English Independence is Impossible
England Does Not Exist
Brexit will not bring about English Independence since England will still be a region of the United Kingdom. The Secretary of State for Scotland has said Scotland was swallowed up in the United Kingdom in 1707. It follows that England was also swallowed up by the United Kingdom.
Since England does not exist – if the Secretary of State for Scotland is correct – it cannot become independent. Scotland can become independent: It has its own laws and government which would let it negotiate secession from the UK with the United Kingdom parliament in Westminster. England has no such parliament. Wales has its own assembly that could also negotiate secession if it wished, but England has no such negotiating body, nor is there any appetite in Westminster to create such a body.
Scotland Will Prevent Brexit
If by English Independence you mean Brexit, remember that Scotland voted to remain in the EU. It now looks as if Scotland’s clearly stated wish to remain in the EU will result in the cancellation of Brexit. As long as Scotland and England are both in the UK Scotland will work to prevent Brexit.
Don’t blame the Scots guy or girl at work or in the street. Blame the leaders and MPs of the two main parties.
The Union Cannot be Dissolved
The United Kingdom has said only the Scottish People have the power to dissolve the Union between England and Scotland. It is a strange union where one side lacks the power to dissolve it. Especially as Westminster seems determined to prevent Scotland exercising an opinion on whether they wish the union to continue.
It is extremely unlikely that Westminster will ask Scotland to dissolve the Union, especially after Mrs May has gone to such effort to preservie it.
Dissolution of the United Kingdom therefore seems impossible at this time. As I said above England lacks its own parliament so there is nobody to negotiate secession of England from the United Kingdom. If English MPs in Westminster tried to secede this when England had not declared independence it would result in the absurd situation where the United Kingdom was negotiating with itself.
Theresa May Wants To Cancel Brexit In Order To Preserve the United Kingdom
Theresa May, currently Prime Minster of the UK, has fudged and delayed Brexit in order to preserve the United Kingdom. She will continue to do so, despite claims England subsidises Scotland. She will do this as long as she is in power and will prevent England getting its own parliament, let alone becoming independent. It is possible that if Boris Johnson becomes Prime Minister he will find a way for England to become independent. Just don’t hold your breath.
A Way Forward: An English Independence Party in Parliament
It is probable Brexit will result in the end of the United Kingdom, even if it is cancelled. The problems with England leaving the UK before that happens can be solved given the political will. I see no evidence that this political will is there in Westminster or that it is the will of the English people. That popular will must be built from the ground up with a new English Independence Party whose MPs are elected to Westminster.
