The Disunited Kingdom
The debate over the union rages on
After a long winter lockdown, Britain is heading for its first coronavirus election. With nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales looking to make gains, the end of the Union may be closer than it appears.
Rocked by Brexit and COVID-19, the United Kingdom is now bracing for the results of local elections. In Wales, nationalists are hoping to take advantage of an increase in pro-independence views after the Brexit referendum: 'From the perspective of Welsh home rule or Welsh independence. I think Brexiteers are more to be thanked than blamed. The fact that they are moving against the small measure of self-government that Wales has at the moment is forcing people to choose their side', says historian Owain Jones. In Scotland, the Scottish Nationalist Party remains popular and in control of the devolved parliament. 'Scotland is very much our model, and if Scotland goes independent, then I really do think that there will be nothing to hold us back then', says Welsh nationalist Duncan Brown. Despite the SNP's strength, most polls still point to Scots wanting to remain in the union by a small margin. Scottish Conservative MP John Lamont: 'Scots will recognize the great benefits of being part of a strong United Kingdom and they recognize what they contribute to the entirety of the UK as well'.
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