Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Brexit Aftereffects Intensify Debate Over the United Kingdom’s Future
The United Kingdom contains several regions, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Some leaders in these regions now want people to vote on becoming independent.
Scotland has the strongest support for independence in the polls described here.
The Brexit vote made this debate stronger because Scotland and Northern Ireland wanted to remain in the European Union.
Wales mostly supported leaving the European Union, but support for closer European ties has since grown there.
Brexit also created special trading rules for Northern Ireland.
These rules put checks in the Irish Sea to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The British prime minister supports giving regions more power, but regional leaders say his plans are insufficient.
Leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have called for independence referendums, renewing debate over the United Kingdom’s constitutional future.
Polling cited in the article puts support for Scottish independence at about 47%, compared with more than 30% in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain in the European Union in 2016, while Wales voted predominantly to leave.
Post-Brexit arrangements placed a trade border in the Irish Sea to protect the EU single market and avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham supports greater devolution, but leaders in the three regions reportedly believe his proposals do not go far enough.
- Who
- Leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, alongside the United Kingdom government.
- What
- Post-Brexit tensions have renewed calls for independence, Irish unification and greater devolution.
- When
- The latest call for referendums was issued on Monday; the debate intensified after the June 2016 Brexit referendum.
- Where
- Across the United Kingdom, especially Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Why
- Support has grown because of disagreements over Brexit, regional autonomy and Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Independence and Greater Devolution Advocates
United Kingdom and Central Authority Supporters
Constitutional future
Independence and Greater Devolution Advocates
Leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland argue that independence or substantially greater self-government should be considered through referendums.
United Kingdom and Central Authority Supporters
Supporters of the existing United Kingdom oppose dividing its territory and favor preserving the union, while considering whether limited devolution is sufficient.
Post-Brexit arrangements
Independence and Greater Devolution Advocates
Regional critics view the Brexit settlement, particularly Northern Ireland’s Irish Sea trade border, as evidence that the current union creates political and constitutional problems.
United Kingdom and Central Authority Supporters
Supporters of the arrangement say it is needed to prevent illegal goods entering the European Union single market and to avoid restoring a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
- Scottish independence support
- About 47% according to the polling cited.
- Support elsewhere
- More than 30% in Northern Ireland and Wales, according to the article.
- 2016 referendum
- Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain in the European Union; Wales voted predominantly to leave.
- 2014 Scottish referendum
- Independence was rejected.
- Northern Ireland arrangement
- Post-Brexit trade rules created a border in the Irish Sea under a dual-jurisdiction arrangement.
- Stated purpose
- The arrangement aims to protect the European Union single market and prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland.
- Devolution position
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham supports greater devolution, while regional first ministers reportedly believe his proposals are insufficient.