Is this the start of the breakup of the UK?

[Mainad]

The Orkney Islands want to rejoin Norway (of which they were a part until the 15th century) :

Orkney council to look at proposals to become territory of Norway

The islands' councillors will consider a motion to investigate alternative forms of governance.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[tennis3]

 

[optic yellow]

Orkney was under Norwegian and Danish control until 1472, when the islands were given to Scotland as security for Margaret of Denmark’s dowry on her marriage to King James III of Scotland.

lol

 

[tennishabit]

ukcrying war spreading across europe:?)).........

 

[vokazu]

Scotland should be an independent nation. Then UK won't have men's tennis multiple Gold medalist anymore.

 

[chrischris]

No idea .

 

[Crocodile]

Orkney Islands- bloody cold place. Population of a small country town;

 

[Larry Duff]

What will the Shetland Islands do?

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

What will the Shetland Islands do?

They will, no doubt, keep breeding ponies & sheepdogs

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

The Orkney Islands want to rejoin Norway (of which they were a part until the 15th century) :

Orkney council to look at proposals to become territory of Norway

The islands' councillors will consider a motion to investigate alternative forms of governance.

www.bbc.co.uk

Hardly the start.

It’s been happening for a while. In the late 19th century, Canada, Australia & New Zealand were granted self-governing status. In the early 1920s, the Irish Free State seceded from the UK. In 1947, India & Pakistan were granted independence. In. 1997, Hong Kong & the New Territories were handed back over to China.

 

[Slicehand]

The black alien project will avoid it

 

[Gizo]

I think that at this point, Northern Ireland leaving the UK / Irish reunification is certainly conceivable, and more likely than Scottish independence.

I believe that support for Scottish independence was only at 28% when Cameron agreed to hold the 2014 referendum (thinking that there was no chance of him being on the losing side), before it briefly held the lead 10 days or so before polling day. I gather that a lot of people who voted for the SNP during their landslide win in the 2011 Scottish elections, actually opposed independence. The issue surfaced again due to Brexit, with more people voting to remain in the EU than leave in all 32 Scottish council areas (it’s fair to say against that backdrop that overall Scotland was dragged out of the EU against its will), alongside Scotland consistently being lumbered with Tory Westminster governments that they don’t want. But the recent SNP chaos looks to have severely damaged support for independence.

 

[chrischris]

Seems like the old elites made the UK leave the EU so this maybe a minimal loss.

 

[WYK]

I think that at this point, Northern Ireland leaving the UK / Irish reunification is certainly conceivable, and more likely than Scottish independence.

I believe that support for Scottish independence was only at 28% when Cameron agreed to hold the 2014 referendum (thinking that there was no chance of him being on the losing side), before it briefly held the lead 10 days or so before polling day. I gather that a lot of people who voted for the SNP during their landslide win in the 2011 Scottish elections, actually opposed independence. The issue surfaced again due to Brexit, with more people voting to remain in the EU than leave in all 32 Scottish council areas (it’s fair to say against that backdrop that overall Scotland was dragged out of the EU against its will), alongside Scotland consistently being lumbered with Tory Westminster governments that they don’t want (the Tories best vote share in But the recent SNP chaos looks to have severely damaged support for independence.

The issue with this is most people in the Republic of Ireland aren't too sure they want loonies marching up and down the streets beating drums every summer. At least as now, they stay up north.

As for the Scots, many of them solely voted to remain due to the UK being in the EU. Another vote might be interesting.
Still, it won't improve their weather any, so dunno how they might approach it.

 

[Mainad]

Hardly the start.

It’s been happening for a while. In the late 19th century, Canada, Australia & New Zealand were granted self-governing status. In the early 1920s, the Irish Free State seceded from the UK. In 1947, India & Pakistan were granted independence. In. 1997, Hong Kong & the New Territories were handed back over to China.

Lol.....I'm talking about the United Kingdom (ie. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) not the former colonies of the long defunct British Empire!!

 

[Mainad]

Scotland should be an independent nation. Then UK won't have men's tennis multiple Gold medalist anymore.

Yes they will because Murray was British at the time he won those (and may still choose to remain so) and that can't be changed.

 

[TheNachoMan]

I hope so. Britain only benefits one party. Its like a toxic and abusive relationship.

 

[Gizo]

The issue with this is most people in the Republic of Ireland aren't too sure they want loonies marching up and down the streets beating drums every summer. At least as now, they stay up north.

As for the Scots, many of them solely voted to remain due to the UK being in the EU. Another vote might be interesting.
Still, it won't improve their weather any, so dunno how they might approach it.

Yes a major campaigning point of the 'No' campaign in 2014, was that a vote to leave the UK was also a vote to leave the EU. Cameron and Osborne adopted the same negative campaigning tactics in both 2014 and 2016, making a series of dire warnings about the impacts of leaving the UK / the EU, but both times it went down badly. The leader of the Scottish Conservative party at the time, Ruth Davidson (who was a major reason why they made a revival in Scotland) was angry, and apparently told them to shut up and stay away in 2014. Then literally the morning after that divisive 2014 referendum, Cameron delivered a reckless and ridiculous 'English votes for English laws' speech in Downing Street, which basically helped widen the divisions instead of heal them, and was a god send for the SNP.

I personally think that a second Scottish independence referendum is justified, given that the last 3 Scottish parliamentary elections in 2011, 2016 and 2021 have produced a majority of MSPs in Holyrood that support independence (the SNP plus Scottish Greens), plus the fact the UK was an EU member state in 2014 while of course it isn't now, which is definitely a hugely significant change in circumstances.

 

[Mainad]

Orkney's proposals would break up Scotland not just the UK.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

@NothingButNet

Lol.....I'm talking about the United Kingdom (ie. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) not the former colonies of the long defunct British Empire!!

From what I understand, the name "United Kingdom ..." is well over 2 centuries old. The term, United Kingdom, became official in 1801. At that time, it included all of Ireland, not just Northern Ireland.

 

[Larry Duff]

It's mess but still way more United than some other countries using that term

 

[chrischris]

It's mess but still way more United than some other countries using that term

Like the 2 red machines in the East...or?

 

[Sudacafan]

Orkney Islands- bloody cold place. Population of a small country town;

What will the Shetland Islands do?

What will the South Shetland Islands and the South Orkney Islands do?

 

[Sudacafan]

What will the Shetland Islands do?

We should ask Srsh. He is an honorary citizen of the Sh1tland Islands.

 

[TTMR]

Scotland and Ireland are both the rightful property of the Commonwealth of Great Britain and subsist under the exclusive dominion of His Majesty, King Charles III.

 

[optic yellow]

You mean all of Ireland or just Northern Ireland?

It wouldn't be TTMR Brand® trolling if he meant just Northern Ireland.

 

[TTMR]

You mean all of Ireland or just Northern Ireland?

The island of Ireland and the worldwide diaspora of Irish peoples belong, as dutiful subjects, under the glorious Realm of the British Empire and Its beloved Sovereign.