Zerreißprobe in Großbritannien: In Schottland, Nordirland und Wales wächst Drang nach Unabhängigkeit

In Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, the desire for independence is growing. And the Queen must fear for the unity of the United Kingdom. Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic have hit Britain hard economically. Only the successful vaccination program has recently been able to convince some of the value of the Union. The British government is desperately searching for solutions to counter the centrifugal forces. What the British can rely on amidst all this upheaval is their Queen. She is the glue that holds the kingdom together. Few revere her as much as the unionists in Northern Ireland. Their aim is close ties to the mother country, Great Britain. But Brexit has de facto created a trade border in the Irish Sea and brought Northern Ireland closer to the Republic of Ireland. For weeks, there have been repeated violent protests. The unionists feel betrayed by London and Brexit. Traditionally, the Queen spends her summer holidays at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. Young people in dynamic and sometimes rough Glasgow may find the old lady sympathetic, but ultimately, they don't care. The Brexit vote, so disliked by the Scots, has given the independence movement new ammunition. Even in tiny Wales, support for secession is growing. During the coronavirus crisis, the Welsh government pursued its own policy, even banning entry to the UK for English citizens. And in England, the pandemic can no longer mask the many contradictions. Some businesses are suffering under the burden of the new bureaucracy – such as fishing companies and, indeed, all those heavily dependent on exports to the EU. Others, however, have seen their businesses flourish since leaving the EU. This documentary traces the gradual fragmentation of the United Kingdom into its constituent nations, businesses, and families. Who has benefited from Brexit, who is suffering the most, and what paths will Britain take to recover from the double economic blow of COVID and Brexit? And: How is the Queen fighting to protect her legacy? You can find more from the foreign affairs program here: https://kurz.zdf.de/HCa/ _____ Here on ZDFheute News, you'll find out what's happening in the world and what affects us all: We provide clarity in the world of news, explain the background, and address social debates. Join us for live discussions and form your own opinion based on the facts we present. Subscribe to our channel so you don't miss anything. Stay up-to-date at http://www.ZDFheute.de/. #foreignaccount #GreatBritain #Independence