THE UK has not been around in its current form for long and there is “nothing to say” it will stay, a social history expert has said.
Dr Kate Bradley, reader in social history and social policy at the University of Kent, also said supporters of the Union “have a lot of work to do” in thinking about why people are turning towards independence.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on the issue of identity ahead of the Wales versus England World Cup football match, she was asked by host Nicky Campbell what would be the future of the Union in 20 or 30 years’ time - with independence support around 50% in Scotland, 30% in Wales and younger generation in Northern Ireland more comfortable with the idea of unification.
READ MORE: Here's how to subscribe to The National for FOUR months for ONE pound
She said: “On the one hand here in 2022 we think a lot about the United Kingdom, but it is important to bear in mind that its current state has barely been around for 100 years, with Irish independence and Northern Ireland remaining within the Union.
“So on the one hand, particularly on the back of things like I suppose, the idea of Britishness following the end of the Second World War and Union Jacks and all that kind of celebration of Britain in that way, the United Kingdom hasn’t been around for all that long in its current phase and there’s nothing to say that it will stay that way.”
READ MORE: Commission set to release first findings on case for Welsh indy
She added: “For those who think it is important to keep the United Kingdom, they have got a lot of work to do in thinking about what is it that is attracting people to be independent, and what is it that the current system isn’t doing.”
Bradley said the fortunes of the England and Wales have been more closely entwined compared to Scotland and Northern Ireland, which joined the Union later.
On the issue of why there might be more political impetus to independence in Scotland than Wales, she said this was “possibly” due to more English people living in Wales.
She added: “Certainly Scottish independence would be easier to achieve from an institutional point of view than Welsh would at this precise point in time.
“Scotland has got a Parliament, Wales has got an assembly – they have got different kinds of powers.
READ MORE: Wales' World Cup song 'gives nod to independence movement'
“Scotland has more independence with the banking system, it has its own legal system, its education system is different, it has its own NHS and welfare state.
“We often talk about the British welfare state, but that is just not true because Scotland and increasingly Wales have their own control of that.”
She added: “There are English people who live in Wales and Scotland and there are Welsh and Scottish people who live in England, but as to people’s attitudes on independence that depends on where they are and what benefits they see for Wales or Scotland being independent.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel