As a Scot living in England, I say roll on the day that England finally realises that England and Britain are not synonyms. The greatest disaster in British history is the suppression of purely English history and tradition to the dictates of empire-building. The looming disaster is that the English are going to sleep-walk into an empire that isn't theirs and from which they will never be able to depart - for evidence look into the real reasons for the US Civil War; slavery was a bandwagon, not an underlying cause.
The greatest single issue in this episode of history is the blatant disregard for the people by our so-called democratic government. I agree with an earlier commentator - get on the web site and sign the petition. Lobby tour local MP by email and telephone. Let the politicians know that, in a democracy, we pay them to do what we say - their job is to make sure the civil servants don't rob us blind. Unless they were elected under false pretences of course.

KR, Stockport,

Loss of our Nation is too Valuable to risk on a Silly vote, we need to tear up the 1972 Treaty and Just Leave the EU...NOW...
Will the Germans stop selling us their cars, will the Bulgarians stop selling us their wine....Will the Spaniarrs say we can't sit on their Beachesany more....It's all a con...Just Leave, I wouold not trust such an important Iue to a vote...Get Out...we are a Great (if declining nation)....we can be so again....the British People just need to get back to our roots....as an Industrious, Innovative Nation....without the Hinderance of Mass Mass Soviet Style Beaurocracy....

Adrian Peirson, Luton, Beds

In the same way the English don't like being ruled by the Scots. We Cornish don't like being ruled by the English. If the UK is to be devolved than any English parliament should have it laws possibly vetoed by the Cornish Stannary Parliament in sovreignty for the Cornish people. Fair is fair old boy.

Terence, St Ives, Kernow

Mr Moorhouse - you chose, I assume, to be governed by the French did you not?

What is wrong about the rest of us wanting a similar choice, rather than having foreign control foisted upon us?

I McNeice, Craigavon,

England is a much more multicultural country than scotland and a new reborn english cultural awareness should take account of this. As for Glen beckett who still says the English confuse english identity for british identity.... i agree how many times have we heard the british forces esp. in WW2 (in which a disproportionate number of scots fought) we here refered to as English ie England stood alone in 1940 - quite insulting really. It seems the confusion of identity was quite selective. When English soccer fans invariably cause riots aroad then we are all british all of a sudden.

douglas mcdonnell, auckland, NZ

Our consitution is based on parliamentary sovereignty which means that no one decision taken by parliament is written in stone. All of the "constitutional" changes made in the last 30 years, such as membership of the EU and devolution can be revoked. What force would a referendum of the EU constitution really have. We base the practice of our government on what works. If the proposed changes to the EU rules do not work for us - let's review it when we know this. Of course, all this talk of loss of sovereignty is premised on preferred withdrawal from the Union by those that advocate this view. Give me an alternative to British membership (make that English membership as the Scots and Welsh are fervent supporters) and euro phobes might sound less negative. As regards English nationalism. The concept is based on what we are NOT, unlike the Scots and Welsh. Let them have it. I don't want another layer of government telling me what to do.

DC, London,

Please give us, the English our independance so that we can wave our little flags, celebrate St. Georges day without the guilt of the Union or the Empire.

William Lyons, Liverpool,

The United Kingdom has outlived its course and England should be independent. If the English had had a say Scotland and Wales would be independent now, but the English are never asked.

The EU has become an unwieldy juggarnaut of socialism which suppresses dissent and is rolling us towards a mass collectivism devoid of democracy.

England is better off being free of both "Unions".

Stephen Gash, Carlisle, England

I disagree with Michael Moorhouse - I am a 35 year old 'average' Tory voter, and I agree with the points made in this article. I would object strongly to sovereignty being surrendered without a referendum of the people. I certainly didn't vote for the Scot to be my Prime Minister....but then again, neither did anyone else.

Helen, London,

WMG writes: "The lesson of English law and history is that independence does not belong to the monarch, or even to the parliament; it belongs to the people. That is why a national referendum is the only right way to decide whether national independence should be transferred to a foreign power, or should be reclaimed."

How much more fundamental and necessary, then, that the people are heard about the far greater issue of changing this country into a "city of the world". Why doesn't William Rees-Mogg attach importance to the rights of the English to their own homeland, as well as to who governs over them?

Guessedworker, Lewes, England

This has absolutely nothing to do with being English. Gordon Brown is indeed not English, neither does he need to be to govern and represent the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This is not a matter of English independence, it is a matter of British Independence. If we must talk of English independence, then let's compare like for like, in which case, English independence compares with Scottish independence. It is Mr Rees-Mogg who does not understand English nationalism for he mistakes it with British nationalism. English independence would mean an English Parliament subsidiary to the United Kingdom parliament, which, as a Scot, I would be very much in favour of since it might help make clear to the English the difference between England and the United Kingdom. Talk about British independence from Europe if you must, but English independence has no relevance here.

D Campbell, Glasgow, SCOTLAND

Why is it that such an eminent political commentator as William Rees-Mogg still confuses what is England and what is Britain, this is revealed in the statement "We know what the English people want. The latest poll for Great Britain...", equally in the statement is the word WE, who is this WE? and how does this WE know what the English want? when the English have never been asked. Mr Ress-Mogg talks about the possible bribery leading to the loss of the Irish and Scottish Parliaments, this assumes that an English Parliament remains intact which it does not, the English lost thier parliament under the act of union.

Given the fall of Empire and the recent devolution settlements to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the only colony the British Govt now rule is England.

It is time the people of England were given thier chance to vote for thier own devolution, for thier own Parliament and for a voice that the WE do not know of,

Barry (The Elder), London, England

While Mr Rees Mogg rightly says that independence for Scotland is a matter for the Scots, he does not seem to notice that the English have not even been offered a referendum on whether they would like to have their own Parliament, with the same powers as the Scottish Parliament, within the UK let alone whether they too might like to become an independent nation. All that was offered to the English, in 2004, was the opportunity to have their country parcelled up into nine regions. Most emphatically, they did not want that.
The British governent, as Mr Rees Mogg, righlty implies, behaves as a quasi-colonial power ruling its internal 'British empire', taking distant view of 'petty nationalism' while selling out to the EU. Mr Brown signed the Claim of Right for Scotland which recognised the sovereign right of the Scottish people to decide the form of government best suited to their needs. That must apply to all the British nations. It is time Mr Brown was called to account.

Ian Campbell, West Horsley Surrey, England

What makes you think Brown is a patriot?

william, Northwood,

Well done Mr. Rees-Mogg.
But could you please find any of our "English M.P.s"willing to stand and defend England?I think not .Frank Field is the only one who springs to mind ,the rest are silent.

E.Justice, Gateshead, England

What a brilliant piece of writing !
David Cameron could not do better than to read out this article during the next debate in the House of Commons, on the European Constitution.

Barry Smart, La Chapelle de Guinchay, France

Excellent article - many Scottish nationalists who previously blamed England for all of Scotland's ills, now realise that the English have an equal right to national sovereignty. The now see the real threat to these two proud and ancient nations, nowadays natural allies, comes from New Labour's British nationalism.

James Stalker, Ayr, Scotland

Gordon Brown is not a British patriot. He is an International Socialist. So is Blair, they create a fog out of everything so that nobody can see what they are really up to.

Roger Sykes, Christchurch, New Zealand

A referendum is in this case justified and should be held forthwith.
However I fear it is highly unlikely to happen. Brown has too much to lose.. The "treaty" will be rammed thru' parliament with minimum discussion. RIP UK.

Stan(expat), USA,

Once again we see the error of the concept of sovereignty. In Scotland sovereignty lies with the people not with parliament and so can never be transferred anywhere, unless the entire population of Scotland was transferred to London!

Keith Muir, Edinburgh, Scotland

These politicians are only banging on about Britain to keep the concept of Britain in Europe alive. I believe Scots and Welsh politicians in particular (including those in English seats) are only interested in Britain until England is carved into some kind of eu regions and submerged into the eu. At that moment they will walk away back to their mono - cultural and un-concreted home lands and to hell with the English.
When will English MP's stand up and speak for England, we have been asked nothing about what we want for England and her people?.

keith young, Durham, England

William Ree-Mogg omits to say whether he regards himself first & foremost as Welsh? How dare he say: "that the issue of Scottish independence is [not] a matter for me, or for the English generally" and "we do not have the right to take their national decisions on independence away from them."? Just who are the 'we' he mentions?

Of course the 38 million voters in England should have a say not only about THEIR independence, but also that of Scotland's. The English nation has never been allowed a say about anything, whilst the 6 million voters in Scotland, Wales & N Ireland have had five referenda between them.

Rees-Mogg should realise that referenda are merely a means of expressing collective opinion, and the English have been denied even that! Implementation itself is effected by the British Government, currently dominated by 'minorities' discriminating against England over a range of issues,

It's high time the English were afforded fair treatment in constitutional matters!

Alan England, York, ENGLAND

To Mark from Birmingham, I say that the English have neither the right nor the authority to throw the Scots and the Welsh back to their capitals in Edinburgh and Cardiff, for the Palace of Westminster and the Parliament therein belongs as much to the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as to the people of England.

So for argument's sake, I say throw the English out of Westminster and let them find their own home as the rest of us did!

We Scots, Welsh and people of Northern Ireland are not lodgers in England, we are equal partners in the United Kingdom. After 300 years, the majority of the people of England still don't grasp that.

D J Campbell, Glasgow, UK

I can't fault your logic, but you're missing the real point here. Voting no to the treaty merely delays the inevitable. It will be resurrected in another form and next time you can be sure that none of the European people will be given the chance to reject it. So is the EU way.
I'm with Ming and want a vote on something worthwhile. Why ess around on the fringes when you can get to the heart of the matter once and for all? Are we to be in charge of our own destiny or not?

Jon Burgess, Douglas, Isle of Man

Dear Lord Rees Mogg,

I have maximum sympathy with the situation of the Scots who are a very proud nation and I also respect their cultural history much of which is a shared culture with the other constituent parts of the UK.

May I press you for some insight into the claims of the Scots that they own North Sea oil (notwithstanding the Barnett Agreement) etc... etc... , and will be self sufficient should they 'leave' the UK?

A balanced article from you would be greatly appreciated. mind they would only

Pete Balchin, Solicitor , Bristol, UK

The Headline states the case, there is no need for an explanation nor reasoning.

Patrick Harris, Portsmouth, England

An excellet article. As an English nationalist with Scottish family roots I am strongly for both English and Scottish independence. Likewise a referendum on the EU 'treaty' is essential. A thousand years of history will be thrown in the trash can if we merely become provinces dictated by an unelected, unaccountable, self perpetrating elite in Brussels. After the treaty our independence will shrink to the point where we become part of some amorphous quasi Euroculture.

We must absolutely demand the referendum and refuse these deals cooked up behind closed doors.

oldasiahand, Manila, Philippines

At the time of the Union the Scots received £375,000 (in today's money many £Bn) to compensate them for taking on a share of the National Debt. How are they going to pay it back?

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

"In their hearts many Scots never accepted this English predominance. They rebelled in 1715 and 1745."

Neither the "15" nor the "45" were rebellions against the Union but Jacobite risings against the Hanoverian succession--both of which were opposed by considerably more Scots than supported them.

MickJ, LONDON, UK

Rees Mogg assumes Brown will agree at Lisbon, whereas, he may find reasons from this meeting to hold a referendum. It may be his trump card and take any wind out of the Conservative's sails! If he doesn't the Tories will have every reason to hold up the Scottish red card and cry "foul"!

Peter, London,

I'm Scottish, I like the English and even admire them. However I find this article offensive as it makes out the Scots are responsible for taking UK into Europe.
Nevermind the fact that the Scots,Welsh and N Irish have had to live with decisions made by English or otherwise Prime Minsisters and Politicians far longer than the beginnings of the New Labour Party.
I think Scotland should be Independent not because I dislike the English but because I think that the people living North of the Border would be better off making their own decisions no matter be they English, Chines or Immigrants from any other country.
Independence needs to move on from base Nationalism before it becomes acceptable and Politicians need to remember this when playing games to win votes.
I hope that Independence when it comes will benefit England as much as Scotland or any other part of the UK.

Jamie Jackson, Glasgow, Scotland

You forgot to mention that the English parliament seized to exist after 1707 as well..
England never actually took Scotland by force,It was a hanful of people in the Scots parliament who sold out.Most Scots didnt want the Union.And it was nearly 100yrs before the Scots got to sit at Westminster after that,And the English ridiculed them for accent etc etc .Also the Union has been geared and shifted to suit England .Which suits English needs not Scots.So i can also understand why Scotland is where it is today,Scotland has to shout louder to be heard and who can blame them Good luck to them.We in England just sit and do nothing We must shout louder and make things happen like Scotland.

D Paterson, Blackpool, Lancs

England lost its parliament in 1707 as did Scotland!

D Paterson, Blackpool, Lancs

New Labour is, in this respect, the same old Labour. It is committed to socialism. This is a socialism which will avoid, when ever possible, any participation of the people. Europeanism is the vehicle of socialism'sdestruction of the freedom of the British people's.

DANIEL SULLIVAN, ARRAIAL DO CABO, BRASIL

Gordon Brown should have a chat with Mikhail Gorbachev, who was in a similar position in 1991, vis-a-vis the Soviet Union vs Russia.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

We, the authentic Celts, have been waiting decades for the English to claim their independence. English nationalism is now acceptable, while Scottish/Welsh nationalism wasn't three decades ago.

Some of us were praying for English independence in the 1970s. That would have ensured independence for Scotland and Wales as a "by-product" !

Better late than never !!

John, Bangor, Wales

I dare say as an American who duly admires England and all of her historic accomplishments... It will be sad to say goodbye to The U.K. and hello to simply another EU "state"

Richie, Lynn, USA , MA

Who is a scot? Just a person living in Scotland like Yorkshire folk in Orkney? Tye latter had a vote those like me did not.
I regard myself as a proud archetypal scot - born in the US, of immigrant, scotish parents living in the UK since the age of 10; educated in Scotland (Edin. Univ.) and England; served in the RAF; spent my whole professional life in England.
I am an out and out unionist, believing England and Scotland together are greater than separate. But unfair anomalies must be corrected. And, for God's sake, let us not be subsumed in the EU.

Dr J Findlater, Carnforth,

I am broadly in agreement with the thrust of Rees-Mogg's argument for Scottish independence, namely that the Scots, and the Scots alone, should decide their final destiny. This right in now enshrined in British law for the people of Northern Ireland and therefore cannot be denied the Scots. As a matter of historical fact, Lloyd-George and Churchill denied the whole people of Ireland a referendum on whether they should remain or leave the UK and that was the cause of nearly a century of conflict. It was by no means certain then that Ireland would have voted to leave the UK and I have no doubt that Scotland would think long and hard before taking this irretrievable step now. However, as Rees-Mogg points out, the main political and legal challenge to the UK today is the new EU treaty not Scottish independence. If Brown retreats from his manifesto's promise to give the whole of the UK a vote on its future relationship with Europe then the de facto break-up of the UK is inevitable.

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece

This is the most sense I have heard or read from any commentator on the current status of the UK.

As a Scottish nationalist I did not expect to say that about an article in the Times by WRM.

GC, Glasgow,

This is a huge issue.
If ignored it will result in some serious rethinking by all aspect of English society. Much of it for the worse.
English Independence is the key to the continuity of Britain and essential for future good relationships in Europe.
The English are becoming a lost people without identity or rights.
I am sure that if this is not addressed now it will destroy Brown and this Parliament

John Albert , Lisbon, Portugal

Two thirds of Scots did not vote for the SNP in the last Holyrood elections which should make it perfectly obvious that most people here are not interested in independence. The vote for the SNP is more a symptom of Scotland's loss of faith in Labour. Since the Tories have rendered themselves unelectable North of the border the SNP is the only protest vote available. It is a gross error for anyone to interpret Salmond's party being in Holyrood as any indication that independence is even remotely desired.

Jim, Edinburgh, UK

My view - as someone who is British ( ie an immigrant) is that it is sad that the British who have ties of race and history should be so keen to Balkanise. That can only diminish all of us. And yes, we do 100% need a referendum on Europe, whether the PM is a Scot, and whether ( please let us forget about the supposed moral superiority of the Left on social grounds ) or not he is Feton or Ettes educated.

Margaux, Crouch End,

The Irish parliament was abolished in 1800 when the Act of Union was passed. This UK initiative was a draconian reaction to the bloody rebellion of 1798.

Otherwise I share the writer's belief that English nationalism is something that if apparently ignored will rear its bulldog head assertively. EU treaties should be subject to referenda, regardless of brimming tensions between nationalists in the United Kingdom.

Garry Browne, Leeds,

In his support for Scottish independence, William Rees-Mogg reminds us of the primacy of self-determination. He says in effect that sovereignty lies not with the monarch or parliament, but the people. I agree. Anything else is at best feudalism, at worst slavery. This is why I would like to hear a much more forthright condemnation of the Israeli occupation of Palestine from Rees-Mogg. If not, he could be accused of double standards. But he doesn’t strike me as that sort of man. So, how about it William?

Nick Ferriman, Bangkok, Thailand

Decades ago the Welsh/Scottish Celts were ridiculed for being nationalists. But it is OK for the English to be, when it suits them.

Indeed many Celts in the 1970s wanted England to claim their independence so that the Welsh/Scots would have to follow !

Scotland and Wales would have done just as well as Ireland (bless them!) in the ECC. What a transformation there would have been.

Better late than ever. But Scotland and Wales missed their opportunities. After three decades in the EEC as independent states they would be as well off as the Irish, if not better.

John, North Wales,

The beauty and surely the purpose of the Scottish Parliament, Mark from Birmingham, is that after 18 years of utterly unwanted Tory rule in Scotland in the Thatcher/Major era, we Scots now have a voice.
No longer shall we be dictated to by the English electorate and condescended to by Westminster.
We Scots learned through the bitter experience of the 1992 general election that a vote for any party other than Labour in Westminster is a vote for the Tories. Hence, we have a Labour Government at Westminster and an SNP Government at Holyrood.

D J Campbell, Glasgow, UK

Thank you Mark from Birmingham for raising the notion of an English Parliament. A distinction between England and the United Kingdom would indeed be a good thing. However, let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. The United Kingdom deserves a fair hearing for it's continued existence.

As for the Scots forcing a Labour Government on England? Ha! If only you had any idea what it was like to be Scottish through the Thatcher/Major years and to have suffered a Tory Government utterly unwanted in Scotland for those 18 years, inflicted upon us by the English electorate regardless of the will of the people of Scotland.

D J Campbell, Glasgow, UK

The Westminster is the home of the Parliament of the United Kingdom: get your own English Parliament.

D J Campbell, Glasgow, UK

Alex Salmon is Englands only hope- we will never be allowed to vote ourselves. Too many Politicians jobs at stake.

R James, Bristol, UK

How naive of ol' Bill. He says 'All sound politics is based on trust', Well yes!
Unfortunately this oxymoron should never be used in polite society. There are many 'legal murders' in many parts of the world but to suggest that a truthful politician exists is beyond the pale.
Please William, pull your socks up and try to do better in future.

tariq, ashford,

We all know Labour is only ruling the UK because it has a massive constituency in Scotland. You only have to look at the masses of Scots in the cabinet and in Government to see this is so.

Perversely, Scotland does not have a labour government itself, but has enforced one on England through the UK parliament ! England is not considered worthy of its own Parliament of course.

Where is Labour's mandate to rule England? Where is Labour's delivery on their promise to allow the UK a vote on Europe? Where is England's parliament?

I say throw the Scots and Welsh back to their capitals in Edinburgh and Cardiff and reclaim The Palace of Westminster for England. Let Edinburgh rule Scotland and Westminster rule England. After all, wasn't that always the only logical and equitable conclusion to devolution?

As for the EU, abandon it before it is too late. Where is the accountability? Where is its moral credibility?

Goodbye democracy... its was nice knowing you.

Mark, Birmingham, UK

Isn't it a little late to discuss loss of sovereignty: we haven't boasted a separate English national sovereignty since the second World War. We have been in thrall to the Americans both financially -wouldn't you have thought genuine friends and allies would cancel debts incurred fighting against Nazism prior to their own late entry into the War- and politically: in addition, of course, to the Europeans. Heath and Thatcher ensured that dual enslavement. The sovereignty horse has long since bolted, as the Scots have fully appreciated in now wishing to unhitch their own wagon from the empty shafts. Mourn the passing of a great nation with a history and culture second to none: now no more! destroyed from within.

T. Caulfield, London, England

England is not a political entity.
We have others to speak on our behalf and also depend on them (By gaining their own independance) to give us our voice

mike, oxford, england

I think UK must remain united to face the new challenges of this exciting new era that we are going into.
UK united has been too important for the rest of the world and has done too much good in the name o freedom and has given too many blood to be destroyed for nothing in the name of independence.-

Antonio Sanchez, Málaga, Spain

"However, our government rigidly adheres to old fashioned diplomacy of not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and respecting national sovereignty, ..."

Really. What about Iraq?

J Williamson, East Kilbride, Scotland

Rees - Mogg is slowly groping towards the truth . This is that England , just as much as Scotland , needs to be free and self ruling .

We need all the features of an independent self ruling country

ie an national English parliament ( which the British parliament is not and cannot ever be )
an English national executive
an English prime minister both answerable to the English parliament
English fiscal independence and total control of our own affairs .

Simple really - just like most other independent countries .

I suppose this could take place within the context of a continuing United Kingdom - not that the English were ever consulted about being corralled into a United Kingdom in the first place . However , the opinion polls show that a majority of the English would go for complete independence if ever they got the chance .

J Blitz, London , England

This fiction that 'England" funds Scotland has to stop. Nothing could be further from the truth, and one has to wonder from whom and to what purpose it became polular with a certain segment of the London mind.

The Scots have never considered England outside London as a problem, but London is a different thing all together. It is after all, Scotland's capital with all the powers that entails.

Regardless of that particular irritant, we are all part of great sweeps of history. The 'Union' was more a part of the colonial age than anything else. The break up of that 'Union' will be recognised as part of a similar great shift, into loose confederations of mutual interest.

John Simon, Edmonton,

If people are so upset about the lack of a referendum on the EU Treaty, why are they not signing the e-petition on the Number 10 web site.

Richard, Thame, Oxfordshire

This is not just about the Scottish, Welsh or Irish leaving the UK. Has anyone ever given us (in my case English) the choice ?

Please give us our independance so that we can wave our little flags, celebrate St. Georges day and spend our considerable financial resources within England without the guilt of the Union or the Empire.

William Lyons, Liverpool,

Scotland and independence, really means being weaned off British funding and dipping their hands into the European pot. However, once this happens, the European crowbar will be used to dismantle what we once knew of the British Union. We will be known then for being a sum lesser than it's parts!

Warren R Sykes, Halifax, West Yorks

The Scots did not rebel in 1715 or 1745. Jacobite supporters of the Catholic House of Stewart rebelled.

Calum, Bru, Lewis

I cannot wait for Scottish Independence. Then little England will realise it needs to be in the EU to survive. We punch way above our weight and we no longer have the means, alone, to support that punch.

Richard, Plymouth,

After 35 years living and working overseas, I am in two minds about England. On the one hand, I want my country to be free and remain linked to its long culture and history: on the other hand I am already almost international with a family stretching from the Caribbean to Warsaw! Perhaps the time has passed when we can belong to any one nation. However, our government rigidly adheres to old fashioned diplomacy of not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and respecting national sovereignty, and giving very little help to the large diaspora of English overseas. It should make up its mind of where we belong!

Brian Lewis, Manila, Philippines

Mr. Moorhouse, Rees-Mogg's brand of wisdom is not flawed - I write from England not France. I agree with him and you, sir, have the audacity to try and speak for other readers. Unlike an apparent Labour Sheep', I can think, read and write for myself.

Donald Mason, Preston, Lancashire

An excellent article with lots of common sense. Too many English people still confuse their English identity with that of a British one, whereas our friends north of the border rarely do the same. The Yookay would be much better off if it split up, allowing its constituent parts to become independent nations again. Don't forget that the English are still currently without their own parliament, national anthem and a public holiday for St George's day - it's only a matter of time before this is achieved, although we need the help of the Scots to realise this dream as they are more likely to initiate the break up of the Disunited kingdom.

Glenn Beckett, Sydney, Australia

It is time for Rees-Mogg to be retired.
His time has passed and the modern world moves on .
For the average Tory voter ,aged nearly seventy , he may well read well. For the remainder of the readers his brand of potted wisdom is deeply flawed.

Michael Moorhouse., Bazauges, France

The statement, "If the treaty becomes law, we shall be living in a different country: we shall have lost our independence in 2007, as Scotland did in 1707," is pure hyperbole. Nevertheless, the decision to surrender sovereignty (or to reclaim it) should be made by referendum.

A C Doty, Merton, UK