Separatism in the United Kingdom
Separatism in the United Kingdom may refer to the secession of any of the countries of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) from the union. Less significant movements for separatism within England also exist.
Major movements
England
On the political level, some
The English Democrats are an English nationalist political party that call for the creation of a devolved English Parliament within a federal UK.
Scotland
Scottish independence is supported most prominently by the
Irish reunification
Northern Ireland, like Scotland, voted to Remain in the
Wales
Welsh independence (
Minor movements
Cornwall
The Celtic League and Celtic Congress have a Cornish branch and recognise Cornwall as a Celtic Nation alongside the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany. The league is a political pressure group that campaigns for independence and Celtic cooperation.[4] Mebyon Kernow is a regional party in Cornwall that promotes Cornish nationalism.[5]
Independent Northern Ireland
Independence has been supported by groups such as
London
London independence, sometimes shortened to Londependence,[6] refers to a belief favouring full-fledged independence for London as a city-state, separate from the United Kingdom.
North of England
Northern Independence refers to a belief favouring independence for the
Orkney
In July 2023,
Shetland
A movement called
In September 2020 the Shetland Islands Council voted in favour of exploring options for "financial and political self-determination", stating that the islands' reliance on Scotland was "seriously threatening the prosperity, and even basic sustainability, of Shetland as a community."[13]
Other parts of England
Yorkshire, Mercia (the Midlands), Wessex (southernmost England) and Northumbria (centred on North East England) are other areas considered in media as potential areas for separation prior to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.[14]
References
- ^ Dickie, Mure (27 June 2017). "Sturgeon postpones plans for second Scottish independence referendum". Financial Times. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ Martin, Lorna (10 October 2004). "Holyrood survives birth pains". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
- ^ "Now, IRA stands for I Renounce Arms". The Economist. 28 July 2005.
- ^ "The Celtic League". Retrieved 20 March 2015.
- ^ "Mebyon Kernow - The Party for Cornwall".
- ^ "'Londependence' May Be a Dream, but More Autonomy for the City Is Not". The New York Times. 28 June 2016.
- ^ Colin Drury (3 November 2020). "An independent north? What an England severed in two might look like". The Independent. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- Kamila Rymajdo. "How the North of England Could Gain Independence". Vice. Retrieved 6 November 2020. - ^ "Should the north have independence from Westminster?". Youtube. talkRadio. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ Gilchrist, Karen (3 July 2023). "Scotland's iconic Orkney Islands considering quitting Britain to become part of Norway". CNBC. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Draft Constitution". Wir Shetland. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017.
- EURACTIV. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ Waldie, Paul (18 September 2020). "Council vote gives boost to Shetland Islands' push for independence from Scotland". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Scottish independence: Could areas of England leave the UK?". BBC News. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2023.