650 Scotland isn't allowed to borrow, it's a reserved matter. It is literally illegal for Scotland to accrue debt.

[@Desert-Father]

When the Celts vote for independence, they'll get their "English votes for English laws."

[@rrushford5123]

Talk about ignorant and arrogant?? lol YES it's time to #DISSOLVETHEUNION

[@mps2112]

Why? What benefits will it have, it's important to squash English nationalism but I don't see that dissolving the United Kingdom would solve the problem. There's this notion that separatism of states is good and that we should all follow the way of Yugoslavia. Realistically, you won't see a big difference if you union split up but it would be quite sad. Can we all just not get along?

[@lmao.3661]

R Rushford I want independence, I don’t want to change who holds the leash.

[@mps2112]

@@lmao.3661 I agree with you there separatists want to gain autonomy just to give it up again 😂😂

[@mps2112]

@@rrushford5123 lol calm down mate, I mean doesn't mean we're being isolationist, leaving the EU doesn't mean you're isolationist.

[@mps2112]

@@rrushford5123 damn man calm ya tits haha. Didn't say Scotland was isolationist just said the UK isn't really isolationist just for not wanting to sacrifice it's autonomy to a regime which is monopolized my the French and the Germans. I feel that you think that just because people voted to leave that they're ideologically aligned with the United States and Trump. This isn't the case. I didn't say the empire wasn't dead either it's been finished for a quarter century now. I wouldn't say the commonwealth is dead but I'd argue that potentially having brexit would allow for us to strengthen our relations with the commonwealth. Try and be a bit more optimistic. China is the real threat anyway.

[@socialistsolidarity]

Someone is having an identity crisis. Britain reminds me of that one kid in school who would throw a tantrum because no one would play with him. I guess it must be very difficult to comprehend the notion of being this tiny island again when you once had this brutal empire across all the continents of the Earth.

[@shibuya3185]

Mau : You sound like you need that chip on your shoulder attended to. Britain is highly respected worldwide.

[@socialistsolidarity]

@teledine I think you need to look up some facts. Whilst Britain's economy was booming during the peak of the Empire trust me the citizens of its colonies weren't seating in their backyards sipping on gin and tonic.

[@ruairievans]

What does problems in the UK got to do with you?

[@robotjin]

@pammens miss An astonishing display of historical and racist ignorance about how the Empire was carved out, completely ignores the reality of British gunboat diplomacy, just read up on the Opium Wars maybe you'll understand why the Chinese don't share your viewpoint. Your entire comment is full of racist tropes, do yourself a favour read a history book or two.

[@dashdashdash_]

@@robotjin the name gave me a chuckle

[@marktw9882]

"They can't go because they wouldn't be able to finance themselves. They're only little bits of Britain, so how can they go?" Meanwhile, most of Ireland has enjoyed independence from Britain for almost 100 years...

[@AHK786PK]

This is a English Brexit not Irish or Scottish

[@forza223bowe5]

Uk Brexit

[@LolLol-ch7sl]

@bucketsandshims enjoy the eu army and jihad being a way of life.

[@seaddipper]

Remember The Welsh voted to leave also (854,572 (52.5%) voters in Wales chose to leave the EU, compared with 772,347 (47.5%) supporting Remain) English Referendum results. 17,410,742 votes to leave and 16,141,241 to remain. I believe a number of the Leavers in all States, didn't realise what they voted for. I didn't that's why I voted to Remain. Now I believe I did the right thing. ( Vote To Remain) That is.

[@Zac2Hartsie]

@bucketsandshims AMERICAN NUKES , NOT ENGLISH , THEY TUBES JUST RENT THEM!!

[@frantreml7795]

It’s not just people of colour who are seen as ‘not British’ ‘not English’ I have faced abuse online because I am a Brit abroad (live near Gibraltar in Spain) and apparently that makes me a ‘traitor’ WTF!!

[@francoisdaureville323]

because teqnically people of color isnt english or european just like white people isnt japanese its controversial to say this in modern britain because "reasons" but its the true they can have british passport obviusly and say they are british citizens, but english scottish irish welsh arent passports those are actual heritages origins and history as a french person i would never claim to be native american or indian of Any tribes of origins

[@felixjconvery]

@@francoisdaureville323 mate we've been moving around the globe settling ourselves in different boroughs of the world since we could. The idea of nationality being intertwined with race is a very narrow view to have, if a black person was born in Ireland he's Irish, if a Celt is born in Japan he's Japanese.

[@francoisdaureville323]

@@felixjconvery so you a White Person can become maori or native american??? Or persian or swahili??? 😂😂, you know Just some woke western european countries has this mentality right eastern europeans and the rest of the world not really and most of the woke leftist would call out you for "cultural appropiation" 😂😂

[@MontyCantsin5]

2:24: 'Who conquered half the world?' They say that like it's a good thing. And all this nonsense about being 'proud' simply to have been born in a particular country has to stop. I hate to admit it, but the Reverend actually spoke a lot of sense... It seems that England is becoming increasingly myopic.

[@MontyCantsin5]

@J. Harris.: My first point related to Britain's place in the world from a historical perspective. Those interviewed in this video seemed to be viewing the past through rose-tinted glasses. Working cooperatively with other nations and being part of the EU trading block is not the same as brutally conquering other countries, as the UK did historically (empire building, colonialism, etc).

[@thornbird6768]

Monty Cantsin You should absolutely be proud to be born in your country ! Where’s your patriotism ??

[@FOLIPE]

They conquered it and then lost it.

[@MontyCantsin5]

@@thornbird6768: Why? Give me a good reason to be proud of something over which I had no say in whatsoever. I'm proud of my achievements, not belonging to some abstract notion of a nation state. What is that great line uttered by Samuel Johnson about the idea of 'self-professed patriots'? "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." That just about sums it up.

[@MontyCantsin5]

@Anglus Patria: I'm not really sure what your argument is. Taking control by any means necessary is what large and powerful countries do, therefore it's a great thing and people should support it? If that's the source of your so-called 'pride' then you're welcome to it.

[@whatevermate74]

Time to take back control. Believe in Scotland. Leave.

[@bigboss337]

Freedom for Scotland, freedom for Wales and freedom for Northern Ireland!

[@jsworpin]

bomber command as does the U.K. as part of the EU. We will be no more free after Brexit

[@m_wxm7950]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@m_wxm7950]

bomber command nah leave the queen alone, u bum her off 😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@m_wxm7950]

bomber command mate stfu why u talking about the welsh

[@m_wxm7950]

bomber command ur still going on? Get a life mate

[@AlexBaldwinFTW]

Boy in the orange jersey is a hero, good on him.

[@chillaxo9863]

You are right It's the fools in the comments disagree unfortunately

[@michaeloconnor9809]

Well done him

[@riceire2445]

Northern Ireland has a place to go, we'd welcome yous with open arms

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

Northern Ireland has a place to go. It’s called Northern Ireland.

[@cakebaker6071]

@@thegrandmuftiofwakanda NI belong to Ireland, wish them best of luck , send English where sun dont shine that is England

[@tonydecastro6340]

middle England reminds me so much of middle U S America... parochial, insular, and rather color blind...

[@StephenJPayne]

After 27 years .... I just left America. It's doomed.

[@StephenJPayne]

@Dashing Dave ...... fully agree. I won't be here long. It's a mess.

[@jamescullen6973]

Tony de Castro victim

[@PhilR.]

Lots of talk about England being the big fish of the pond of the UK. Cant they see that they are on course to being the small fish in Europe’s shadow?

[@xLiaam3105]

England needs to free itself from the Union

[@NyalBurns]

bucketsandshims They wanted to stay in. And I will not apologise for something I haven’t done.

[@NyalBurns]

bucketsandshims bucketsandshims All I can see from the American Congress opposing a deal with the UK is all negative. The UK imports a lot of goods and if we don’t get a deal with the EU or the US we will just go to there rivals (China). Al just because of resentment of the past. The bad things that has happened in Ireland over the years has been awful but apologising won’t do anything but course discontent to the government that apologises and most of the Irish will just go on hating the British. So apologising won’t change a thing.

[@oliveroconnor5983]

bucketsandshims ok but fucking Cromwell? Why do you Irish try so desperately hard to win the oppression Olympics.

[@ONeill01]

@@oliveroconnor5983 Oliver Cromwell, a genocidal maniac, is celebrated in England, UK propganda treats him as a hero to this day

[@revinhatol]

@@ONeill01 CHARLES II

[@diggyd]

Haha, middle England. "we voted to chew our foot off and that's what we are bloody well going to do"

[@AA-pk6fo]

Smug left wing liberal spitting on pleb from high horse on his way to cry him self to sleep over lack or meaning in life

[@hjyigo4759]

@andrew chambers He just wants his chance to be sneering. Lefties tend to be like that.

[@orionise9715]

Get a reality check buddy. Things aren't so black and white. You'd do more damage to Scotland than England.

[@irishhighbee3709]

The casual conflation of Ireland and Northern Ireland indicates poor education.

[@hurri7720]

When you think of it the English have been kicked out, in a more or less friendly way, where ever the planted their flag, why should that suddenly stop now. That "end of the world" mentality might explain why people eventually have enough of the English exceptionalism, especially now when they have gone bonkers and suicidal all by themselves. But as I hope, not among the younger generation so much. Seriously look and listen to guys like Mogg, Boris and Davis and the whole lot of them.

[@NyalBurns]

The English have gone bonkers and suicidal? What are you talking about.

[@NyalBurns]

Anthony Burke are they

[@stanthedonkey]

Nyal Burns I’m not sure that I can take seriously the comments of someone who puts a question mark where there is no question, and leaves the end of a question without one. To be honest, I sense a low level of education and reasonably conclude an associated lack of any real ability to do analysis. Where this is the case, right wing “solutions “ can be presented, and accepted, as simple answers to complex questions. The only remaining question is .... should I end this question with a question mark?

[@NyalBurns]

stanthedonkey you dick 😂😂?

[@ChairmanRingo]

Well to be fair, you seem like a native English speaker so let's be very clear. The Irish, Scottish and Welsh played a MASSIVE role in winning and maintaining the empire, and they all got 'kicked out'. It's fashionable nowadays to pretend that's not true but unfortunately it really is.

[@niconesta8566]

The English are all about sovereignity so let's be real about that, and break up this oppressive union.

[@hjyigo4759]

What's oppressive about it? Are you serious?

[@sausagejockyGaming]

Hj Yigo these scottish morons and people claiming england shackles them dont seem to know how democracy works ofc england wins most votes because we outpopulate you about 6-1

[@lucius1976]

Yes, the referendum - you went to bed as Great Britain and woke up as Little Britain.

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

But yet remain the 2nd largest of 28 EU economies.

[@ShaneDGri]

@@thegrandmuftiofwakanda 3rd largest The French Economy is larger thzn the UKs by all commonly used metrics. You see since 2015 the UK economy has lost about $300Billion in size and the French Economy has grown by about $400Billion. I cant think of any reason why the UK economy hasn't performed as well as its surrounding EU counterparts.

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

Nominal GDP 2019 : UK : $2.743 TN France : $2.707 TN Source : International Monetary Fund UK : $2.825 TN France : $2.777 TN Source : World Bank UK : $2.631 TN France : $2.582 TN Source : World Bank GDP (PPP) 2019 : UK : $3.131 TN France : $3.061 TN Source : International Monetary Fund UK : $2.892 TN France : $2.871 TN Source : World Bank UK : $2.880 TN France : $2.826 TN Source : CIA World Facebook Quod Erat Demonstrandum www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2019/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=73&pr.y=8&sy=2019&ey=2019&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=001&s=NGDPD&grp=1&a=1 www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2019/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=38&pr.y=13&sy=2019&ey=2019&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C668%2C914%2C672%2C612%2C946%2C614%2C137%2C311%2C546%2C213%2C674%2C911%2C676%2C314%2C548%2C193%2C556%2C122%2C678%2C912%2C181%2C313%2C867%2C419%2C682%2C513%2C684%2C316%2C273%2C913%2C868%2C124%2C921%2C339%2C948%2C638%2C943%2C514%2C686%2C218%2C688%2C963%2C518%2C616%2C728%2C223%2C836%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C624%2C692%2C522%2C694%2C622%2C962%2C156%2C142%2C626%2C449%2C628%2C564%2C228%2C565%2C924%2C283%2C233%2C853%2C632%2C288%2C636%2C293%2C634%2C566%2C238%2C964%2C662%2C182%2C960%2C359%2C423%2C453%2C935%2C968%2C128%2C922%2C611%2C714%2C321%2C862%2C243%2C135%2C248%2C716%2C469%2C456%2C253%2C722%2C642%2C942%2C643%2C718%2C939%2C724%2C734%2C576%2C644%2C936%2C819%2C961%2C172%2C813%2C132%2C726%2C646%2C199%2C648%2C733%2C915%2C184%2C134%2C524%2C652%2C361%2C174%2C362%2C328%2C364%2C258%2C732%2C656%2C366%2C654%2C144%2C336%2C146%2C263%2C463%2C268%2C528%2C532%2C923%2C944%2C738%2C176%2C578%2C534%2C537%2C536%2C742%2C429%2C866%2C433%2C369%2C178%2C744%2C436%2C186%2C136%2C925%2C343%2C869%2C158%2C746%2C439%2C926%2C916%2C466%2C664%2C112%2C826%2C111%2C542%2C298%2C967%2C927%2C443%2C846%2C917%2C299%2C544%2C582%2C941%2C474%2C446%2C754%2C666%2C698&s=PPPGDP&grp=0&a=

[@euanwalker922]

Billie Piper’s Teeth give me the updated numbers after a no deal brexit and the coronavirus damage to the economy please 😂

[@lilbrit1019]

@@ShaneDGri the uk is now the 5th strongest economy now just shhhhhh

[@LadyViscera]

Can all the counties just secede and become independent countries? I feel like they’d actually be run well like that.

[@Draber2b]

Wales, North Ireland and Scotland do all want to belong to the union. I think they could unite into Britain. England would leave. If they want to leave the EU, they can deal with a lack of EU membership on their own. *I'm not British. I just think that's fair for the 3 other nations.

[@LadyViscera]

Basically my point is that generally it’s the smaller countries that function well.

[@kingofracism]

This must to be the agenda after Brexit.. the nations of Britain have been bound together for far too long and frankly, relations have turned sour. I wish for an independent England, and hope the other 3 nations get their own wishes too.

[@anglebars6084]

@@kingofracism agree with this, I feel a sensible dissolution of the UK into its own nations completely on good terms would be the best possible outcome. How long will it just be wool over eyes stuff from Westminster until something big happens.

[@Zaarin2007]

Bless - the older white middle england man thinking everyone is treated equally

[@seaddipper]

Not all!!

[@itsme-sn5gi]

Financially Scotland, Wales and northern Ireland would be fine without England

[@sausagejockyGaming]

Patrick no they wouldnt????? They are literal defecit nations but i highly doubt you know what that means, you will be saying bye to free healthcare and free education, just search up a few things 1. Whats a defecit nation 2. Are scotland wales a n ireland defecit nations.

[@gringadoor5385]

@@sausagejockyGaming Scotland has the best NHS out of the whole UK you brainwashed fool. It will be such a celebration to be rid of people like you and leave you to your "little England". How the mighty have fallen.

[@sausagejockyGaming]

Gringadoor lol YOU DONT EVEN PAY FOR IT YOU DECECIT NATION, poor fucker

[@ARcreationsTV]

Even as someone from England, I don’t blame either wales or Scotland for wanting their independence. Looking forward to a united ireland after all the atrocities we committed there 🇮🇪

[@hjyigo4759]

So let's just forget about the majority in Northern Ireland that want to stay in the UK shall we. Course they are the wrong type of Irish aren't they.

[@maxmullen6337]

Adam Roberts. You mean the IRA were English??

[@barbaraclark1687]

An educated, enlightened English man, well said.

[@maxmullen6337]

Barbara Clark. The most evil force in Ireland was the Catholic Church. Even in modern times it was/is evil. And it’s not just the English who can do bad things. In 1641 Irish Catholics slaughtered thousands of Protestants. The even cut the babies from out of their mothers’ stomachs. It was the Church that made relations so difficult. My father was Irish and he hated the Catholic clergy with a vengeance. I should have asked him why, but I didn’t. He wouldn’t set foot in a Catholic Church, not even for weddings and funerals. And he was most appreciative of the English when he came here just before the Great Depression (the worst in modern history). Though an immigrant from a hostile country, soon after Ireland’s independence, he was well treated and helped to find a job. And the Scots and the Welsh complain because that’s human nature. No one likes the boss. And England was very much bigger and the boss. I remember the war. And I remember how much the British resented the Americans. After the war was won everywhere you went there were big posters. GO HOME YANKS they said. Do you know why? We resented the Americans because they saved us in the war. Yes. That was the reason. And it’s the same sort of reason with the Scots and the Welsh. They needed us. Now it’s a bit different with industry all but gone but the resentment is the same. England has more votes. Ireland is more complicated of course, but it would have been different if not for the Catholic Church. The Church that frightened the British when they burned people alive for saying the earth orbits the sun, for instance.

[@raquellita7222]

Funny thing is most people here in Ireland think that England is making a big mistake and not thinking things through. Generally we have a good view of England and as we are doing quite well now don't really think about the past much. However I think the past is very important in England and nostalgia/ traditional views and that could be how they got into this situation in the first place. (I am half English myself so not saying that to be bad in any way)

[@Richard_is_cool]

1:44 "It's their choice, but I do think it's sad, that they are breaking from the union." Oh, the irony. The deep deep irony. Woohoo.

[@igypop.]

the fucking arrogance of this buch of colonial dinosaurs

[@thomashunter3733]

The union is dead and it will never be any different. #DissolveTheUnion #BBCswitchoff

[@ctw00004]

Bbc switch off? Just because they dont follow the SNP mandate at ALL times, you want rid of them? Replace them with a pro snp network maybe? Dry your tears and get a grip.

[@18pablo88]

If I was Scottish, I'd want independence. That's from a English man on newsnight

[@andrewjones-productions]

It's perfectly clear that the term 'British' is an empty one designed and devised by the English to try and create some cohesion in their little mini Empire. It could have worked if it had of been fair and the last chance for it to have worked was as accusing the EU of all its undemocratic faults, that the same pro-Brexit campaigners acknowledged and promised a full reform of the UK to make this union not only a better one but a role model for the EU and others. Of course, they had no interest in that. It was always about England not liking the stronger voices that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had in the EU and that is what they meant by 'taking back control'. Sorry England, you are a great country (or could be if you got off your contemporary lazy arses) but we no longer want to remain with you. As for financing ourselves? Well this was always a myth and you will find, that we will do perfectly well by ourselves. Goodbye and good riddance. #YesCymru #indyWales

[@Problembeing]

Actually, the ‘British’ are the Welsh.

[@Problembeing]

Anthony Burke wrong. The Brittons were the original celts of Wales, Cornwall, Cumbria, York, and Strathclyde before the Germanic Anglo-Saxon’s arrived. So, if you want to blame anyone, blame Germany, the ones you want to run into the arms of :P

[@Problembeing]

bucketsandshims just what the EU wants, to balkanise the UK and weaken the individual states and treat you like Greece. You’re absolutely barking if you think that’s not the logical conclusion. It’s just drawing on ancient feuds and stirring up the old tribal wounds. No one denies the horrendous past, but don’t forget in the the recent past with Scotland and the creation of Edinburgh during the height of the UK when it was actually faring BETTER than the English economy. I think it is a mistake in the current political situation to seek ‘independence’ and simply fall prey to the a much larger dog just because it bribes you. The EU took all your fish and sell it back to you and you’re begging them for more of that. To wilfully sacrifice your sovereignty of the central German banks for a quick buck and scraps off the table. You’ll be used to punish England with no doubt a ton of cash and you’ll no doubt back in all the attention, but once you’ve served the EU’s purpose, you’ll be discarded like an old rag where they’ll crash your economy as you join the euro and you’ll end up like Greece. Sometimes it’s better the devil you know. I’m not crowing for England here, I’m all for independence for whoever wants it, but what you’re looking for isn’t independence at all.

[@Problembeing]

Anthony Burke as for the Welsh and Scottish having ‘no identity’ because of Britain is remarkably a weak statement. The Scots and the Welsh are FIERCELY proud and their identity is insoluble. The English are denied having an identity as it’s deemed ‘racist’. I have nothing but love for Scotland, Ireland and Wales and I think we work better together than digging up old wounds. We share a vast history for ill and for well. This is a modern age and a global economy would make Britain of Scotland, N.Ireland, Wales and England an even bigger billboard for ALL our nations. I Have no doubt that independently we all have something to offer, and like I said, independence for our nations are valid for many reasons; the EU is NOT the answer.

[@Problembeing]

bucketsandshims what happened to Ireland was a disgrace. It’s a terrible history that has rippled through time. We now have a situation where many want to leave the UK and many want to stay, just like the EU. It’s a crisis. But we don’t have to be locked in perpetual hate forever. We can’t change history but we can change the future. The EU is the past. Our historical grievances are the past. Amends would be better made together than by competing with each other and creating new wounds. By all means, Irish reunification SHOULD be on the table, as should independence for whoever else, but now is the worst time. The EU will absorb you and your ‘identity’ will disappear as it grows ever more federal and all the money stops trickling in. The EU would love to balkanise the UK. You’re just sleepwalking towards the NWO.

[@stanthedonkey]

I have listened and I have read the comments. I feel there is a right wing undercurrent and that is getting stronger as the emotional reasons for leaving the EU are recognised as being the only reasons for leaving the EU. Simple, right wing, emotional arguments prevail when rational foundations crumble, and facts become alternative realities. Do these people not see that the arguments they are sharing are the ones they were fighting against in the Second World War, which apparently only ended last year? History is repeating itself, make no mistake.

[@stanthedonkey]

@andrew chambers I have no clue what you just said.

[@stanthedonkey]

@J. Harris. Agreed that hitler had a somewhat irrational desire to take over the world, but he could not do it by himself. The German people were struggling and in those circumstances, there are well established techniques that can be employed to manipulate the population ... you need to look at how Hitler garnered the support of the German people, and then map that to the UK now. It ain't that disimilar, though I suspect that you would prefer to believe otherwise. Also, have you not heard the members of the leave camp talking about how it would be a good idea for the UK to re-occupy India? ... and finally, what were Churchill's views on a unified Europe? I think sometimes there are those amongst us who choose to forget that one.

[@danielwatson6529]

J. Harris. sorry mate i think your wrong. this ideology brewed for sometime before hitler took it further. the right wing undercurrent is there, for those of us that can see it is scary as hell. its a well known clique that history repeats, and Nationalism is a brewing once more

[@JoshabiYT]

@@stanthedonkey I love it when people take a small section of a group and peg the entire group as believing it or pursuing it. I want leave because i am english. I want the uk to be governed by. You guessed it. The uk. A united states of europe is a terrible fucking idea. Why cant we govern and run ourselves? I dont want to fucking re colonise parts of the world or shit. Seriously can people not make proper logical analysis nowadays without taking 1 extreme and pegging the entire group under it just because its easy and requires no thinking...

[@stanthedonkey]

Joshabi Which small section of the group are you referring to? I have been listening, reading and watching for the last three or four years and don’t believe that I am referencing a minority group. You want to leave because you are english [sic] and then make some nonsensical comment about wanting to be governed by the UK, but the first paragraph of the withdrawal agreement bill thing makes the point about us being sovereign, so what’s that all about? We do govern and we do run ourselves, if that wasn’t so, then the laws across Europe would be the same, and they aren’t even the same across the countries that make up the UK. How about you make some proper logical analysis rather than regurgitate the right wing lies you have accepted as truths over the last thirty years? Sorry my friend but you have said absolutely nothing to support your claim that somehow you are not part of that small unrepresentative group,.

[@daragholoughlin4965]

God why do English people don't understand the difference between Ireland and n Ireland

[@pickledaardvark1532]

If it happens it won't be exactly because Brexit has led to it, but because Brexit caused us to realise how split we actually are with regard to our opinions of what the future should be. Whether it's the UK in the EU, Scotland and Wales in the Union, or the reunification of Ireland, there are too many dissenters to the current situation to move on with things as they are. Whatever the future holds, each of the countries will discover that the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side of the fence, but at least each will be responsible for cutting it.

[@xtraspecialmango]

I Love England & the English...I just want Scotland to be Independent. I personally think us all being Independent nations would bring us closer together.

[@dorbid]

MintSauce ! Absolute madness

[@xtraspecialmango]

@teledine Similar to the dictator like Westminster you mean?

[@hjyigo4759]

Someone on here who actually likes the English? Mintsauce you are a rare gem!

[@xtraspecialmango]

@@hjyigo4759 Its the ruling classes i ain't got no time for...You know...Those born to lead types.

[@BernieHollandMusic]

@@xtraspecialmango Well - if the Johnson Plan succeeds and Scotland gains independence bringing about the end of Dis United Kingdom, then it could well be "time up" for all these upper-class parasites that have been the object of devotion of the plebeian masses for too long now.

[@frantreml7795]

If I was a Scots I’d want out of the Union

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

Which Union?

[@ameyas7726]

@@thegrandmuftiofwakanda The Union of the Lizard-People

[@karlmarx1868]

Dont worry the independance referendum next year looks like an overwhelming yes

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

To get a Scottish Independence Loser’s Vote you first need to get Comrade Corbyn into No. 10, and that isn’t going to happen.

[@chelsealouise3137]

Thanks we will one day be free 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Viewer-discretion-is-advised7]

I want it to break up its about time We do everything and get zero recognition and always get hated on well independence for England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 after we get brexit done ✅

[@patricklawler5148]

Will it break up the union........one word YES

[@andrescasado5975]

EU is a peace project

[@hjyigo4759]

No. It's a political project.

[@andrescasado5975]

Hj Yigo As well

[@kriskruz3792]

If Tories win the election we are heading for Indyref2 in 2020

[@hjyigo4759]

Johnson won't give them the referendum. So no we're not.

[@fuzzle9392]

@@hjyigo4759 He cant stop Scotland, it is wholly up to the Scottish people, not Johnson. Britain is over, check out the other 60 nations who left the "Empire" it'll just be like all the rest.

[@kirsteneasdale5707]

Kris Kruz We are heading for Scotref 2020 irrespective of which unionist party gains the majority at Westminster.

[@additionaddict5524]

Scotland is an independent country. The union doesn’t stop that. If they choose to they should be able to leave though

[@additionaddict5524]

@J. Harris. Brexit represents a big change in the future of their country. I can’t see how you can legitimately argue that if SNP put it on their manifesto that a English-based party can stop them.

[@hjyigo4759]

@@additionaddict5524 But then the Conservative Party, Labour Party or Liberal Democrats aren't 'English based parties', they are British parties who represent the whole of Britain, as well as the UK of course.

[@additionaddict5524]

@@hjyigo4759 ok pedant, parties whose primary electorial heartlands aren’t Scotland based. SNP on course for overwhelming majority in Scotland. Only an anti democrat would permanently withhold possibility of referendum (unless they vote for unionist parties in significant numbers).

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

Scotland is as independent a country as Texas. Least y'all get a referendum. Secession without permission doesn't seem to work out too well 🇨🇱

[@additionaddict5524]

@bucketsandshims the border issue (as complex as NI), plus 7% debt levels (over 3% allowed) means EU accepting an application from Scotland for membership is not guaranteed. They would need to get independence before Brexit or they potentially face a non-EU, non-Union future.

[@Sir_Richard_Long]

I'm proud of my own achievements and not someone elses.

[@samuelthornton9179]

@J. Harris. i would still be proud of my achievements

[@Sir_Richard_Long]

@J. Harris. I'm not radical nor edgy. It's common sense my friend. If you indulge yourself in "proud" nationalism, you will walk as a blind man. Blind to criticism, blind to change. The only way you can stand with a straight spine in front of your elders, is to respect theirs, and achive your own. Being proud won't put food on the table. Are you proud of the horrific as well, or you just dont look that way?

[@tehrealfake]

@J. Harris. No, but if you should be proud to be British, does it not follow that you should feel ashamed to be Somalian or Afghan? To me that's a flawed idea, both ways. Pride should be a reward. Save it for when you actually did something to make your life better, that way it can motivate you to do more, instead of being an exercise in vanity. I respect a Somalian who has improved himself and the world more than a Brit who's grandfather did the same.

[@wizarddog5049]

It’s a different sort of pride, pride in the accomplishments of those that came before you is more of taking inspiration from them and those around you. People should be a bit clearer when they talk like that, but there’s nothing wrong with being proud of where you came from.

[@adamender9092]

Here in northern Ireland, we are furious. We were dragged out of the EU against our will and the Irish and Ulster Scots languages were stripped of the little recognition they had by idiots who are proud of an empire that killed more people than WW2 did. The true colours of the UK are showing and the blindfold preventing us from seeing English desires out dominate ours in every election, has been removed. "British" only refers to the English now and I'm extremely excited for this prison like union to end. I honestly don't care if northern Ireland rejoins Ireland or becomes independent, I just want this shitty tory country to let us go our own ways

[@ryand2022]

Andy Street hit the nail on the head, I'm from the North East and nothing that gets done in westminster has any impact on our region. London is an ivory tower.

[@imyerda2590]

England had its turn now it's up for Éire, Cymru and Alba for theirs! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇮🇪 independence and unification for the Celtic nation's!

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

Curious what would happen if a region or county of Scotland voted remain when the rest voted leave...could they have an independence referendum from Scotland too? A Dumfries & Gallowexit perhaps?

[@imyerda2590]

@@user-nf9xc7ww7m you see those are regions and counties of Scotland...Scotland is a country not a region...if we talking about galloexit shud we have a mancuinionExit (Manchester)?

[@imyerda2590]

And tbh nobody wants a galloexit or whatnot just an independent Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 sure after all we do have the majority😏see yous in the polls😘

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

@@imyerda2590 sure. Let the city-state of Manchester be an independent member of the Commonwealth. A British singapore?

[@James-gh5ie]

The welsh aren’t leaving the majority voted to leave the EU

[@oliveroconnor5983]

Solve the identity crisis by restructuring the British identity. Revision of whether the empire was good or bad (it was bad) and move away from identifying with imperialism. Instead, move towards an identity based around freedom, justice and democracy. That way, the Scots will feel more happy to identity with he UK, as would immigrants. It’d create a more united country

[@hjyigo4759]

These people aren't imperialists. They don't want a repeat of the 19th century. Don't take what he said too literally. Are you saying they shouldn't be proud of their country. Are these people wrong because they aren't left wing enough for you is that it?

[@nelsonsibiya9204]

Perfectly put.

[@Cha4k]

If the Scottish people do vote for Independence couldn't the government just ignore them for voting wrong like they did with Brexit?

[@Wasabi00009]

Did I just hear that man be proud to have “conquered the world”👀 we gonna play like that wasn’t a negative thing

[@Depplova81]

😂👌 It's sad, but funny lol

[@andrepettersson175]

Yeah, ending the slave trade was a bad thing. Building infrastructure and railroads... all of it was just so bad.

[@Wasabi00009]

Andre Pettersson THEY STARTED THE SLAVE TRADE THE FUCK...that’s like saying well you broke my leg but at least you fixed it 🥴

[@Wasabi00009]

Seas _Wallace it’s not funny in anyway

[@andrepettersson175]

@@Wasabi00009 "they started the slave trade"... uhm... no they did not. The atlantic slave trade came in to being beacuse of the trans saharan slave trade. The Portuguese and Spanish were the ones that started buying slaves from the arab slavers in Africa who had control of a huge slaver network that had exsisted for centuries and brought millions of slaves to the Ottoman Empire. The fact is that if it hadnt been for the British changing public opinion on slavery the slave trade would have gone on for much longer, saying "they started it" is historically iliterate". The active British attacks against slave ships in the atlantic and their forcing the ottoman empire to ban slavery is what ended a millenia old slave trade. The ottoman empires arab population wasnt very happy with the slave trade ending which weakend ottoman control of their arab territories further. The slave trade had exsisted for as long as there had been civilisations in the world. Its unfortunate that with the fall of Libya they have gone back to their ancient slavery ways of the trans saharan slave trade. Anyway claiming the English started it is laughable and trying to dissmiss the good things about Empire is ridiculous.

[@tyronerodgers]

Yes. What goes around comes around. It will be the only good thing to come out of Brexit. The “United Kingdom” is finished. And good riddance. Roll on the break up.

[@matthewdevalle404]

Being English and being British are synonymous as the English never never have to compromise their wishes to be "British". Time and time again Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are told to "suck it up" and go along with what England wants because "we're all British". This never happens to England; they've never had to compromise on anything for the sake of their "precious Union".

[@gregorarmstrong2478]

England’s a great place but it’s certainly got its fault. I am worried that people thinking so much about their English identity will ultimately break up the union. I am scottish but proud to be part of the U.K

[@StephenJPayne]

0.32% ~ Less that 1/3 of 1%. ~ That's the cost of being part of the EU. I just learned this today and I'm somewhat stunned, because I had assumed it was more ... but it's not. And it's only that high because the richer countries pay in more per capita than the poor countries, and Britain has prospered by being in the EU, so we pay in a bit more than many other countries .... 0.32% And for that we Brits get to travel and work throughout the EU with no visas. For 0.32% of our GDP we get to be part of an organisation that kept the peace for over 40 years. Brexit is fucking madness. Now people have more info, we need a proper vote.

[@ScottishRoss27]

Scotlands contribution to the eu £303 million or 0,4% , Scots Exports to the eu countries £15 billion per annum! in contrast , 60% of taxation in Scotland goes to 'ukgov' , one would conclude 60% of taxation is more than £303million

[@StephenJPayne]

@@ScottishRoss27 .... it would not surprise me if Scotland left the UK within 10 years.

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@StephenJPayne Within the year hopefully, referendum bill is going through scots parlie the now, passed stage one, will have gone through procedure by end o the year

[@StephenJPayne]

@@ScottishRoss27 ..... I'd be sad to see the UK shatter, but I'd not blame anyone except the stupid Brexit voters.

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@StephenJPayne Naw! Wastemonster only is to blame for fatally ignoring our majority of All 32 council areas who voted to stay in the eu.

[@2gointruth]

“Every kingdom divided against itself goes into ruin; and no town, no household that is divided against itself can stand.” - (Matthew 12: 25) -

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

The European Union is a stool with three legs. Those legs are the UK, Germany and France. This stool is propping the weight of 25 significantly lesser member states predominantly constituted of the PIIGS and the Eastern European donkey farms. So what do you think happens when you remove one of the legs?

[@bjorntoulouse7523]

Never once mentioned that Wales voted for Brexit.

[@hjyigo4759]

@@ugh4387 How do you know that? Merthyr voted out. Are there lots of English people there?

[@ugh4387]

@@hjyigo4759 www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/22/english-people-wales-brexit-research

[@bjorntoulouse7523]

ugh - Ooh, hit a nerve there have I. And as for the Guardian, I wouldn’t believe owt I read in there about Brexit, or anything else for that matter.

[@bjorntoulouse7523]

bucketsandshims - At this time we are still in the EU, I suggest you rethink when we’ve actually left.

[@bjorntoulouse7523]

bucketsandshims - I was glad when Scotland voted to stay in the UK but now wonder if I’d prefer it if they had left.

[@mango2005]

Remain/Leave arguments and "take back control" also applies to Scotland, Wales and NI in my opinion with respect to being in/out of the UK.

[@TeddyMack]

Plot twist: England secedes from the Union

[@markbowden7238]

The BBC making a programme about people who get their information from the BBC.

[@edwardgwilliam6452]

Notice how the first person literally just forgot wales existed

[@hirobeez]

Yeah, conquering half the world, oppressing them and then losing them doesn't sound like an achievement.

[@alfie1788]

Everything you have just said is incorrect

[@alfie1788]

1 - The British empire was the first to abolish the slave trade and used 1/6th of its fleet at one point to blockade Africa and freed almost a million slaves. 2 - If there was as much oppression as you say there was why do more than 90% of Jamaicans prefer British rule. Hong Kongers said 92% preferred British rule. Also, the slave trade has been running for centuries in Africa and was committed brutally in Arabic countries (more so than Britain). To prove this ask yourself why Africans are a very small minority in Arabia and there is a horrific answer. 3 - The British Empire after it had fought off the greatest evil the world had ever seen gave away its colonies through referendums and home rule. Many countries have thrived from the institutions Britain established such as Australia, New Zealand, Us and Canada (eg free speech, democracy human rights and freedom of the press). This was why there was very few revolts against British rule after WW2 as many were just given independence. Of course the British Empire did many poor things but you must recognise compared to the other nations of those times, the British had a lot to be proud of.

[@paddybroderick]

@@alfie1788 na

[@cakebaker6071]

@@alfie1788 Bulllllllllshit,

[@qmance8062]

Arcade X everything he said is CORRECT

[@davidseto169]

Hopefully, yes! And the return of Gilbraltar to Spain.

[@SantiagoGeffen]

And the return of Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands to Argentina and the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.

[@halldorherm]

It always amazes me how many English people think that the UK is still an empire and the world actually relies on it. If the UK would break up, nothing would change for the rest of the world. The only country that would suffer would be an isolated and weaker England and the other nations would re-join the EU.

[@alimcmoet]

Love being Scottish, adore being part of UK. HATE being governed by the Westminster system.

[@redraven3277]

I love the Scottish, I love the Welsh, I love the Irish, and I quite dislike the English. Yet I have to be English haha. I absolutely love the Union and think ultimately it’s best for all of us to progress united, but just to dismiss the growing nationalism is foolery of course. This growing nationalism for every ilk is coming for a reason, and though it’s always a case-by-case basis, I think it can unilaterally be somewhat put down to the Westminster system. Scotland sees it as unfair that their politics can be overturned at London, Wales sees it as unfair that they often have to be subservient to their English masters, Northern Ireland is rightfully pissed that Stormont hasn’t been operating for years and London doesn’t seem to even care, and ironically even England thinks it’s unfair as at least the other countries have their own Parliaments but England does not, so they use the UK Parliament as if it were the English Parliament making it all more Anglo-centric which only makes the ire of the Scottish, the Welsh and the Irish burn even more. I love the United Kingdom and I love the people in there - I see any proposed border on this island as the same as erecting a wall across Berlin - but I cannot blame any of them for wanting independence given the history against them and the blatantly unfair system they are shackled under. The Union is not working, yet I still feel independence would ultimately be a worse alternative than a simple systematic change or devolution of the Union. More autonomy to each province, better voting systems (FPTP fucks everybody over), less power to the Union in and of itself, give England its own Parliament for Pete’s sake, and for God’s sake stop Brexit somehow. I love the idea of Union, but I recognise how poor *this* Union is and I can only plead for the sake of every Briton that we change to a Union that benefits all of us rather than a break-up which to be fair would probably benefit some of us but I feel is probably a less optimal choice. God-speed my Scottish sibling and may we see the fall of this governance by Westminster soon. 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇨🇮

[@sausagejockyGaming]

Alasdair Mcgavin thankgod someone with sense, scotland should have more automomy so their laws can be better implemented to benefit scots, the UK should stay together especially considering scotland is a defecit nation and would struggle economically solo, england already accounts for more than 90% of scottish trade. More autonomy and more powers to the scottish government and local councils in general closer to the american state and federal system rather than a single government.

[@alexilsley897]

anserghogeth dhe KERNOW!!!! (Independence for Cornwall in Cornish) I LONG FOR IT and want it, I’m 14 and apart of the movement

[@grahamsimpson4084]

Hope you getit Kennoway.what you gonna do when all the English boycott you.get a grip

[@chrisberrisford6465]

leaving our trading block, the break up of the Union. us poor English sifting through bins, looking for a half-eaten turnip. lol

[@hjyigo4759]

You know what? I think we'll be alright lol

[@weeddegree]

chris berrisford haha, its all doom and gloom 🙄

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

Commonwealth realms (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belize) and other commonwealth members could compete if commonwealth trade deal done.

[@martindornan1667]

@@user-nf9xc7ww7m On the 18th June 2018 the EU and Australia began negotiate a trade agreement. Canada signed a trade deal CETA with the EU. With a hard Brexit the experienced EU, USA and Chinese etc. trade negotiators will screw the smaller UK in future trade deals. With a hard Brexit the UK will have to negotiate about 42 trade deals around the world which will take along time probably decades to negotiate to just get what we have just now through the EU.

[@phantomthiefirwin9631]

A breakup of the Current UK Government/Order is EXACTLY what the UK needs. Give the 4 countries MUCH more control over their own borders and economies. Let England run England. Let Scotland run Scotland. Let NI run NI. Let Wales run Wales. Everybody would benefit and not as many toes would be stepped on.

[@jasonfaulkner8644]

The BIG question isn't whether Wales, Scotland or N. Ireland would leave the UK to remain part of the EU. The end game question is: Would the Tories or Brexit Party mobilize the military to prevent such a thing? This is the biggest question facing the UK in the 21st century. Its a question military members deserve an answer to before the upcoming election. (Longshanks' ghost would like to know too.)

[@jasonfaulkner8644]

​@Jan Schlossar Is it their legal duty to do so? An important discussion to have before the UK election. I contend that Brexit, like Trump in the USA, was a bluff that got called by fool voters. Please everyone support stronger public education.

[@shockthroughtheheart6649]

Right wingers 🙄

[@hjyigo4759]

Decent people who don't support Hamas, Marxism, political thuggery, authoritarianism etc. The list goes on...

[@MontyCantsin5]

​@@hjyigo4759: Decent people who yearn for the time when Britain ruled 'half of the world' by any means necessary. And yet you don't think they support political thuggery and authoritarianism? Or are they just ignorant of these factors?

[@user-up1ny]

@@hjyigo4759 Hamas is trying to do what 109 did before.

[@euan2970]

It’s ironic when they say it would be sad to break up the union , that’s what the other countries in the EU have said 😶

[@paintTitTblack]

And they said Brexit will break up the EU..

[@evanomairtin1279]

They keep referring to Ireland as if it is a part of the UK, this is pure ignorance, Ireland (Éire) has been an independent state for nearly a hundred years, They should be saying ‘Northern Ireland’ is mór an difríocht!

[@bobsthea]

what kind take back control spotlight would be like ? hmmm

[@eamonnsiocain6454]

The referendum *_already_* broke up the UK: England and Wales will leave the EU while Scotland and Northern Ireland will remain in the EU. GET BREXIT DONE!

[@awesomeavenger2810]

Just gonna point out that its not those who voted to leave who divide the UK up depending on how they voted in the EU referendum. But those who voted to remain. Its not those who voted to leave who are threatening to break up the UK, but those who voted to remain. And its labour, a party of remainers who rejected the referendum result (despite promising to respect it) who are now making deals with nationalists in Scotland - Newsnight should be asking why remainers are wanting to break up the UK just because they didn't get their way in a referendum?

[@awesomeavenger2810]

Jan Schlossar you might want to try making sense if you're going to ask a question. I have no idea what 'call fellow EU nationals into fucking eastern Europeans' means.

[@awesomeavenger2810]

Mirror Finish I think perhaps you should pay attention. Labour policy is now to rerun the 2016 referendum, offering a choice between Leave in name only, and remain. Thats the opposite of its promise before, during and directly after the referendum and the last general election to respect the leave vote and deliver on it.

[@awesomeavenger2810]

Labours policy is the worst of both worlds. Neither full membership, nor independence from the EU. Corbyn is trying to ramp up fear over a trade deal with the US, claiming that the UK government will sell off the NHS or something, when under his leave proposals, it'll be the EU that makes those decisions, while the UK 'will be in the room' with no say and no veto. If labour felt itself unable to respect the 2016 peoples referendum result, it should've said so before, during, and after the referendum and the last election. Rather than lie in order to get votes from all sides.

[@si-yuandong6450]

I found out that lots of agricultural and communications development in Scotland are claimed as sponsored by EU instead of Westminster, I saw such on info boards across the Scotland especially in hinterland regions. So the people there really must have strong appreciation to EU other than London. As a foreigner I am a little puzzled, it’s hard to imagine a Canadian farm proudly claiming sponsorships from US other than Ottawa, a Chinese tech firm announcing subsidies from Japan instead of Beijing, so what a going on with so many EU funded projects in Scotland? Is it Westminster money coated in EU titles, or is it really EU jumps in while Westminster done nothing in Scotland?

[@helloworld0911]

If there were a referendum where the English voted one way and the rest of the UK voted the other way, the English would still win.

[@sausagejockyGaming]

AS THEY SHOULD???? Englands population is about 5x more your trying to suggest a single scot should equal like 5 englishmen????? Not to mention england brings all the wealth to the Uk

[@fuzzle9392]

@@sausagejockyGaming No! It should not work like that, Scotland is equal to England regardless of population. Consider the greater world:- So England has more say globally than say Norway or Switzerland but less say than China or India? It doesn't work like that out in the real world. Why should the UK work like that within itself? Time for Scotland to leave this broken union that created "Great Britain" because it doesn't work for the reasons that you usefully pointed out along with the English psychology that the UK is England, it is four nations. Englands population is around 60 million and Scotland has 5 million, so Scotland's voice isn't heard and buried by an English centric partisan media and parliament. As for your statement that England brings all the wealth to the UK then it is plainly obvious that you are completely out of touch with reality on that one. You should do some investigation on that one, you'll be in for a shock!

[@sausagejockyGaming]

Gillean Freire scottish oil that is owned by england businesses

[@jameskoziol8508]

@@fuzzle9392 you're arguement is silly, why should British person living Inverness or anglesey have a high proportional vote then a british person living Norwich or Merseyside? Just based on where they're living in the country? That's like saying a French citizen from Paris should get a more powerful vote then a french citizen from Normandy

[@fuzzle9392]

@@jameskoziol8508 You obviously dont understand the difference between a french city and a french region when you are comparing two nations, they are both France. Scotland and England, are two nations (and two others) joined in a voluntary political union known as the UK. You might like to refer to the treaty of the union from 1707. So, Scotland is not a region of the UK any more than England is not a region of the UK, they are two nations united under the UK. It is a trade agreement similar but different to the EU Then once that has sunk in go and consider how the world works on the differences between of population between the likes of Norway and China. They both have equal voices. Time for Scotland to leave the Union, just like the sixty other nations that left the so called British empire. The inherent ignorance in your response to my comment is a good example of why the political union should end.

[@samcs1453]

"Conquered half the world" is nothing to be proud of but rather a burden that every colonizer will carry forever.

[@jamescullen6973]

Sam CS fuck of twat

[@kerriekupar6466]

@OtherWorlds AllWorlds you bastards took 45 trillion out of india www.cadtm.org/How-Britain-stole-45-trillion-from-India Before the British the indian subcontinent was divided and rich after u left we were still divided but now poor as well. Indians preferred to be divided and wealthy rather than poor.

[@TequilaToothpick]

That guy belittling Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the reason the UK will break up. As an Englishman I don't blame the other nations leaving us.

[@AWhileHanlin]

Hillarious how the deplorable DUP were invited to whisper in the tories ears about the precious Union and encourage a brexit that is especially destructive to Northern Ireland. This is the result, a fragmented union and so be it.

[@xr8237]

Haha... ‘if the United Kingdom finishes, the world will be finished in any case’ Really? You that delusional?

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

A pro-brexit person: (concerning UK) "Why break up the union?" Bit hypocritical since that person was for breaking up another union (EU), innit?

[@brg9327]

Federalise the UK. Scotland, Wales & N. Ireland are good to go. England would need to be split up by each region (based on EU constituencies), so each has its own local government. One of the biggest issues people in this country have is that everything revolves around London. Everyone has greater representation, a closer more focused government and the UK remains intact. If people have a greater say and stake in their country they are more likely to support it and be involved. Edit: Just in case there is any confusion. When I say Scotland, Wales & N.Ireland are good to go, I mean they already have their own national governments, but would remain part of the UK.

[@StevenJPiper]

I had a similar idea, break all of it up, then we all rejoin in one alliance, kind of like a mini EU, but we all still have our own governments, but still resources are shared, cooperation is free and easy, and we remain separate from the big hulking monstrosity that is the current EU. We could call it the Western European Alliance.

[@StevenJPiper]

@Anthony Burke How am I clutching at straws? it was an idea? You give up....

[@additionaddict5524]

This may happen somewhat naturally through need alone...Manchester socialised care, mayors, more power to local government bodies. Naturally we’ll find some way to fudge it.

[@rodeolo1]

I'm following extremely closely Brexit since 2015 and I am utterly convinced that both Scotland & North Ireland are huge thorns in England's back...

[@sausagejockyGaming]

They are both defecit nations, statistically english people are richer without them, also eith them being defecit nations they would say goodbye to their free healthcare and education.

[@ThePrenti]

as a No voter in 2014 and a remainer in 2016 i would now vote yes to Scottish Independence, this whole brexit mess has opened my eyes to how much we in Scotland are disregarded and looked down on by the English

[@ThePrenti]

@Worldwide Wabbit you would be more than welcome just like everyone else!

[@zephergaming4437]

Scottish people are not looked down upon by English people, only when it comes to football lol. Scotland is an important part of the union it is as important as wales, England and Northern Ireland. The problem is that for too long there were no real alternative to Blair and Camerons way of doing things, Jeremy Corbyn is providing you with a clear alternative that will majorly benefit people who are at the bottom of society. We need unity not division brother

[@ThePrenti]

@@zephergaming4437 the only that would solve that and make us feel welcomed is equal say, we make up 1/4 of the UK we should have 1/4 of the seats in the house of commons for our voice to be heard which will never happen, i usually vote for an independent candidate or Green but will be lending my vote to the SNP, the only way to make Scotland's voice heard. i'm not too fond of the leaders but as my granddad always says vote for the policy's not the leaders.

[@ThePrenti]

@Worldwide Wabbit a lot of people will swing there vote, most people i know or have spoken to voted the same as me and like me would switch given another chance

[@StevenJPiper]

That's a load of crap. Please DO NOT lump everybody into what is an already sensationalist statement in the first place. I am another that does not look down on the Scottish, spent many a good holiday there, generally awesome people, and the local delicacies are awesome too. But a lot of you (not all of you) seem to blame us for a lot of your problems....

[@cloverhal2284]

Its weird : I’m French and should (according to our rivalry) be pleased by this...but I haven’t met anyone here myself included that feels happy about what’s happening on your country. I truly hope the best for you, from your patay wining nemesis (this is humour don’t get offended. If that’s possible today anyway)

[@Sneaky_Bunny]

Kind of sad to describe myself as an Englishman with people like this, not all of us are this way but a vast majority are. We could lose major parts of our history thanks to these knobheads, don't blame Scotland and Ireland. Wishing you the best of luck from down south, if you have room for a southerner send me a message lmao.

[@dweller6065]

The UK economy is not in great shape and there is much work to do, and difficult decisions to make, post Brexit. Resolute action requires the consent of the governed, and this could well be lacking in Scotland. It might be better for all concerned that a second independence referendum be conducted there. IMO even if Scotland broke away, chronic poor economic performance within a failing EU, will prompt a future Scottish govt to eventually seek readmission to the UK.