Natasha, thank you for your kind comment. I try to bring an Irish perspective to these matters, further helped by the fact that I live in France and spend time in Brussels. You are right. The British continue to demand exceptional treatment. They are not going to get it. Maybe one day we will extend the EU to take in Canada!
My point is that Brexit let the genie of English nationalism out of the bottle. Whether Farage survives his current difficulties is of minor importance. Whether the UK can hold together is a moot question. But who can predict the future?
After Brexit, it continues to astonish me that the UK keeps begging to have its cake and it too. I’m so proud of the EU for standing strong against the UK, they are unstable…revolving PMs, and a fickle uninformed population, it reminds me of the USA. I lived in Ireland during Brexit and I will never forget hearing Nigel Farage’s disgusting exit speech on the floor in Brussels. I also remember distinctively Scotland’s speech..that they will be back someday and please keep the lights on. I’m back living in Canada now and I really appreciate your writing, as it resemble exactly how I see /saw the situation. Thank you
- Explicit right to vote to leave UK & join Ireland.
- a complete subsidy junkie; the economic case for reunification is very much based on switching from the UK's failed regional subsidy model to Ireland's (currently) successful Capitalist model.
Scotland:
- Part of the UK since 1707
- 5.5m population
- Might be allowed to vote to leave, though heavy interference in 2014 referendum does not indicate a free and fair vote would really be allowed.
- On paper subsidised by England; on fact there is a lot of jiggery-pokery behind those stats. I don't see independence happening so long as the English state profits from draining Scotland dry of its natural resources.
Wales:
- Part of the "UK" since 1536
- 3m population
- Has never to my knowledge seriously explored independence, so I don't know what the mechanics would be.
- Subsidised by England, but also culturally assimilated with common legal system, etc. Plus an independent Wales is pretty strategically placed from an English defence POV, so London may be less inclined to cast it off.
Natasha, thank you for your kind comment. I try to bring an Irish perspective to these matters, further helped by the fact that I live in France and spend time in Brussels. You are right. The British continue to demand exceptional treatment. They are not going to get it. Maybe one day we will extend the EU to take in Canada!
My point is that Brexit let the genie of English nationalism out of the bottle. Whether Farage survives his current difficulties is of minor importance. Whether the UK can hold together is a moot question. But who can predict the future?
After Brexit, it continues to astonish me that the UK keeps begging to have its cake and it too. I’m so proud of the EU for standing strong against the UK, they are unstable…revolving PMs, and a fickle uninformed population, it reminds me of the USA. I lived in Ireland during Brexit and I will never forget hearing Nigel Farage’s disgusting exit speech on the floor in Brussels. I also remember distinctively Scotland’s speech..that they will be back someday and please keep the lights on. I’m back living in Canada now and I really appreciate your writing, as it resemble exactly how I see /saw the situation. Thank you
Northern Ireland:
- Part of the UK since 1801
- 2m population
- Explicit right to vote to leave UK & join Ireland.
- a complete subsidy junkie; the economic case for reunification is very much based on switching from the UK's failed regional subsidy model to Ireland's (currently) successful Capitalist model.
Scotland:
- Part of the UK since 1707
- 5.5m population
- Might be allowed to vote to leave, though heavy interference in 2014 referendum does not indicate a free and fair vote would really be allowed.
- On paper subsidised by England; on fact there is a lot of jiggery-pokery behind those stats. I don't see independence happening so long as the English state profits from draining Scotland dry of its natural resources.
Wales:
- Part of the "UK" since 1536
- 3m population
- Has never to my knowledge seriously explored independence, so I don't know what the mechanics would be.
- Subsidised by England, but also culturally assimilated with common legal system, etc. Plus an independent Wales is pretty strategically placed from an English defence POV, so London may be less inclined to cast it off.