11 Facts About English independence

English independence is a political stance advocating secession of England from the United Kingdom.

Support for secession of England has been influenced by the increasing devolution of political powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where independence from the United Kingdom is a prominent subject of political debate.

English independence has been seen by its advocates as a way to resolve the West Lothian question in British politics: Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs in the Parliament of the United Kingdom at Westminster being able to vote on matters affecting England, but English MPs not having the same power over equivalent issues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as these powers are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly or the Senedd.

Scottish demands for independence, rather than English demands, are seen as the most pressing threat to British unity; Scotland voted against independence at the referendum on 18 September 2014, but the topic is still being debated.

In 1603, the Union of the Crowns took place when the death of Elizabeth I resulted in James VI, King of Scots, acceding to the English independence throne, placing England and Scotland under personal union.

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In 2006 a motion was tabled in the UK parliament advocating for English independence, signed by four Members: Peter Atkinson of the Conservative Party, Angus MacNeil of the Scottish National Party and Bill Etherington and Elliot Morley of Labour.

In 2015, following the Scottish independence referendum, journalist Leo McKinstry proposed a referendum on English independence, stating that English patriotism is as valid as Scottish patriotism and that the people of England have as much a right as Scottish people to hold a referendum on English independence.

English independence nationalism is often associated with Euroscepticism: one reason for opposition to the European Union was the view that England was being arbitrarily subdivided into regions at the behest of the EU with limited say from the British Government.

Political party campaigning for English Independence was formed in February 2008, the Free England Party, it achieving some minor electoral success before disbanding in December 2009.

Does not include organisations supportive of Unionism or Scottish English independence without mentioning nationalism in their official makeup.

Does not include organisations supportive of Unionism or Welsh English independence without mentioning nationalism in their official makeup.