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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016.Calls emerge for new Scotland independence referendum; Sinn Fein wants Irish unity vote
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kcjapan
Scotland, a nation of five million people, voted decisively to stay in the EU by 62 to 38 percent in a referendum on Thursday, putting it at odds with the United Kingdom as a whole, which voted 52-48 in favor of an exit from the EU, or Brexit.
"L'Union fait la force" - "In Unity, Strength"
Where does Britain lead?
CrazyJoe
Scottish leader vows to seek second independence referendum +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I knew that would be part of the immediate fallout from Brexit. Not only will the UK breakoff from Europe but Scotland and probably Northern Ireland will break off from the UK.
Lizz
Scotland sees the end of welfare if not in the EU. That is hard to give up once you’re on it. How long the EU will be around is the next question.
LostinNagoya
Well, England had it coming. I wonder what new bad news could happen to the island? An AKB48 tour? Donald Trump marrying Prince Andrew?
bass4funk
Hopefully, not too long.
SenseNotSoCommon
Sinn Féin might be advised to let the hare sit.
Scottish independence will do more than any Irish border poll to influence Northern Ireland's Leave voters, many of whom live a short ferry trip away from their ancestral home and identify as Ulster Scots.
Hiberno-Scots partnership in building an English-speaking region of educational, cultural and technological excellence in the EU would be a world beater. The political structures to begin it already exist as part of the Irish peace process.
It's a low-risk no-brainer that can finally bring three closely entwined regions (who all love Glasgow's Old Firm football rivalry) into a forward-thinking, post-sectarian future.
smithinjapan
"Make Britain Stronger" is going to see the UK become non-existent. Well done, "leave" camp.
MarkG
Britain was strong prior to the EU, what will change now Smith? Britain will remain strong as I see it, perhaps stronger.
Black Sabbath
Good for Scotland.
They know where there bread is buttered.
SenseNotSoCommon
Britain was the sick man of Europe before joining the EU.
Lizz
They have been in the EU and before that the European Common Market since the 1950's, so you would have to go back pre war and that is impossible to compare in today's terms. They will be smaller, weaker and probably poorer but so will every other country that leaves. Then again, there hasn't been British dominance in Europe since WW1.
SenseNotSoCommon
Britain (along with Ireland and Denmark) joined the Common Market in 1973, not before.
Jimizo
Britain left the EU after 60 years of membership as the white, rightwing middle class vented their fury against immigration and the politically correct left wing.
I suppose the ignorant will read into this what they want to read. Who needs facts when you support Trump?
bass4funk
Looks more like Trump was right, don't have to support him, but the EU has proven so far to be an utter failure and you have just witnessed the slow disintegration of it. Hopefully, Germany will get some sense and do the same thing.
Lizz
Britain (along with Ireland and Denmark) joined the Common Market in 1973, not before.
You are right. But I believe they were in a free trade association with one or more of those countries before that. (Maybe from the '60's ?).
albaleo
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The UK was a founding member in 1960 along with six other non-EEC member countries. (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland)
SenseNotSoCommon
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, Ian Paisley Jr. son of the (pro-British) Unionist firebrand, has advised those of his constituents eligible for a "second" (read Irish) passport to apply for one.
https://twitter.com/ianpaisleymp/status/746316224024481792
Is orange the new green?
M3M3M3
William Wallace said it best: "They can take our lives, but they will never take our freedom [of movement]".
badsey3
-That's not true independence or sovereignty. Why not switch to silver or gold coinage and/or an electronic system.
albaleo
@SenseNotSoCommon
Thanks for the link. Interesting times. His dad was an MEP for a long time, with an interesting track record for disrupting proceedings. While I'm sure he still rants in his grave, he might have been disappointed to lose a venue for giving his opinion. Ulster's Donald Trump. (YouTube link just for nostalgia's sake.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zSWlAHD29M
SenseNotSoCommon
Albaleo: the man had far more class than Trump could dream of. Though his attacks on Papism and equality made him the IRA's best recruiting sergeant, Catholic constituents requiring his help as MP sang his praises. Towards his twilight, Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin developed a genuine friendship with Paisley and his wife Eileen.
It was this softening of the former demagogue - sharing political power and laughter with a sworn enemy - that was to be Paisley's downfall: ousted from a party he founded and led for decades but that couldn't quite divorce itself from the politics of division.
When Ian Jr. is peddling Guinness Books (the Irish passport bears a harp), however, the world has truly turned upside down. Great opportunities exist for Alba and Erin to forge a confident, post-sectarian future to which even the Ulster Leavers will be happy to aspire.
albaleo
You're right, and I'd like to withdraw my flippant comment. I hated Ian Paisley's politics, but he had integrity. And as you say, he cared for his constituents.
SenseNotSoCommon
Ulster's Donald Trump was pretty accurate. But as the man matured, his ego lessened and he became more pragmatic. Many of his followers did, though, use the term 'Mexican' to disparage their neighbours.
I do hope Brexit has shocked them - like us - into recognising the fallacy, folly and fragility of identity.