[Nedusa]

Sounds to me like the current state of politics favours a devolved UK, the SNP will push this as their main issue and regardless of how much power they win next week their main priority will still be Scotland and its future not the future of the UK . Similarly in Wales the plaid Cymru party have really only Wales at heart and again all their politics will be to push the agenda for a move devolved govt and stronger powers for Wales .

This leaves the two main parties labour and conservative who I think have the majority of their vote from England and could be looked on as English parties.

The union I think is suffering politically as if you are British and Scottish your primary concern is Scotland not the UK similarly in Wales or Northern Ireland this also applies.

But to be English and be a fervent supporter of England is kinda lost as it gets mixed into being British almost as if being British trumps being English . The English identity is almost overshadowed by being the major player in the United kingdom.

I think our politics and our Westminster parliament are blurred by this problem and that in the future we may need 4 parliaments including an English only parliament with perhaps a federal parliament to discuss UK only issues.

The world is changing and I think the face of the UK is also changing and we may need to seriously reflect on the future of politics in these islands in the forthcoming decades.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Nedusa

Sounds to me like the current state of politics favours a devolved UK, the SNP will push this as their main issue and regardless of how much power they win next week their main priority will still be Scotland and its future not the future of the UK . Similarly in Wales the plaid Cymru party have really only Wales at heart and again all their politics will be to push the agenda for a move devolved govt and stronger powers for Wales .

This leaves the two main parties labour and conservative who I think have the majority of their vote from England and could be looked on as English parties.

The union I think is suffering politically as if you are British and Scottish your primary concern is Scotland not the UK similarly in Wales or Northern Ireland this also applies.

But to be English and be a fervent supporter of England is kinda lost as it gets mixed into being British almost as if being British trumps being English . The English identity is almost overshadowed by being the major player in the United kingdom.

I think our politics and our Westminster parliament are blurred by this problem and that in the future we may need 4 parliaments including an English only parliament with perhaps a federal parliament to discuss UK only issues.

The world is changing and I think the face of the UK is also changing and we may need to seriously reflect on the future of politics in these islands in the forthcoming decades.

The problem is Nedusa that being british is really about being English and always has been simply by the size of England and the fact you have the biggest city by miles and the government/monarchy

Its easy to love britain and the union when you are 10x as big as the other countries. You dont notice all the things that piss off the scots and welsh etc



The breakup is inevitable and has already started

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Nedusa

Sounds to me like the current state of politics favours a devolved UK, the SNP will push this as their main issue and regardless of how much power they win next week their main priority will still be Scotland and its future not the future of the UK . Similarly in Wales the plaid Cymru party have really only Wales at heart and again all their politics will be to push the agenda for a move devolved govt and stronger powers for Wales .

This leaves the two main parties labour and conservative who I think have the majority of their vote from England and could be looked on as English parties.

The union I think is suffering politically as if you are British and Scottish your primary concern is Scotland not the UK similarly in Wales or Northern Ireland this also applies.

But to be English and be a fervent supporter of England is kinda lost as it gets mixed into being British almost as if being British trumps being English . The English identity is almost overshadowed by being the major player in the United kingdom.

I think our politics and our Westminster parliament are blurred by this problem and that in the future we may need 4 parliaments including an English only parliament with perhaps a federal parliament to discuss UK only issues.

The world is changing and I think the face of the UK is also changing and we may need to seriously reflect on the future of politics in these islands in the forthcoming decades.

There is no "English identity" BECAUSE it has always (or at least for so long that it might as well be always) been the major player within Britain. English national identity = British national identity, there is very little difference between the two. There are LOCAL identites within England, especially further North (Yorkshire, Lancashire, "Geordies" in Newcastle and surrounding areas, etc.) but they are all very distinct from each other and have their own quirks and traditions, which sort of goes with what you're saying about UK politics and devolution. England as a united whole doesn't have any real sort of identity, whereas Scotland, Wales and Ireland all do...

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

There is no "English identity" BECAUSE it has always (or at least for so long that it might as well be always) been the major player within Britain. English national identity = British national identity, there is very little difference between the two. There are LOCAL identites within England, especially further North (Yorkshire, Lancashire, "Geordies" in Newcastle and surrounding areas, etc.) but they are all very distinct from each other and have their own quirks and traditions, which sort of goes with what you're saying about UK politics and devolution. England as a united whole doesn't have any real sort of identity, whereas Scotland, Wales and Ireland all do...

Another really great post TS.