[Tom]

N. Ireland and Scotland might have their own parliaments but they're ultimately ruled by England. Is there any point, other than historical reasons, to keep it as 4 separate countries instead of just integrating it all into one and downgrading England/Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland to regions?

[Judas]

Is this a serious post?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

Is this a serious post?

Yep. The UK is technically a country anyway and is governed as such. International relations (other than sport) also refer to us as the UK, so is there any reason to keep the 4 countries within?

[MTVN]

I dont really understand this, you're advocating that the UK's 4 consituent countries lose that title and they all just merge into one country ruled in Westminster?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I dont really understand this, you're advocating that the UK's 4 consituent countries lose that title and they all just merge into one country ruled in Westminster?

Thats what pretty much happens anyway...

I'm not saying it should happen, just wondering what other people think

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Tom

Thats what pretty much happens anyway...

I'm not saying it should happen, just wondering what other people think

Well I think the Scots, Welsh and N.Irish do have quite a lot of control over affair in their country. Just look at Uni fees as an example, the Scots dont have to pay tuition fees and the Welsh government are going to subsidise them should there be an increase. And then the Scottish government were also able to free the Lockerbie bomber.

I think they would be very resentful if they were solely governed by an English-dominated Parliament in London. What should happen is that we should have our own Parliament in England, and then Westminster should just be used for the issues that affect the UK as a whole

[Tom]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Well I think the Scots, Welsh and N.Irish do have quite a lot of control over affair in their country. Just look at Uni fees as an example, the Scots dont have to pay tuition fees and the Welsh government are going to subsidise them should there be an increase. And then the Scottish government were also able to free the Lockerbie bomber.

I think they would be very resentful if they were solely governed by an English-dominated Parliament in London. What should happen is that we should have our own Parliament in England, and then Westminster should just be used for the issues that affect the UK as a whole

Scottish Parliament can be overruled by Westminster which kind of defeats the object, and I agree with an English parliament in principle but with the English just being moaners you can picture a load of protests at English Parliament decisions and then it gets thrown back to Westminster anyway. Scottish Parliament is just really like each local authority (education, health, policing etc) rolled into one and with a little bit more power.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Tom

Scottish Parliament can be overruled by Westminster which kind of defeats the object, and I agree with an English parliament in principle but with the English just being moaners you can picture a load of protests at English Parliament decisions and then it gets thrown back to Westminster anyway. Scottish Parliament is just really like each local authority (education, health, policing etc) rolled into one and with a little bit more power.

Oh I hadnt realised that, can only see Westminster overruling them in extreme cases though

I think that sone decisions will only be relevant (or more relevant) to Scotland, though or to Wales. And when those kind of things are being decided at Westminster, it will essentially be decided by English MP's which doesnt seem very fair if you ask me.

[Patrick]

Okay, So you want Scotland and NI to be called England?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Dasher

Okay, So you want Scotland and NI to be called England?

No I don't want anything, I'm just putting the idea out there. Obviously 'UK' would be the name because thats a country already in existence.

[Lee.]

Oh dear God!

[Grimnir]

If it was upto me I would make Scotland and Wales totally separate countries but still part of the commonwealth similar to Australia etc

For Ireland Id say ****** it let em have it N Ireland is pointless country anyway

[keithafc]

Originally Posted by Grimnir

If it was upto me I would make Scotland and Wales totally separate countries but still part of the commonwealth similar to Australia etc

For Ireland Id say ****** it let em have it N Ireland is pointless country anyway

How is Northern Ireland a pointless country? Ulster is a wonderful place.

[Z]

No. In countries where distinct groups are thrown together under the banner of one country, they fight and they fight to get their own distinct identity back (see: South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Kosovo, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia... I could go on.) and it's such an English idea to unify everything as the United Kingdom - the Welsh, the Northern Irish and the Scottish are quite happy with their distinct national identities within the United Kingdom because we still have one.

[ILoveTRW]

England is the only country that can support itself. Scotland are just scroungers who are claiming independence half the time and then are begging england for billions.
Ireland is what any of the 3 countries will turn into with out England.

[Z]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

England is the only country that can support itself. Scotland are just scroungers who are claiming independence half the time and then are begging england for billions.
Ireland is what any of the 3 countries will turn into with out England.

Wow.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

England is the only country that can support itself. Scotland are just scroungers who are claiming independence half the time and then are begging england for billions.
Ireland is what any of the 3 countries will turn into with out England.

shut up.

[ILoveTRW]

Originally Posted by NingleBells

shut up.

Don't like the truth?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

Don't like the truth?

I don't like ignorant people.

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

England is the only country that can support itself. Scotland are just scroungers who are claiming independence half the time and then are begging england for billions.
Ireland is what any of the 3 countries will turn into with out England.

[Lee.]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

England is the only country that can support itself. Scotland are just scroungers who are claiming independence half the time and then are begging england for billions.
Ireland is what any of the 3 countries will turn into with out England.

oh.dear.god

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

England is the only country that can support itself. Scotland are just scroungers who are claiming independence half the time and then are begging england for billions.
Ireland is what any of the 3 countries will turn into with out England.

You have warped views, you know **** all about Ireland from what I've read here and in the past, stop being so Ignorant when talking about a country and have some common courtesy when you type.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

England is the only country that can support itself. Scotland are just scroungers who are claiming independence half the time and then are begging england for billions.
Ireland is what any of the 3 countries will turn into with out England.

Your so dim it's actually hysterical.

[ILoveTRW]

Originally Posted by Mr. Tinsels

Your so dim it's actually hysterical.

Sorry which university did you go to?
Oh wait you don't need any qualifications to be a full time druggie.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

Sorry which university did you go to?
Oh wait you don't need any qualifications to be a full time druggie.

The implication being that going to University automatically means you are a smart, well rounded individual? That must be one of the most baseless, frighteningly pretentious things you could possibly say in an argument.

I'm doing a course in film and TV production right now, dumbass. And smoking a bit of pot and drinking hardly makes you a 'full time druggie'.

You should know. You went to University. Bottom feeder.