ON WESTMINSTER Long live the Union!

PANDEMIC-caused social and economic collapse, rising prices, inflation, regular industrial unrest, Russian and Chinese aggression, the consequent threat of extended war in Europe and the Far East.

Not a pretty sight, now is it? In a time of crisis what is Britain in the midst of? An unnecessary Tory leadership battle and a consequently paralysed UK government (anybody wanting to be PM in such circumstances needs their head examined).

Even without all this chaos, the UK as a constitutional entity has never been more at risk. The “United” Kingdom is anything but. It is on the verge of falling apart.

The majority of Scots still want to stay British, but not enough to guarantee it.

The English are in consequent “clear off, then” mode.

The Welsh are little bothered either way, and EU Brexit revenge is doing its damndest to tear Northern Ireland (NI) from the Union. If NI goes, like a falling pack of cards, the rest will follow.

In any case, as far as the “English” are concerned — who are they? England is the melting pot. Who hasn’t got Irish, Scottish or Welsh blood coursing through their ancestry? Never mind the Anglo-Saxons, Danes, Normans and Romans. England is Britain, in every respect. We are mongrels and better for it.

I’m part of a diminishing “British” breed these days. Neither England or Scotland, Ireland or Wales, counted for anything in the world until they came together. Together we then changed it, massively for the better. Fall apart and we will be nothing again.

In a chaotic world, unity is even more precious. In troubled times it is essential. Long live the Union!