UK Political Landscape: Lessons from Canada’s Experience with the SNP

Recent developments in UK parliamentary politics have sparked discussions on whether the country's political dynamics will mirror those of federal Canadian politics. Specifically, the role of the SNP (Scottish National Party) has been compared to that of the Bloc Québécois. However, there are significant differences in their origins and functions within their respective political setups.

Differences Between the SNP and the Bloc Québécois

Contrary to the belief that the UK may follow a similar path to Canada, the development of the Bloc and the SNP have been markedly different. The Bloc Québécois was primarily composed of individuals who held substantial political power within the Canadian federal government prior to forming the party. In contrast, the SNP consists predominantly of individuals who have never served in national government.

In the 1980s, Brian Mulroney sought support from separatists in Quebec to unseat the federal Liberal Party. He proposed a deal for Quebec to have a greater say in Ottawa in exchange for their support. This approach succeeded in bringing together separatists, who otherwise had little interest in federal politics, to support the Progressive Conservative Party (PC), due to their dissatisfaction with the Liberals' federalist stance.

However, the arrangement did not last long. Two blocks of the Progressive Conservatives left the party, forming Reform and the Bloc Québécois. The defeat of the PCs left them in a state of decline for many years, marked by the influence of separatist and conservative separatist factions.

Outcome of the Bloc Québécois and the SNP

Currently, most Quebecers are weary of separatism and instead support the most liberal parties. At both the provincial and federal levels, this often means the PQ (Parti Québécois) and the NDP (New Democratic Party) respectively. Consequently, the Bloc Québécois has seen a decline in support, primarily among hardcore separatists. A similar fate is likely awaiting the SNP in the coming years.

Future Federal Arrangements and Unification

The current UK political landscape experiences significant imbalance in population distribution between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. To address this, some propose a federal arrangement similar to that of the United States of America, leading to a discussion about a United States of Britain that would align with a broader European unification under the United States of Europe.

To mitigate the large numerical discrepancies in population, it is suggested that England be subdivided into regions such as North, Midlands, South East, and South West. This restructuring could also address regional secessionary movements already present in parts of Northern England.

Another proposal discussed is the possibility of moving the England-Scotland border south, incorporating Northumberland, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Durham, Lancashire, and Tyne-Wear in Scotland. If implemented, this would have significant implications for the division of Ireland, as it could be reimagined as a sub-national division within a broader European context.

Geographical and Linguistic Contexts

It is worth noting that the Québécois are more of a linguistic and cultural grouping seeking devolution rather than structured around a specific geographic area as they are in Canada. A significant number of Québécois speak French, underlining their distinct identity and separateness from other provinces in Canada.

In comparison, the SNP does not have a similar linguistic base, as almost no one speaks Gaelic. The Welsh, on the other hand, are more culturally and linguistically specific, with efforts being made to preserve and promote the Welsh language. Similarly, the Cornish have been working towards their own language revitalization.