Apparently, the heads of various regional assemblies have expressed a shared desire for future independence from Westminster at some point. Is this truly a serious proposal or even a desirable one? And what would real independence actually look like?
Is this truly a serious proposal or even a desirable one?
Desirable to England? Or to the citizens of the other countries?
The leader of Plaid Cymru isn't seeking indepence at the moment. Whether Scottish citizens are can only be tested by another independence vote - although after the last one, Westminster pulled the rug out from under a very pro-European Scotland through Brexit, which Scottish citizens did not vote for. That certainly galvinised many people towards independnece in order to rejoin the EU. The rise of REform has added to that, as Scotland is a great deal more inclusive than England.
Northern Ireland is more complicated, as the Orange-oriented citizens are hostile toward southern Ireland and many moderate citizens would prefer to stay in the UK, even if they hate the exptremists. It wouldn't really be an issue in Norn Iron had not Trump stirred things up recently.
I doubt Wales could cope with independence financially, which is probably why the leader of Plaid isn't advocating it at the moment. They would probably have to join teh EU if they became independent simply to survive. Scotland has historical strong ties with France, but there are issues around indepence in terms of currency, military bases and the oil and gas industry, that makes Westminster want to ensure it remains in English control. However, in the last few years they have been far too heavy-handed about that and used their power nakedly to overrule Scotland over at least one issue. Whatever people feel about that issue, such naked power-grabs only raise hackles in Scotland, and not just with the Scottish government. To make matters worse, the promises of added powers to Scotland made to ensure the last anti-indepence vote was jettisoned once England got its way. Many Scots now feel they are in an abusive relationship, which Westminster does not try to alleviate. Reform makes matters worse by insisting the native Scottish languages should be discouraged in favour of straight English, which conjours up all the old discriminations and oppression.
In addition to all the above, Westminster never consults the other countries about policy and makes most citizens in those countries feel ignored by the English. Any call for independence is Westminster's own fault.
Northern Ireland is more complicated, as the Orange-oriented citizens are hostile toward southern Ireland and many moderate citizens would prefer to stay in the UK, even if they hate the exptremists. It wouldn't really be an issue in Norn Iron had not Trump stirred things up recently.
That is not an accurate reflection of the reality for most people in Northern Ireland. The topic has been to the forefront of people’s lips for a long time. Many good people have worked extremely hard, under very difficult circumstances to bring about peace and the Good Friday Agreement.
Trump’s words don’t and won’t change how things are in N. Ireland. Things will progress only in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement. If the majority of NI citizens want a United Ireland, then the process can take place, and that is the only way it can come about for now.
Many good people have worked extremely hard, under very difficult circumstances to bring about peace and the Good Friday Agreement.
indeed they have. The work that was done at the time was immense and courageous.
If the majority of NI citizens want a United Ireland, then the process can take place, and that is the only way it can come about for now.
Agreed. The 'issue' I had in mind was what reaction Trump's words may have on the extremists. I fear that the DUP hotheads may wish to express disagreement in unacceptable ways, which would cause a counter-reaction from the extremists on the other side.
I know I'm an outsider, but I've been visiting NI once to three times a year since my ex-partner was called to give evidence at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Derry, back in 2000. Virtually every lawyer in the room had a copy of his book about the Troubles. He showed me around the sites he'd frequented as a reporter at the beginning of the Troubles. My closest friend (the reason for the visits) is a non-partisan ex-Belfaster from the Protestant community, now living in East Antrim, while another long-time friend is from a Catholic family in Co Down. I hope that, as an outsider, it gives me an advantage many others here in Britain don't share, though I don't mistake that as equal to those who live in NI.
The GFA is far from perfect as people aren’t fairly represented here. At the time, most people were just so delighted to have peace and a devolved government which would debate rather than verbally fight in the Stormont chamber. Our Assembly isn’t fit for purpose now but not all its members have the appetite for further concessions to ‘the other side’, so I don’t know how it will pan out. Most people want peace.
Dialogue and making concessions is a necessary part of peace building. The question is, ‘Do people want peace or not?’ I think most people do here and I wish that was the fundamental question that people in other countries which have conflict would ask themselves.
Political dynamics have changed much over the last generation, with some young people having different views on politics to their parents on a scale that wouldn’t have happened when I was young.
And for the better, as far as I can judge. One of the worst aspects of the GFA, to my mind, is the inability to take account of the rise of the Alliance party.
most people I know from here who travel to Europe, do so on an Irish passport
My friend has one, now, although neither she nor her husband travel to Europe.
Some goods from Britain are unavailable to us or more expensive because firms don’t want the extra cost in time and labour to send them here.
I know. It's really annoying, isn't it? Together with the premium charged by many companies on shipping to NI - if they will even ship at all. Twice, my friend has had to pay for goods to be sent to me, so I can send them to her.
Political dynamics have changed much over the last generation, with some young people having different views on politics to their parents on a scale that wouldn’t have happened when I was young.
And for the better, as far as I can judge. One of the worst aspects of the GFA, to my mind, is the inability to take account of the rise of the Alliance party.
most people I know from here who travel to Europe, do so on an Irish passport
My friend has one, now, although neither she nor her husband travel to Europe.
Some goods from Britain are unavailable to us or more expensive because firms don’t want the extra cost in time and labour to send them here.
I know. It's really annoying, isn't it? Together with the premium charged by many companies on shipping to NI - if they will even ship at all. Twice, my friend has had to pay for goods to be sent to me, so I can send them to her.
