Should the regions of the United Kingdom be granted Independence?

[Óttar]

Would you support the countries of the United Kingdom being granted independence and all this entails? Why or why not?

[Beorn]

What do you mean by "regions"? As in the countries?

[Óttar]

What do you mean by "regions"? As in the countries?

Yes.

[Lahtari]

While this isn't actually any of my or any other foreigners business, I'm voting yes since I don't find unions of peoples with separate national identities to be a good idea at all. I can think of several cases where such multiethnic states have caused balkanization and bitter fighting over land and power. Not to say that the UK would necessarily lead to anything like that (except in Northern Ireland where it has already happened), but on the other hand, countries gaining independence by peaceful means has never caused any ethnic tensions but rather had a stabilizing effect.

It's just like we use to "hate" each others (or at least the Swedes ) in the Nordic countries. That's a big joke. We have some funny stereotypies about each others, and I guess everyone just has to hate their neighbor, even if just a little bit, but in reality the region has probably the least of ethnic tensions in Europe (when not counting immigrants). I can just imagine the amount of hatred if the Kalmar Union or something similar was still in place.

The problem here is that if those countries are staying in the EU and accepting the Lisbon treaty after independence, it can decrease the influence of the region overall like pointed out. And independence under the Lisbon treaty is pointless anyway, when the barely democratic EU government will have the power over even the smallest details of national law.

[Óttar]

Really!? You guys have no opinion? I'd have to think for a while to formulate mine.

Part of me would support it as it would be a move toward the idea of a "Europe of 100 flags", which I find to be intriguing with its own set of implications. This would be a move toward decentralization, and a nod toward local governments, different economic policies and less tyrannical power structures. On the other hand, it would make migration difficult (I know you all are nodding your head in approval), but I like the freedom of being able to live and work in any EU country with an EU passport for my own personal enrichment. Also we must consider if the UK splits than how does that effect their relationship with other European countries, who could take advantage of the division of the once united British powerhouse? Not to mention, those third-world countries which were once under British administration could surpass their divided conquerors. What implications would this have for the British Commonwealth of Nations?

I know one thing that's for sure, the six counties of Northern Ireland could never hold their own against the united force of Irish republicans without support from Westminster in the form of spies, funds, troops, MI-5 and all sorts of cutting edge, newfangled technology. The Orangemen might actually have to stand on their own two feet for a change.

[Comte Arnau]

Yes. And other stateless nations in Europe too, as long as the majority of their people wanted so.

[Loki]

Scotland - yes. It will be beneficial for England, but most likely not in the interest of the Scots. Wales are England are more inseparable, it would seem. Maybe Arawn can offer an opinion there. Northern Ireland? Without the United Kingdom it would probably not be a viable country on its own -- unless of course incorporated into Eire.

[Poltergeist]

Yes. And other stateless nations in Europe too, as long as the majority of their people wanted so.

Do the majority of Catalans want it?

[007]

United we stand! up

Funny how so many on-line nationalists want the Union to breakup but salivate over forcing NI to join Ireland just because they are on the same island.

[Comte Arnau]

Do the majority of Catalans want it?

The 'democratic' Spanish Constitution doesn't allow the Catalans to even make a referendum about it, as they could do in Quebec.