One of the effects of Brexit that is overlooked by people outside of the UK is the effect that it will have on the Union itself. In 2014 during the Scottish independence referendum those favouring remaining in the UK prevailed by about 11%. One of the strongest arguments made by those who favoured remaining was that an independent Scotland would not accede to the EU automatically, according to the EU itself, but would have to apply as a new member (in part the fear was that other regions of Europe such as Catalonia would follow Scotland's example). Now in 2019 the Scots who favoured remaining in the UK so as to maintain EU membership are being told they'll have a hard exit. If there's a replay of the 2014 referendum in the future there's no assurance that Scots will choose to remain, with Brexit increasing the possibility of a disintegration of the Union with only England, Wales and Northern Ireland remaining. Over the horizon it's even possible that Northern Ireland (given the appropriate demographic changes) will peel off and join up with the Irish Republic.
Northern Ireland definitely prefers very much to remain in the EU, whether they want to join the Irish Republic is a separate issue, but it's easy to see them splitting away within the next decade or so. "The United Kingdom of England and Wales" has quite the ring to it doesn't it?
Yes, the union of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The union between England and Wales dates back to 1536, Scotland became part of the Union in 1707 (Scotland, England and Wales comprising Great Britain), and Northern Ireland (1922). There was a union with all 32 counties of Ireland in 1801.
