Two decades since the advent of devolution, the United Kingdom appears to be on the brink with nationalists riding high in the polls in Scotland, an emboldened movement in Northern Ireland, and very flag waving bridge occupying forces in Wales. 

What future then for our shared and united Kingdom? Does the Union have a future in its current form, has devolution gone far enough, or too far in the first place? How will the Union’s future be decided, and who will get to decide it? Should we be looking to expand the offer of the Union or be looking to empower smaller units within the wider British state?

Should we accept Britain going backwards into a set of smaller independent states, should the United Kingdom look to other English speaking countries for an even bigger Union, or should we keep the status quo?

What can we learn from the rest of the world’s experiences with unitary states, devolution, federalism, independence movements, referendums, and fighting against or working with global trends?

Join the Adam Smith Institute this Tuesday 8th September 6-7pm UK time along with: 

Andrew Bowie, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.

Henry Hill, the assistant editor of Conservative Home.

Daniel Capurro, the Front Bench Editor at The Telegraph.

Matt Kilcoyne, the Deputy Director of the Adam Smith Institute.