Austen Morgan: How you stop the breakup of the United Kingdom with a slightly unpopular tool
Dr. Austen Morgan discusses the complexities surrounding the potential breakup of the United Kingdom. He highlights the rise of nationalist first ministers in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, while noting that these administrations are minority governments. The article emphasizes the historical context of the UK's formation and the challenges faced by contemporary separatists.
- ▪Michelle O’Neill became Northern Ireland’s first minister in February 2024, with Sinn Féin winning 27 of the 90 assembly seats.
- ▪Rhun ap Iorwerth and John Swinney also became first ministers in Wales and Scotland, respectively, following elections in May 2024.
- ▪Despite the rise of nationalist parties, the UK remains a unitary state with a significant majority of unionist MPs in Westminster.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Dr Austen Morgan is a barrister at 33 Bedford Row Chambers. He is the author of ‘Pretence: why the United Kingdom needs a written constitution’, London 2023. Prof. Sir John Curtice, the English psephologist in Scotland, has been reporting the existence of nationalist first ministers in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh, with a cheeky countenance. The prospective breakup of the United Kingdom (‘UK’) – mercifully – is more complicated, and contains within it the seeds of constitutionally securing our multi-national state.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ConservativeHome.
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