The paralysis of British politics over the past three years of Brexit debate is well known. Less discussed is the fact that the country formally known as the United Kingdom - but rarely called that by the British – is being torn apart. Brexit is straining the ties that bind the four nations of the UK.
As John Lloyd writes in our opening article, the Scottish National Party, emboldened by the sense that the English establishment cares little for people north of the border, is closer to reaching its goal of independence than at any time. Meanwhile, the politics of Northern Ireland have been thrown into chaos, and even loyal Wales is beginning to talk of independence.
