The United Kingdom is made up of four countries – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The two countries share a state, monarchy, currency and many institutions but each has its distinct history, culture and political identity.
For decades there has been desire for greater self-government in Scotland and Wales. Some want devolution, some want their nations to be countries. Reasons are complicated and differ person to person, political party to political party and generation to generation.
Why do some people in Scotland and Wales want independence or more autonomy ? What is the historical backdrop of these movements ? What do supporters and opponents argue ? This article provides an explanation .
Scotland and Wales: Separate Nations in the UK
And Scotland and Wales have their own national identities that go back a long way before the foundation of the present United Kingdom.
Scotland has its own law and education systems, and national institutions, cultural traditions and historical identity. Wales has its own language, culture and national history as well, with Welsh an official language in Wales.
Both countries have decentralised governments. The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh has wide jurisdiction over subjects like health, education and justice. The Welsh Parliament or Senedd has power over a number of devolved subjects also.
But the UK Parliament in Westminster retains crucial authorities like defence, foreign affairs and many parts of taxation and welfare.
The big question for independence advocates is whether Scotland and Wales should be able to make all the big choices independently.
Why do Scotland want independence?
Scotland has one of the strongest independence movements in the UK.
The contemporary Scottish independence discourse became a prominent issue with the formation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and reached a critical point with the Scottish independence referendum in 2014.
That referendum asked voters if Scotland should be a sovereign country. The result was something like 55% voted to stay in the UK and 45% voted for independence.
The vote greatly enhanced political activity on the constitutional issue, but Scotland remained part of the United Kingdom.
A Robust Sense of National Identity
One big reason some Scots want independence is national identity.
Many people are strongly Scottish as well as British. Others regard Scottish nationality as their primary national identity and think Scotland should have its own sovereign state.
Pro-independence campaigners say that Scotland possesses the institutions and resources needed to operate as an independent country.
They cite Scotland’s natural resources, universities, financial sector, energy industry, tourism and cultural clout as proof the country could potentially rule itself.
Westminister Political Differences
Politics is another big aspect of the debate – the disparities between Scotland and Westminster.
In elections, Scotland’s people have often delivered a different result to England. For example the Scottish National Party (SNP) dominated Scottish politics for many years.
Independence supporters claim that the UK governments can influence Scotland even when Scottish voters have backed alternative political beliefs.
This has become a more general question concerning democratic representation: should choices that impact Scotland be made by representatives who are elected in Scotland?
Critics say the UK-wide institutions bring economic and political benefits and that Scotland already has significant powers under devolution.
The Brexit and Scottish Independence Debate
Brexit has brought a another major dimension to the independence discussion.
In the 2016 EU referendum, Scotland voted by a significant majority to stay in the European Union, while the UK as a whole chose to exit.
This led to a constitutional issue which still resonates in Scottish politics today.
Pro-independence activists say Scotland was dragged out of the European Union against the wishes of the majority of voters in Scotland.
For some independence advocates, independence is therefore a feasible road back to restoring a relationship with the European Union.
But independence would also raise problems about Scotland’s future relationship with the UK and the EU including trade, borders, currency and membership arrangements.
These problems continue to be at the heart of the debate for and against independence.
Economic Problems in Scotland
Economics is among the most critical facets of the independence issue.
Supporters claim an independent Scotland could adopt economic policies to suit Scottish conditions. They believe decisions on taxation, energy, industry and public spending could be determined on the basis of Scotland’s own priorities.
Scotland has important energy resources with oil and gas reserves in the North Sea and a large potential for renewable energy.
But independence sceptics doubt how Scotland would manage public finances as an independent state.
They cover a range of subjects including government expenditure, taxation, public debt, pensions, currency and commerce with the rest of the UK.
The economic problem is not an easy one. Supporters and opponents of independence interpret the economic facts available to them differently, and make various assumptions about Scotland’s future.
Why is Wales pushing for more independence?
The Welsh constitutional discussion is not the same as Scotland’s, but there are parallels.
Support for Welsh independence has always been less than for Scottish independence. However the subject has become more and more evident in Welsh political conversation.
Plaid Cymru (the main Welsh nationalist party) campaigns for Welsh self-government and independence.
Culture and the Welsh Language
Language and cultural identity are significant aspects of Welsh nationalism.
The Welsh language has been around for centuries and is still a very important aspect of the national identity. It is taught in schools and used in public life, in media and government.
Some supporters of increased Welsh autonomy say that it is easier to defend and expand Welsh culture and language when political decisions are made in Wales.
They say Wales should have more authority over education, broadcasting, economic development and cultural policy.
But many strong supporters of Welsh culture are not necessarily in favour of independence. A constitutional preference is not equivalent to cultural pride.
Representation in politics
The third argument concerns Wales’s relationship with Westminster.
Wales has its own devolved government and parliament . The Welsh government does not have as many powers as the UK government .
Campaigners for independence say Wales should be able to govern sectors like taxation, welfare, justice and other matters presently restricted to Westminster.
Only a completely independent Welsh government would be directly accountable to Welsh voters for a considerably wider variety of decisions, they say.
Critics of independence say Wales benefits from being part of the wider UK economy and from money transferred between areas of the country.
Economic Issues in Wales
The Welsh discussion is also very much about economic development.
various portions of Wales have historically been less economically productive and have lower average economic production than various parts of southern England.
Backers of independence say Wales could create economic policies suited to Welsh businesses, infrastructure and communities.
They say judgements could be better attuned to Welsh economic demands than those taken in a UK-wide context.
Its critics say Wales benefits from being part of the wider UK economy, with shared public services, investment mechanisms and fiscal transfers.
Like Scotland, the economic implications of independence would depend on many decisions to be taken in the future, and can’t be boiled down to a simple formula.
Independence is not the same as devolution.
Nope.
Devolution means that some powers have been given from the UK Parliament to the governments in Scotland or Wales but the countries are still part of the United Kingdom.
Independence would mean independent sovereign countries.
And now Scotland has wide-ranging devolved powers , and Wales has devolved institutions .
Some consequently advocate a compromise in which the United Kingdom stays together but Scotland and Wales have significantly more powers over taxation, expenditure and law.
This is frequently referred to as greater autonomy or federalism, depending on the constitutional arrangement suggested.
Why are some people against independence?
The argument is not just between nationalism and unionism.
The anti-independence side usually makes many arguments:
Integration of economies
The economy of Scotland and Wales is tightly interwoven with the greater UK economy.
Trade takes place over internal UK borders, individuals move between the nations to work and study and monetary systems are intimately integrated.
Critics say independence will only create further economic and administrative obstacles.
Common Institutions
The UK has collective institutions in areas including defence, foreign policy and monetary arrangements.
Proponents of unions say that these common systems bring stability and worldwide prestige.
Uncertainty .
“Independence would mean negotiating lots of questions.
These might include state debt, pensions, citizenship, borders, trade, currency, military assets and international institutions.
Critics say that confusion about these concerns is in itself a major consideration.
Can Scotland or Wales really leave the UK?
Leaving the United Kingdom would require major constitutional and political changes.
Scotland has previously had an independence vote, while Wales has not had a referendum on independence.
The legal and political processes necessary for independence would depend on future legislation, talks and political agreements.
A vote on its own would not address all the practical issues required in setting up a new independent state.
Why does the debate matter?
The discussion concerning Scotland and Wales is really about how best to structure political authority.
Proponents of independence often argue that decisions which affect Scotland or Wales should be taken largely by governments accountable to the people in those countries.
Supporters of the union usually argue that the four nations win economically, politically and socially from being part of one sovereign entity.
In between those perspectives are people who want further decentralisation but not independence.
So the question is not whether Scotland or Wales “likes” or “dislikes” the United Kingdom. It contains questions on democracy, national identity, economic policy, cultural preservation, political representation and the distribution of power.
Summary
There are many reasons why some people in Scotland and Wales want to leave the United Kingdom.
National identity, political disagreements with Westminster, the powers of the Scottish Parliament, Brexit and discussions about Scotland’s economic future have all driven the Scottish independence movement.
In Wales the debate has become increasingly focused on national identity, the Welsh language, political representation, economic progress and calls for greater control over Welsh matters.
At the same time, many in both countries still back the UK, believing the benefits of shared institutions, economic integration and political collaboration outweigh the arguments for independence.
The constitutional future of Scotland and Wales is therefore a key issue for British politics. Ultimately, whether the future holds further devolution, a different relationship within the UK or more debate on independence is a matter for voters, administrations and future constitutional decisions.