ST
Depends on what the semantics of the post-independence UK would be.
The island of which Scotland is a part is called "Great Britain." This is not a political name, it is a geographical name. It is equivalent to "North America."
Therefore, if Scotland were to secede, the name of what is left behind would no longer be strictly accurate -- the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" would be erroneous as it would include a part of the island of GB over which it no longer had a sovereign right.
It could, theoretically but improbably, be renamed the "United Kingdom of England, Wales and Northern Ireland". However, as "American" (in terms of the American Broadcasting Company etc) has become the de facto term for an inhabitant of the USA, despite being equally valid as describing an inhabitant of Panama or Chile, so I expect "British" to remain a de facto demonym for the domains controlled by Brenda. Therefore, I believe, however inaccurate it may prove to be given that Britons have not lived in England for over a thousand years, that British will out.
Michael, you're partly right and also wrong.
The original 'Great Britain' was the union of the crowns of England & Scotland which, by default, included (and still does) the principality of Wales. The 'United Kingdom' included Ireland from 1801-1922, the crown of which no longer exists.
If Scotland were to leave, then there is no longer a 'union of two crowns': so there will be no 'United Kingdom'. Legally, 'Great Britian' as a constituent element of that state would also cease to exist.
There would be a Kingdom of England (and possibly Northern Ireland as a former province of the UK, if they didn't also cecede, although I'm not sure they can actually do that). It would be ludicrous to call it a 'United Kingdom' when it simply consisted of a single 'Kingdom' of deloved states.
Neither Wales or NI are sovereign crown states: Mrs Windsor is not legally named as 'Queen of Wales' or 'Queen of Northern Ireland'.
Dissolution of the Union would be a minefield, I'm sure. Our flag would have to be changed, and perhaps a complete re-evaluation of the relationship with Wales and NI. Perhaps this would be a good thing, and Scotland can have more independence too. I just hope we don't end up with 'DEVO MAX'!
I know it's a rather simple question, but would the BBC continue to be called the BBC, if it wasn't the state broadcaster in Scotland? Since it wouldn't be covering all of Britain.
Depends on what the semantics of the post-independence UK would be.
The island of which Scotland is a part is called "Great Britain." This is not a political name, it is a geographical name. It is equivalent to "North America."
Therefore, if Scotland were to secede, the name of what is left behind would no longer be strictly accurate -- the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" would be erroneous as it would include a part of the island of GB over which it no longer had a sovereign right.
It could, theoretically but improbably, be renamed the "United Kingdom of England, Wales and Northern Ireland". However, as "American" (in terms of the American Broadcasting Company etc) has become the de facto term for an inhabitant of the USA, despite being equally valid as describing an inhabitant of Panama or Chile, so I expect "British" to remain a de facto demonym for the domains controlled by Brenda. Therefore, I believe, however inaccurate it may prove to be given that Britons have not lived in England for over a thousand years, that British will out.
Michael, you're partly right and also wrong.
The original 'Great Britain' was the union of the crowns of England & Scotland which, by default, included (and still does) the principality of Wales. The 'United Kingdom' included Ireland from 1801-1922, the crown of which no longer exists.
If Scotland were to leave, then there is no longer a 'union of two crowns': so there will be no 'United Kingdom'. Legally, 'Great Britian' as a constituent element of that state would also cease to exist.
There would be a Kingdom of England (and possibly Northern Ireland as a former province of the UK, if they didn't also cecede, although I'm not sure they can actually do that). It would be ludicrous to call it a 'United Kingdom' when it simply consisted of a single 'Kingdom' of deloved states.
Neither Wales or NI are sovereign crown states: Mrs Windsor is not legally named as 'Queen of Wales' or 'Queen of Northern Ireland'.
Dissolution of the Union would be a minefield, I'm sure. Our flag would have to be changed, and perhaps a complete re-evaluation of the relationship with Wales and NI. Perhaps this would be a good thing, and Scotland can have more independence too. I just hope we don't end up with 'DEVO MAX'!
Last edited by Stuart on 22 January 2012 3:36am - 2 times in total
