ARE we witnessing the most organic wave of online discussion about the break-up of the United Kingdom in a decade?
Ross Colquhoun, head of media for the SNP, certainly thinks so.
Writing on Twitter/X after yesterday’s Celtic Alliance meeting in Cardiff, he said he had not seen “this level of organic pro-independence content from across Scotland, Wales and Ireland” since the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
He added: “A genuinely historic political moment in Cardiff: one that transcended party politics and found its way into grassroots.
“It also broke into the modern social news and influencer space, both domestically and internationally, as a genuinely groundbreaking moment. And, as a sign of the times, much of that impact and excitement will not be reflected in our nations’ traditional media.”
And, judging by the videos doing the rounds, he may have a point.
Rapper Jay Jay posted an explainer telling followers that “Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are about to sign a deal that could break up the United Kingdom”.
One commenter thanked him for explaining the story. Jay Jay replied that he had learned plenty himself while researching it.
Easy Politics, a page dedicated to making politics easier to understand, posed the question: “Is the UK about to break up?”
US influencer BeautyMrk went for a slightly more dramatic opening.
“The United Kingdom is on the verge of completely dissolving and it’s happening a lot faster than you think,” he told viewers.
Indian influencer Nishant Mishra, who now lives in the UK, offered a round-up of the events and added: “Watch this space, it’s a long game in the making.”
Northern Irish comedian Megan McKay took a more theatrical approach, posting a skit in which England throws a tantrum after being left out of the Cardiff meeting.
“At the end of the day, I’ve done so much for you guys, and you can’t even invite me to your little hangout in f****** Cardiff,” her character complains.
A fair representation of at least one imagined Downing Street reaction.
And then there was Big John (John Fisher) who entered the constitutional debate with a message for the Union.
“I am a proud Englishman but also extremely proud to be British,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Our history and our future will forever be entwined and we cannot let self-serving politicians break us up.
“We are stronger together.
“Yes, we are all slightly different and let’s embrace our differences and live together and fight together as we have done.
“Do not let politics or politicians divide us.
“United Kingdom bosh.”
And there we have it. International politics and the future of the Union, all concluded with “United Kingdom bosh”.
If the clips spreading online are anything to go by, independence and reunification have found a much bigger audience than the usual political obsessives following on from the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein meeting.
Whether that audience has been persuaded, confused or simply entertained remains to be seen.
