British independence

British independence is a political stance of some political parties, advocacy groups, and individuals within the United Kingdom (along with international support) for the country to, in widely referenced terms; regain, restore, or otherwise observe and enforce, it's parliamentary, legislative, judicial, immigratory, military, nuclear, economic, trade and territorial independence. This aim is usually advocated by those supporting the withdrawal from supranational unions, international bodies and treaties that constrain or compel domestic powers, specifically from outside of the United Kingdom. These typically can include the European Union, the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, the United Nations, and less frequently, the World Trade Organization, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
The Parliament of the United Kingdom website states it "has passed laws that limit the application of parliamentary sovereignty", specifically listing the "UK's entry to the European Union" and the ECHR (Human Rights Act 1998) as prominent examples. The government, however, asserts "in theory at least, Parliament could repeal any of the laws implementing these changes." Whether through mutual disbanding, British withdrawals based on national referenda (e.g. Brexit) or Acts of Parliament, ultimately, the repeal of some or all of these laws are key objectives within the factions seeking varied forms of British independence.
Historical references to British independence can be found in early 19th century literature, poetry and historical works. Archibald Alison published concerns over "the loss of British independence" as early as 1833 in Blackwood's Magazine. Both the subject, and usage of the phrase itself, tend to divide opinion as British independence is to some an established reality based on the assumption of UK sovereignty,
Some notable political examples include Prime Minister Theresa May's advocacy of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the ECHR, stating that it "can bind the hands of Parliament, adds nothing to our prosperity, makes us less secure by preventing the deportation of dangerous foreign nationals" and that it "tried to tell Parliament that - however we voted - we could not deprive prisoners of the vote."
Independence of the United Kingdom
Economic
Certified Financial Planner Joe Franklin, speaking of "British independence" claimed that "from a short term economic perspective, many believed that remaining (in the EU) was a better solution, especially when no one knows what a "free Britain" would be able to negotiate with those in Brussels and other countries." Charles Moore, with reference to Barrack Obama's claim that, after the UK leaving the European Union, it would take "five or 10 years for an independent Britain to secure a trade deal with the United States", stated his "back of the queue" claim was part of "the odd idea that a trade deal matters above everything."
Columnist Kerry Bolton, in an article for Right On, claimed that the Brexit result was a "fallacy of British independence" and further claimed that "Britain has not been independent, that is to say the British state has not had sovereign power to make policy based solely on British interests, since the creation of the Bank of England in 1694." On 14 July 2016, journalist Shehab Al Makahleh, speculated whether Brexit was "a day of British Independence", he further reported that some economic experts believed "Arabs would increase their investments" in both the "pound sterling" and "properties in London", following the referendum result.
Immigratory
The United Kingdom, while still presently a member of the EU (ahead of an as of yet unscheduled withdrawal), is not signed up to the Schengen Agreement, ultimately providing the British government and UK Border Force with the final decision on all immigration. However, in application, the UK's adoption of free movement of people under EU law, has de facto ceded it's right to control EU immigration, allowing for essentially unlimited immigration from EU member states. This policy has significantly contributed to the highest-ever recorded levels of immigration into the United Kingdom in 2015, and second-highest in 2016. UKIP leader Nigel Farage claimed that the "figures reflect 'Borderless Britain' and total impotence of the British government".
The principle of (in practice) ceding controls on EU-immigration has been regarded in some quarters as an erosion of British independence. In an article titled "Brexit timetable for Britain's independence from Brussels"; David Davis, appointed Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, is quoted as saying "once the European nations realise that we are not going to budge on control of our borders, they will want to talk, in their own interest." David Maddox's article further stated that "David Davis has set a timetable to end Brussels rule in Britain which could see independence achieved by December 2018". The resulting recording-breaking influx of EU immigrants has arguably been contentious and impactful in the climate of British politics. Vote Leave in particular reported the Home Office statistics on immigration in it's campaign to deliver a "Take Back Control" message ahead of the referendum on EU membership, whilst the Remain side were critised by some for ignoring the issue.
British columnist Dayaanan Muthukrishnan, in an article for The Market Mogul titled "British Independence At Last", suggested immigration was one of two main factors that "caused a Brexit", stating "there is nothing wrong with immigration, however, it is the sheer number of people entering" which was a "tipping point" in British public opinion. He claimed that "net migration into the UK of 330,000 per year" put a strain on both the NHS and housing.
Presidential candidate Donald Trump speaking in Scotland on the morning of the Brexit result, claimed "they've taken back their independence and that's a very, very important thing". He suggested that within the United Kingdom "people want to see borders, they don't necessarily want to see people pouring into their country." Further mainstream US opinion produced some similar opinion, with , Fox News anchor, claiming that immigration had been key in the Brexit result, suggesting it was "too much, too fast and they're not assimilating."
Nigel Farage MEP, suggested in the 2016 referendum campaign, that "he could burn his (EU Passport) in the event of a Brexit vote. In his farewell speech as UKIP leader, while holding an EU Passport above his head, he quoted Theresa May on Brexit and stated that "the only time we will know that 'Brexit means Brexit', is when that has been put in the bin and we get back a British passport." Conservative MP Julian Knight spoke in Parliament, declaring "the blue passport" as a "symbol of our independence as a strong, proud nation."
Judicial
The United Kingdom has subjected itself to the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, since 1998 when the court was permanently established. The UK Parliament website states that the adherence to the decisions of a foreign court are a self-imposed restriction, and the law which legitmises this practice (Human Rights Act 1998) can be repealed at any time.
Military
The military independence of the United Kingdom is a long-standing and multi-faceted debate, chiefly involving the stature of the UK's army presence, autonomy and relationship to NATO, most specifically the US, and the EU. Critics denounce the emergence of EU Battlegroups, which are presently deployed internationally, and oppose calls for further military integration from EU presidents, MEPs and supporters. In December 2013, David Cameron, then Prime minister, stated that ""it isn't right for the European Union to have capabilities, armies, airforces and we need to get that demarcation correct."
Peter Hill, editor and columnist, has been critical of UKIP's EU-centric vision of British independence, stating that "rather than a Britain located, notionally, in a sphere of pure ‘sovereignty’ and ‘independence’, free to negotiate her own treaties and ties, we would find a Britain bound more closely to American interests, to the power-complex of NATO, to war-on-terror commitments", pointing out "Britain’s NATO membership is, for instance, intimately linked to the considerable US military presence in this country."
Nuclear
There have been some doubt as to the independence of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons. Jeremy Corbyn, Labour leader, has frequently expressed doubt to this concept, claiming in Parliament on 6 Novemember 2014; "we have been told all my life that we have an independent nuclear deterrent in Britain and that we can operate independently". He further stated; "Could Britain fire off a nuclear weapon independently of the United States? No, I do not believe that it could. I believe that it would require the active participation of the US military and US Administration to undertake that. I simply do not believe that it is an independent nuclear weapon."
In a piece titled "UK Dependence of Independence?" by Tara Callahan and Mark Jansson, the researchers claim that "the debate over the independence of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons program is largely due to the fact that the UK no longer deploys nuclear-armed aircraft".
BBC documentary A Very British Deterrent suggests that following a post-war cooling of US-UK cooperation, "British scientists had been forced to go it alone and set out on a path towards an independent nuclear deterrent." Analysis of the documentary from Radio Times stated that Prime Minister Harold MacMillan was "determined that Britain should remain a nuclear power, and was prepared to jeopardise the UK's relationship with the US for the sake of independence."
Monetary
The general consensus within the United Kingdom, both public support and within government, to keep and maintain an independent currency (the pound sterling (GBP)) is seen as indicative of basic support for a monetarily independent nation. Tejvan Pettinger, British cyclist and economics teacher, stated that "there is very little enthusiasm for joining" the euro except for "die hard Euro-enthusiasts" and he believes that "the UK recession of 2008-11 would have been even deeper, if we didn’t have an independent monetary policy".
Mainland Europe's deeper integration monetarily within the Eurozone, is often perceived contrastingly to that of British interestes and sentiment. There had been support and calls within the Labour party goverernment of Tony Blair, most prominently by the likes of Peter Mandelson and many others, including cross-party endorsements, for the UK to join the euro. This has been met in the main with a lack of support and criticism. Allister Heath, British business journalist and commentator, claimed "it is a tragedy that so many supporters of the European project remain in denial about the true extent of the euro’s failure."
Dutch Freedom Party leader, Geert Wilders, speaking after the Brexit result, suggested that the UK leaving the EU meant that the British people had "control" of "their own budget and their own money", making them a "sovereign country again."
Territorial
The territorial sovereignty of the United Kingdom is arguably the most staunchly and historically defended aspect of British independence. The territorial independence of the United Kingdom is a primary duty of any British government in "defence of the Realm".
The loss of the UK's exclusive access to territorial waters and fishing rights via the Common Fisheries Policy has been widely criticised. The independent use of British territorial waters has been increasingly on the agenda in the lead up to the Brexit result. Peter Foster, U.S. bureau chief for The Daily Telegraph, claimed Brexit would mean that "the UK would regain control over its 200-mile fishing zone, although bilateral agreement with other fishing nations could require granting access on a quid pro quo basis."
Political parties
British independence, in it's varied perceived forms, is supported most prominently by the United Kingdom Independence Party, but also has support within government, the cabinet, a large Conservative minority of MPs and a generally perceived split membership within the Conservative Party. There is varied support within the , including the present leadership on certain elements, NATO being a chief concern. As a wide ideology, it consists of many factions with varying political aims and perceived concessions of independence or sovereignty.
Conservative Party
Conservative leader and Prime Minister, Theresa May, advocates British withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights, explicitly critisising the fact that "Britian is subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights". In a speech delivered as Home Secretary, she claimed the ECHR could "bind the hands of parliament" and blamed the delay of the "extradition of Abu Hamza" from the UK, specifically on the convention. Theresa May had been, according to the BBC political editor, a "Reluctant Remain" supporter of the European Union pre-referendum, but assured "Brexit means Brexit" after the 1.3 million majority result. With almost the opposite stance, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson successfully campaigned with Vote Leave for a British withdrawal from the European Union, claiming June 23 (the referendum voting date in 2016) would become the "UK's Independence Day", whilst defending the ECHR, stating that it "was one the great things we gave to Europe."
Ruth Dudley Edwards, historian and columnist for the Irish Sunday Independent , claimed there was "bad blood in fight for British independence" amongst the Conservative leadership and that "Brexit could be the catalyst for a much-needed revolt by disgruntled electors against Brussels imperialism."
Labour Party
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has criticised the EU project, claiming it was a 'serious matter' that legislative powers had 'gone from national parliaments' and been transferred 'to the European Commission'. On October 24, 2011, Corbyn was one of just 20 Labour MPs that defied the party whip, voting in favour of a referendum on EU membership being held. On NATO, Corbyn has stated "I'd rather we weren't in it" and that “it should have been wound up in 1990 along with the Warsaw pact”. Along with former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone's stance, the modern Labour leadership's advocacy for withdrawal has been praised, as well as critised as a "Corbynite assault on Nato". Corbyn has also suggested that there isn't "an appetite as a whole for people to leave" NATO and would therefore seek to "restrict its role" initially.
UK Independence Party
UKIP was founded in 1993, originally as the Anti-Federalist League, with the aim of preventing the United Kingdom becoming a state in a federal Europe. They have largely dominated the discussion of British independence, Parliamentary sovereignty and self-governance within politics for over two decades, with the subjects generally perceived as somewhat fanciful or taboo amongst the mainstream political parties. In the general election 2015, the UK Independence Party received 12.6% of the national vote share.
Ahead of the referendum on EU membership, Margot Parker UKIP MEP, specifically appealed for the public to "distribute the material coming from not only UKIP but also other organisations who want the same thing - the independence of the United Kingdom and our sovereignty restored."
Minor parties
British National Party
The British National Party published an article titled "Independence and peace or EU rule and war - the stark choice facing Britain" the weekend before the Brexit result, ahead of the public referendum vote.
Populist Party
The Populist Party stated in it's 'Populist Constitution' that the membership did "not want to be governed from Brussels. We want to be a free, independent, sovereign country that is governed by our people in our own Parliament in Westminster."
Traditional Unionist Voice Party
Ruth Wilson, TUV councilor, stated that "TUV believes in the political unity, prosperity and independence of the United Kingdom, not in Brussels diktats." At the time, an East Antrim candidate, she said that "TUV offers a clear option to those who want the United Kingdom to become a truly sovereign nation again”.
Other organisations
*Campaign for an Independent Britain
*Get Britain Out
Domestic opinion
Support
United Kingdom
*Suzanne Evans, former deputy chairman of UKIP, on 14 June 2016 asked the public to "vote for British independence" ahead of the referendum on EU membership.
*Nigel Farage, former leader of UKIP, regarding the Brexit results, claimed the public had voted for a "Britain free to make its own laws, control its own borders and act in its own national interest."
*Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP, stated that "an amended Bill of Rights should enshrine the supremacy of Parliament over foreign institutions and law-codes".
*Nigel Lawson, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, stated with regard leaving the EU "it is a matter of particular concern in the UK, with our addiction to freedom and democracy. And it is intimately connected with something even older and even more fundamental: self-government."
Opposition
United Kingdom
*Antony Froggatt, energy policy consultant and senior research fellow at Chatham House, stated that "a ‘No’ vote to British Independence from EU-bloc" was "best for UK energy sector".
*Thomas Raines, research fellow at Chatham House, claimed "all the models for British Independence from the EU-bloc that we reviewed would create regulatory uncertainty until a new framework of UK-EU relations is settled".
*John Springford, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, asked the question whether "an 'independent' Britain want to join the single market". He further hypothesised; "this does not mean that an independent Britain should eschew a trade agreement with China" in relation to a United Kingdom outside of EU control on trade agreements. He concluded that "Britain should remain in the EU".
Foreign opinion
Support
Australia
*Senator James Paterson, in April 2016, stated "Britain would be more prosperous, free and secure outside the European Union".
France
*Marine Le Pen, National Front leader and MEP, speaking after the Brexit vote in an emergency meeting at the European Parliament, stated "British people had decided in their sovereignty" and "broken their chains". In an interview with the BBC Newsnight she said the UK's decision to withdraw was about "the fundamental issue of liberty and sovereignty."
Hungary
*Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, said the British voter's decision "must be respected" and that they were addressing a solution to a “modern-age Great Migration of peoples”, trying to keep their lives in their own hands and “preserve their island”.
Netherlands
*Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Freedom Party, congratulated the United Kingdom on the EU referendum result, stating ""they are in charge again, they are a national sovereign country again. They are in charge of their own borders, their own immigration policy, their own budget and their own money."
United States of America
*Joe D. Franklin, CFP, in reference to Brexit vote, claimed that the United Kingdom had "chosen to regain their sovereignty: to regain control of their borders, their banking system, their rights as British citizens, and their regulatory bodies."
*Newt Gingrich, former US Speaker of the House, referring to Brexit personally thanked Nigel Farage, former leader of UKIP, live on US television (during Fox Business coverage of the 2016 RNC) for "achieving UK independence once again".
*Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City stated that British citizens were an "independent people" who had "made a very, very heroic stand" when speaking about the Brexit result of the referendum vote.
*, Fox News anchor, congratulated the British people on Brexit, claiming that they "didn't want to be part of an open border society" and that they were "now going to have their own country and try to get it back." He added that immigration had driven the consensus of change back toward self-governance, saying it was "too much, too fast and they're not assimilating."
*Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and Vice President Republican nominee, congratulated the U.K., claiming the "Brexit referendum is akin to our own Declaration of Independence." She encouraged further withdrawals from the United Nations for both the US and UK, stating "May UN shackles be next on the chopping block."
*Donald Trump, Republican Presidential candidate, when questioned on the morning of Brexit, replied "people want to take their country back, they want independence." Trump received an impromptu round of applause at a press conference in Scotland when he stated; "There's never been a better ally" and, in relation to Obama's "back of the queue" comment, claimed "they would always be at the front of the line, they've been amazing allies, in good times and bad times."
Opposition
United States
*Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate, claimed "one of Britain's most prominent right-wing leaders, a man named Nigel Farage, stoked anti-immigrant sentiments to win the referendum to have Britain leave the European Union."
*Christopher Dickey, Daily Beast Foreign Editor, on the Brexit vote, claimed "what this was really about fear, xenophobia, and in some cases, certainly racism."
Independence Day
In the lead up to the referendum on EU membership, there were cross-party calls and public appeals for 23 June to be recognised as 'Independence Day' and be made a national holiday in the United Kingdom. On 29 June 2016, an online petition on the UK Parliament government website calling for 23 June to be "designated as Independence Day, and celebrated annually" reached over 20,000 signatories. As obliged, the government responded, stating there were "no current plans to create another public holiday."
Support
*Godfrey Bloom TD, former MEP, on 4 July stated "Happy Independence Day to all my American chums, I now know how it feels" in reference to a British independence day.
*John R. Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, in relation to US "Independence Day" and "Brexit", claimed "we should celebrate our ally reclaiming its sovereignty".
*Ted R. Bromund, senior research fellow and of The Heritage Foundation, claimed that "for the UK, June 23 is Independence Day".
*James Delingpole, columnist, writing for Breitbart News on 23 June stated "Britain's Independence Day is here" and that the "British people sensed the momentousness of the occasion".
*Kevin Dowd, economist, writing for the Independent Institute, claimed "Thursday, 23 June 2016, will go down in history as the United Kingdom’s own Independence Day."
*Bill Etheridge, West Midlands MEP, said "June 23 was a momentous day in our history" and that "our country will be sovereign once more and to celebrate that I believe June 23 should be an annual Independence Day bank holiday."
*Matthew Gagnon, writer and political strategist, declared; "Happy Independence Day, Great Britain", adding that the "British people have decided they would like that control back", with reference to Brexit.
*Andrea Leadsom, MP and 2016 Conservation leader candidate, on 20 June 2016 said "I look forward to celebrating our Independence Day with you all." After the Brexit result, she expressed a "Huge congratulations on our Independence Day" to the British public.
*Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary, declared 23 June can be "Britain's independence day" in a debate in front of a 6000-member audience at Wembley Arena.
*Nigel Farage, UKIP MEP, stated "let June 23rd go down in our history as our Independence Day", and that it "must now be made a national holiday."
*Mark Reckless, former Member of Parliament, "saluted the achievement" of a British "Independence Day".
*WND, on the morning of the Brexit result, reported "it's Independence Day for Great Britain" and that "immigration policies set by the EU were a major concern of those favoring independence."
Opposition
*Yasmin Ahmed, columnist for the The Independent, claimed "using the rhetoric of 'Independence Day' is deeply insensitive" and that "calling for a British Independence Day is wounding to all nations that revolted and fought hard against British colonial rule."
*Ruby Hamad, columnist at Daily Life Australia, insisted people should not "call Brexit the UK's 'Independence Day'" and that "this is Britain throwing an epic tantrum at the mere prospect of having to share the spoils of its plundering past."
*Alex Hudson, deputy editor of Metro UK, said of the Brexit result "this is not the UK’s version of Independence Day, it’s the exact opposite."
*Sam Lewis-Hargreave, journalist and researcher, claimed that "even if we do consider celebrating this day in the future" that the "23rd June was absolutely not the UK’s Independence Day."
*John Oliver, English comedian and political commentator, speaking on his show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver stated that "Britian was already independent, in fact, it's what many other countries celebrate their independence from."
Neutral
*Brian Menickella, Forbes contributor, said "there are plenty of capable minds who aim to capitalize on what has now been dubbed, 'UK’s Independence day.'"
Cultural impact
Literature, poetry and history
*Archibald Alison FRS FRSE , priest and essayist, wrote in Blackwood's Magazine in 1833, when speaking of British Jacobins that "the downfall of British power, the decay of British glory, the loss of British independence, is to them a matter of no sort of regret, provided the Tricolour is triumphant, and the cause of revolution is making progress in the world."
*James Silk Buckingham MP, in 1827 wrote, when speaking of "British born and Anglo-Indian subjects" in India; "asserting their rights in language worthy of free men, claiming trial by jury as their birthright with all the manliness of British feeling, and the fearlessness of British independence."
*G. K. Chesterton's The Secret People is considered to have somewhat prophesied the Brexit vote, namely two specific lines: "Smile at us, pay us, pass us; but do not quite forget; For we are the people of England, that never have spoken yet." Chesterton scholar Dr. Julia Stapleton, in reference to the arguable foreshadowing of revolution, suggested that the European Union is "an organisation that holds independent nationhood and democratic self-government in contempt."
*Dustin H. Griffin, historian and author, claimed that "some monitor the falling away from British ideals, or hint at the dark side of the very thing they celebrate - British power, British commerce, or the spirit of British independence."
*Cyrena N. Pondrom, Proffessor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, with reference to early 20th century literature and speaking specifically of T. S. Eliot, stated that "British independence meant an eclectic individual approach to contemporary French poetry and some resistance to imitation".
*Richard Brinsley Sheridan MP, on 8 December 1802, gave a speech on war with France, stating that "every man feels when he returns from France that he is coming from a dungeon to enjoy the light and life of British independence." Speaking of Napoleon Bonaparte committing acts of aggression against the British people, he claimed that "they are ready to enter singly into the contest, rather than suffer any attack upon their honour and their independence."
*John Richetti, Mellon Emeritus Fellow, speaking of the mid-1600's British post civil-war self-image regarding identity and literature, claimed "steering a new course that preserved British independence and originality was no easy task."
*Jacob George Strutt, landscape painter and engraver, wrote in his 1822 Sylva Britannica that "The British Oak," is "inseparably associated...in the minds of Englishmen" with "the ideas of British power, and British independence."
Merchandising
Although the United Kingdom has a long history of patriotic merchandising, use of the Union Jack in fashion, corporate branding and decorative retail displays; British independence related merchandising has grown more popular in recent history and peaked in the wake of the Brexit result.
*Spreadshirt include a "British Independence Day" clothing line on their UK site, including a t-shirt, baby bib and mug, which features the union jack, firework display and the date 24 June, in reference to the date the Brexit result was announced.
In other media
Musical references, parodies, and homages
*Attorney at law Gordon Robinson's satirical article titled "All hail British independence!" claimed that "Britons exhaled as ties to that evil empire, the European Union, were cut" in reference to the Brexit result.
*News Thump, on 22 June, published a surrealist article claiming the EU would "respond to British ‘Independence Day’ with gigantic spaceships and Death-rays", in reference to the film Independence Day: Resurgence, which had been released a few days previously.

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