Quote:
Originally Posted by Northumbrian
Lots of Australians have English and Scottish heritage, yet Australia is an independent country. Ditto Canada and New Zealand.
Half of my family is from Scotland but I want English independence. The demographics mean sweet FA!
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Maybe so. It is not a big deal to me but it is to some people. I merely pointed out that we have been through much together with such an intertwined history, in so many ways, including living together on this one island, that advocating separation has to have a compelling reason. I have not discovered what that compelling reason is yet.
As it happens, I went to the theatre this evening and saw a play by the National Theatre of Scotland about the Scottish regiment, the Black Watch (performed in England, I hasten to add). It was not only a stunning play but also a nice reminder of the great contribution that one part of our union has made in our common struggle over three centuries.
OK, if you don't think that is important I won't persuade you otherwise, but I don't share this English 'national identity' that you seem to think is so important. I don't actually think the idea of national identity, British or English, should be the driving force behind political life, so I am not going to get into a 'British' vs 'English' debates. I simply think that the Union has some merits and has served us well over the years - that's about it.