Focus

Breaking Britain.

With growing rifts between its regions, how much longer can the UK survive? From the economic to the constitutional, this focus explores the divisions and contradictions within the union today.

Long Read: Dismantling Britain is One Thing. Dismantling Britishness is Another

by Adam Ramsay

When we talk about breaking up Britain, we can’t just talk about the British state, argues Adam Ramsay. We also need to understand what gives the state its social license to operate: that is, British nationalism.

Analysis: The SNP Won’t Deliver a Radical Independence for Scotland

by Jonathon Shafi

While a second Scottish independence referendum seems inevitable, it won’t be a re-run of the first, writes Jonathon Shafi. Thanks largely to the growing dominance of the SNP within the pro-independence movement, the stakes are higher than ever.

Report: Cornish Nationalists Are Calling for an End to Westminster Rule. Here’s Why

by Rebecca Tidy

Its unique history makes Cornwall an unusual case within conversations around devolution. Rebecca Tidy looks at the reasons why many Cornish people are seeking great autonomy from Westminster.

Analysis: The Deindustrial Divide: Why Northern England is a Political Problem

by Craig Gent

Whether we like it or not, the ‘red wall’ narrative is likely to determine English politics for the decade to come. But understanding today’s ‘north-south divide’ has more to do with industrial legacies than culture, writes Craig Gent.

“When we talk about breaking up Britain, we need to understand what gives the state its social license to operate: that is, British nationalism.”

Adam Ramsay

Long Read: What Might Britain’s ‘Break-Up’ Actually Look Like?

by Rory Scothorne

The UK has been vigorously shaken before, and yet still managed to hold its shape. Rory Scothorne explores how previous challenges to the union came about and were resolved to shed light on how a break-up might (or might not) occur today.

Feature: Could Labour Lead Wales to Independence?

by Aaron Bastani

As Wales begins to desire greater autonomy, will the Labour party be extinguished by an independence movement – like in Scotland – or could it lead a push for devolution? Aaron Bastani reports.

Feature: A Allai’r Blaid Lafur Arwain Cymru at Annibyniaeth?

by Aaron Bastani

Wrth i Gymru ddechrau galw am fwy o ymreolaeth, a fydd y blaid Lafur yn cael ei diffodd gan fudiad annibyniaeth – fel yn yr Alban – neu gallai arwain at symudiad dros ddatganoli? Adroddiad gan Aaron Bastani.

Analysis: Worldmaking in Peterborough: How Battles Over England Are Rooted in Place

by Ben Rogaly

Understanding social division and how to overcome it means grappling with the contradictions of place, racialisation and industry, writes Ben Rogaly. Where do we start? Peterborough.

Opinion: Scottish Independence Can Be a Blueprint for Social and Climate Justice Across Britain

by Maggie Chapman

Having a progressive independent Scotland on England’s border would pose an alternative to the Tory plan for deregulation of workers’ rights, environmental standards and consumer protections, writes Maggie Chapman.

Long Read: Is Welsh Independence Really on the Cards?

by Daniel Wincott

The question of Welsh independence is being discussed in ways unimaginable even a decade ago. Daniel Wincott takes a look at why the movement is growing – and whether or not an imminent breakaway from the UK is a real possibility.

Interview: Leanne Wood: ‘Just Wanting Independence Isn’t Enough. We Need a Strategy’

by Aaron Bastani

Plaid Cymru’s former leader Leanne Wood speaks to Aaron Bastani about what it would take to win Welsh independence – and why Labour won’t deliver.

Interview: Leanne Wood: ‘Dyw Ond Eisiau Annibyniaeth Ddim Yn Ddigon. Rydyn Ni Angen Strategaeth’

by Aaron Bastani

Siaradai’r cyn-arweinydd Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood, gydag Aaron Bastani am beth fydd yn ei gymryd i ennill annibyniaeth – a pam na fydd Llafur ei chyflawni.

Long Read: Can the Good Friday Agreement Survive?

by Daniel Finn

The political system in Northern Ireland, set up by the Good Friday Agreement, can only work if there is a unionist party (or bloc of parties) that retains majority support from its community in a way that makes power-sharing with nationalists viable. But with the DUP in crisis, are these conditions now missing?

“There are a number of political factors that have led to the resurgence of Welsh pride over the last decade – nothing more so than a growing feeling of being screwed over by the English.”

Gina Tonic

Report: ‘Fuck You, It’s Class’: How Welsh Pride Went Mainstream

by Gina Tonic

For many people who grew up in the south Wales valleys, there was once a real sense of shame attached to being Welsh. But from renewed interest in the national football team to the emerging independence movement, Welsh pride is seeing a resurgence. Gina Tonic reports.

Breaking Britain is part of Novara Media’s Decade Project, an inquiry into the defining issues of the 2020s. The Decade Project is generously supported by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (London Office)

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Produced by Clare Hymer and Craig Gent.