English independence is a political stance advocating secession of England, the largest and most populous country of the British Isles from the United Kingdom. Support for secession of England has been influenced by the increasing devolution of political powers to Scotland and Wales, where independence from the United Kingdom is a prominent political feature.
English independence is seen by its advocates as a way to resolve the West Lothian question in British politics, whereby Scottish and Welsh MPs in the Parliament of the United Kingdom at Westminster can vote on matters affecting England, while English MPs do not have the same power over equivalent issues in Scotland or Wales, as these powers are devolved to the Scottish Parliament or the National Assembly for Wales.
While some minor political parties have campaigned for English independence, all major UK-wide political parties adhere to the opposing view of British unionism, and oppose altering the constitutional status of England. Scottish demands for independence, rather than English demands, are seen as the most pressing threat to British unity, with Scotland due to hold a referendum on independence in 2014.
Read more about English Independence: History, Arguments For English Independence, Opinion Polls, Organisations
Famous quotes containing the words english and/or independence:
“These are not the artificial forests of an English king,—a royal preserve merely. Here prevail no forest laws but those of nature. The aborigines have never been dispossessed, nor nature disforested.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Our treatment of both older people and children reflects the value we place on independence and autonomy. We do our best to make our children independent from birth. We leave them all alone in rooms with the lights out and tell them, “Go to sleep by yourselves.” And the old people we respect most are the ones who will fight for their independence, who would sooner starve to death than ask for help.”
—Margaret Mead (1901–1978)