I am a child of the troubles

[Haggis for Breakfast]

40. As someone with one Scottish parent and one Welsh parent,

I can tell you that it makes my blood BOIL to watch PMs Questions time, so I rarely do anymore.

The Scots WILL leave "the empire" if the hard brexit is undertaken. Family members (here and there) talk non-stop about the manipulation of that vote, the campaign of disinformation that ensued (include the part the Russians played in that discussion, remember that Putin wants to see a divided island and a destabilised democracy), and the growing numbers of Scots who will demand another vote, claiming that the first was a total sham. Being some of the most fiercely independent people anywhere on earth, they could vote themselves out of "the empire" altogether. They will not be swayed a second time about tradition, history, destiny and fraternity. Keep in mind that Scotland CAN financially support itself. Vast oil fields in the North Sea.

Wales, on the other hand, is like the proverbial "red-headed step-child" of GB. "England's first colony" (all apologies and a tip of the hat to Geardaddy) Terribly mistreated and always left needing. The Welsh will NEVER leave and are attached surgically at the hip of England. There is no real independent economy in Wales, indeed it has flatlined for the last two years, and is seeing an increase in poverty rates and rising inflation. The biggest industry in Wales is tourism.

Regardless of where you are in the mix or how you stand on the brexit question at this moment, there is just too much uncertainty to calm anyone and it appears not to bode well for the UK no matter what path it takes. I think all of us displaced or diaspora Brits are full up on anxiety. And Guiness . . . Hoping for the best. We'll see. I'm not that optimistic.