English Referendum?

GiantMike

Should there be an English Referendum to leave the UK? This would be open to English people about the future of England.

We could set up our own English Parliament to make decisions on English issues which would be free from interference West and North of the borders.

nevman

Sounds like Magna Carta again.Good point,we dont seem to have a voice anymore do we?Or a parliament, unlike west and north.

Yossie

What/who do you define as "English"? WASPs or is there another definition?

<toddles off to get pork scratchings and ale, sits back in comfy chair ......... >

pb21

Yossie wrote:

What/who do you define as "English"? WASPs or is there another definition?

<toddles off to get pork scratchings and ale, sits back in comfy chair ......... >

Sh1t weather
Sh1t roads
David Cameron
Violent hooligans abroad
Xenophobia
The Daily Mail
Eastenders

Actually I prefer to be lumped together with Wales and Scotland to spread the misery around more.

nevman

Yossie wrote:

What/who do you define as "English"? WASPs or is there another definition?

<toddles off to get pork scratchings and ale, sits back in comfy chair ......... >

Anyone living in England-we`re basically all imigrants here,its just a matter of timing.
Characteristics,different matter.

GSOH
Liberal tradition
Innovation and adventurers
Beer drinkers,not Med wine scoffers..

zippypablo

Yea sounds like a good idea.
What about the Commonwealth and colonies like the Falklands?

Of course, if the English never invaded these places long ago then it wouldn't be an issue :twisted:

zippypablo

Yossie wrote:

What/who do you define as "English"? WASPs or is there another definition?

<toddles off to get pork scratchings and ale, sits back in comfy chair ......... >

Round this neck of the woods some people think of themselves as Yorkshire first and then English!

Ginjafro

Yawn....I live in Cornwall, somewhere near England.

nevman

Thats very English then!Localism!!

verylonglegs

Ginjafro wrote:

Yawn....I live in Cornwall, somewhere near England.

Why does living in Cornwall make you feel tired?

petemadoc

I grew up in England and I now live in Wales.

Over the past 20+ years I think there's been a decline in solidarity between the countries in the UK. People wouldn't be seen dead in Wales waving a Union Jack today but my wife has some old photos of local festivals and there are Union Jacks all over the streets. As A kid we would always support Scotland, Wales etc in the football rugby or whatever sport. It seems more the fashion these days to support the opposing team to our neighbours.

All a bit sad and strange really.

Common on people, group hug! Who cares who runs the country, their all to55ers anyway.

F'kin hate the French though

GiantMike

I was in a pub in St Andrews during the 2002 World Cup. All the Scots in the pub were supporting Argentina rather than England.

I guess if you can't qualify you need to support somebody, but the Argentinians?

ilm_zero7

leave europe first - then leave the UK... in fact can we move england to somewhere warmer?

ddraver

PeteMadoc wrote:

I grew up in England and I now live in Wales.

Over the past 20+ years I think there's been a decline in solidarity between the countries in the UK. People wouldn't be seen dead in Wales waving a Union Jack today but my wife has some old photos of local festivals and there are Union Jacks all over the streets. As A kid we would always support Scotland, Wales etc in the football rugby or whatever sport. It seems more the fashion these days to support the opposing team to our neighbours.

All a bit sad and strange really.

Common on people, group hug! Who cares who runs the country, their all to55ers anyway.

F'kin hate the French though

I lived in Wales for the last 3 years before moving over to NL. I could nt walk down the street in an england rugby shirt without getting some abuse - Fine you might say, you are in Wales....

During the FIFA World Cup, the WHOLE PLACE was plastered in England Flags, and I mean everywhere! People were wearing England shirts, Stupid hats, scarves, everything.

This did lead to one of my favourite ever moments though when some Meathead started to give me a filthy look and some abuse because of my England Rugby Shirt only to look down and remember he was wearing and England Football Shirt - The look of total confusion on his face was just brilliant!!!

MattC59

GiantMike wrote:

I was in a pub in St Andrews during the 2002 World Cup. All the Scots in the pub were supporting Argentina rather than England.

I guess if you can't qualify you need to support somebody, but the Argentinians?

That's typical of the Welsh and the scots though (at least the ones I know).
I find that the English will happily support the home nations in a rugby match, before anyone else, but the Scots and Welsh would rather support anyone but the English.

I think it's down to the fact that they're hanging onto the fantasy that they're still living in the middle ages (although, looking at parts of Scotland, I can understand that)

Ron Stuart

stephen leacock (1869-1944) - canadian humourist

"American politicians do anything for money... English politicians take the money and won't do anything ".

Gazzetta67

GiantMike wrote:

I was in a pub in St Andrews during the 2002 World Cup. All the Scots in the pub were supporting Argentina rather than England.

I guess if you can't qualify you need to support somebody, but the Argentinians?

God i would hate to tell a ......did you hear about the Englishman,Irishman,Scotsman joke without offending you. Can you not take a bit of "Banter" between nations. I wonder if they are this offended in the likes of Belgium/Holland or Spain/Portugal. My Bro in Law is English and he slags us off in good fun and i like to Remember him about Maradona`s 2nd goal not the "Hand Of God" - Remember there is just as many folk in England who would want to get shot of Scotland as there is the other way up here. We have 2 English guys on our sunday club run and none of this Anti English or scots S**te is ever mentioned as there isnt any to start with.

Pross

It seems to have escaped the OP's notice that laws affecting Wales are generally still made in the UK parliament. Devolved powers are still pretty limited and as far as I'm aware there's no concerted campaign for independence. The majority of MPs represent English constituencies (533 out of 650) so you effectively have what you are asking for in any case as in the event of a vote being made which would be against English interests to benefit one of the other 3 nations it wouldn't stand a chance

rhext

The way I see it this is not a Scottish issue anyway: we currently live in a Union, surely if that Union is to divide into two then all participants should have a vote on that.

I reckon the reason the Scottish nationalists are so rabidly opposed to this is because they're worried about the result being positive. Me, I'd vote for Scottish independence tomorrow. I have a sneaking feeling that the nationalists want all the advantages of being independent (full control of their own domestic affairs etc) without having to worry too much about the disadvantages (how to fund a military, foreign diplomatic service, does the revenue from north sea oil really exceed the likely reduction in the total tax take that Scotland would see if it were only able to raise revenue from its own population, only having yourselves to blame if it all goes pear-shaped).

Why on earth else would they even be talking about a 'third option' on the ballot paper. You're either nationalist or you're not: put your money where your mouth is and pop the question.....

Pross

MattC59 wrote:

GiantMike wrote:

I was in a pub in St Andrews during the 2002 World Cup. All the Scots in the pub were supporting Argentina rather than England.

I guess if you can't qualify you need to support somebody, but the Argentinians?

That's typical of the Welsh and the scots though (at least the ones I know).
I find that the English will happily support the home nations in a rugby match, before anyone else, but the Scots and Welsh would rather support anyone but the English.

I think it's down to the fact that they're hanging onto the fantasy that they're still living in the middle ages (although, looking at parts of Scotland, I can understand that)

That's a fallacy, most of my English friends supported France against Wales in the recent RWC (one of the few occassions we have got further). It's just a bit of banter between neighbouring countries and it never ceases to amaze me how upset people get. As nations we stick together when it really counts (i.e. wars against Germany or France and the Olympics to get more medals than the Aussies)

As for the comment above about no-one in Wales would fly a Union Flag, that is also rubbish. They were everywhere for the Royal Wedding (although I know the poster lives in one of the more nationalist areas of the Principality!).

rick_chasey

You guys are overlooking the nature of separatist politics.

It's only a big deal to those who want to separate. That doesn't mean it isn't a big deal.

Who in the UK cares? I doubt that many - either way, in real terms, a separation would not noticeably affect them.

verylonglegs

Are they offering to take up the burden for RBS?

Gazzetta67

The Scottish people wont vote for seperation - it was asked years ago and failed. I dont trust ANY politician as they are all in it for themselves and they think they are a law unto themselves - cue the expenses scandal (us mere mortals would have went to prison). Things are ok as it it. I do believe that ONLY English MP`s should vote on all things English. We have our scots parliament as do the welsh and the irish. I have no problem with that as i think it`s only right.... Luckly this being a Cycling forum we as 4 nations are ALWAYS good supporters of British Cyclists and am glad were not into petty rivalries like in football.

Pross

Regional assemblies were proposed in England but fell at the first hurdle.

Gazzetta67

verylonglegs wrote:

Are they offering to take up the burden for RBS?

Oh yes were very happy to struggle while guy like Fred Goodwin ponce along with his £4m bonus a year - Tho he did say he was Very Very Sorry .....guess that will be ok then

rick_chasey

verylonglegs wrote:

Are they offering to take up the burden for RBS?

Won't be much of RBS left by Summer, let alone next year. They're selling the sexy bits off.

verylonglegs

Was only a tongue in cheek post but none of my smilies work. Taking the independence seriously however...what about currency then if it were to come about? Not the Euro surely?

Gazzetta67

The Euro ??? Be better of with Monopoly money just now. I dont think Alex Salmond would be that silly.

ddraver

Gazzetta67 wrote:

The Euro ??? Be better of with Monopoly money just now. I dont think Alex Salmond would be that silly.

Except the Euro is still way more pounds than it was in 2008.....

Diogenes

Pross wrote:

MattC59 wrote:

GiantMike wrote:

I was in a pub in St Andrews during the 2002 World Cup. All the Scots in the pub were supporting Argentina rather than England.

I guess if you can't qualify you need to support somebody, but the Argentinians?

That's typical of the Welsh and the scots though (at least the ones I know).
I find that the English will happily support the home nations in a rugby match, before anyone else, but the Scots and Welsh would rather support anyone but the English.

I think it's down to the fact that they're hanging onto the fantasy that they're still living in the middle ages (although, looking at parts of Scotland, I can understand that)

That's a fallacy, most of my English friends supported France against Wales in the recent RWC

Thats just not cricket! Surely any self respecting Englishman does not care who stuffs the French.

D

Ron Stuart

OK, you Sassenachs (Saxons) and others this should get you going.... http://www.oilofscotland.org/ and as for the Scottish money how about Airgead meaning money or silver in Gaelic. Not Sterling or Euro please just Scottish money.
Ironically our current PM David Cameron a current member of the Clan Cameron has been recently asking for the SNP to hurry-up with there referendum please, has he forgotten his ancestors fought successfully at the Battle of Bannockburn which was a significant victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
The Scotts originated as a race that had it's origins in Northern Ireland and for those here that seem to think that there are just two countries in question on this issue there is in fact four, there are three countries that make up Great Britain... England, Scotland and Wales... There are four countries that form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland quite often referred to as the UK. So maybe there are indeed four countries involved here although one would think that listening to the noises as usual coming from the mouths of those great custodians of our futures in Westminster there was only two. :roll: