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A dis-united Kingdom?

(14 Posts)
FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 13-Sept-26 12:29:53

The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will gather tomorrow to sign a deal designed to kick-start the break-up of the United Kingdom,

(The Telegraph this morning).

At an unprecedented summit in Cardiff, the three first ministers will put pen to paper on a joint declaration demanding the right to hold independence referendums.

This will be interesting….

Aveline Sun 13-Sept-26 12:33:53

Waste of time. Performative attempt to distract from their poor record.

Cossy Sun 13-Sept-26 13:09:42

☹️☹️

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 13-Sept-26 13:12:19

I can understand I think. Perfectly understandable that they might want to self-govern, but can they self-finance?

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 13-Sept-26 13:12:50

And aren’t we ‘stronger together’?

Mollygo Sun 13-Sept-26 13:28:13

The next thing will be passports to cross the borders. Hadrian’s wall could have a new life.
If they want independence, go for it. It will distract from all the other problems we’re faced with.
What I want to know is why England isn’t there campaigning too.

Aveline Sun 13-Sept-26 13:28:19

Exactly. Putin must be rubbing his hands at the thought of this.

vegansrock Sun 13-Sept-26 13:40:58

Note that those who wanted to leave the EU didn’t hear the “stronger together”message.

Casdon Sun 13-Sept-26 13:41:29

Independence will only ever happen if the voters of the three non English nations want it to happen, and vote for it to happen.

I don’t see why they should not have the right to hold referendums. I do think though that referendums should be clearly time limited, so not more frequent than once every 10 years.

M0nica Sun 13-Sept-26 13:53:41

Looking how badly both governments have done since their partial independence - and used English money to be so. I would think complete independence was cutting your nose off to spite your face.

ayse Sun 13-Sept-26 13:59:05

I also don’t see why they shouldn’t hold referenda. A big but though, I believe all future referenda should be treated as effective with more than a simple majority. No 52/48% winning as in Brexit. I also think that people should be required to vote but on the ballot paper there should be an abstention box. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for such huge decisions to be taken by a whole population.
I understand that in Australia people are expected to vote or pay a penalty so it certainly has been done in a democratic society.
I’d also like to see a proper Proportional Representation introduced for the UK.

Casdon Sun 13-Sept-26 14:04:43

As Plaid have only been in power in Wales since May 2026 that’s a tad premature M0nica.

I guess your perspective is quite different when you live in a poor ex mining area, for example, of a country which has historically not done well by an English-centric government to how you feel if you’re living in middle England.

For what it’s worth, Wales would not vote for independence currently, I don’t know about Scotland. What is objected to though is English people saying we are not allowed to vote to determine our own destiny - it’s a b….y cheek in fact.

OldFrill Sun 13-Sept-26 14:09:47

The Scottish Independence Referendum cost nearly £16 million in 2014. Goodness knows how much it would cost now.

In the Scottish General Election in May 2026 there was a turnout of 53%. The SNP lost 6 seats, yet Swinney insists the result of that election gives him a mandate for a referendum.

Casdon Sun 13-Sept-26 14:16:23

The turnout for the refendum last time was much higher though OldFrill, wasn’t it? Perhaps a referendum is a good place to introduce mandatory voting?