As Jubilee celebrations die down in the short period of calm before the Olympics, questions arise about what all this means, what Britain and Britishness is, and what the future might be for both.
The Labour leader has set out his defence of the Union in a speech that appealed to his party to recognise England and show pride in the English. But is this enough, with Scotland considering independence and the English question waiting to explode?
As Britain remembers Queen Elizabeth's ascension, how has Scotland changed since 1952? A glance back in time to the archives of The Scotsman newspaper reveals a past with much to say about the nation's present and future.
This piece is part of our debate 'The Great British Summer?'.
Anthony Barnett:
I was in Scotland during the Jubilee for a family celebration of Tom Nairn'
The festivities around the London Olympics and Diamond Jubilee will paint a picture of a stable, timeless (simultaneously modern) Great Britain. But the Anglo-Britishness it appeals to is far from the present-day reality of contested identity and authority, in which England is preparing to speak.
The campaign is launched today for a Yes vote in the Scottish independence referendum. Here are seven suggestions for an independence agenda that looks beyond the constitutional to embrace the economic, cultural, democratic and international.
The pro-union campaign in Scotland has retreated from making the positive case for the union. But a meaningful debate on Scotland's future requires an understanding of the arguments in its favour, whilst recognising the limits of a binary approach.
Up until now, the SNP has been seen as as a decent government, less in thrall to the corporate classes than Cameron's Coalition. But the pact made between Scotland's First Minister and the Murdoch media empire punctures this moral high-ground. Can he reclaim it?
The magazine 'The Economist' has declared its position on Scottish independence. Their warning to the Scots: 'it'll cost you'. Their stand-point typifies a market fundamentalist view of Britain that denies the vast potential of a Scotland free of the Union.
The Scottish Nationalist Party has positioned itself as a leader in Europe on green issues. Then why the internal strife between the government and environmentally-conscious Scots?
Scotland's greatest thinker, a world scholar and, we are proud to report, a regular openDemocracy contributor, is 80 this year. We wish him a long life! Gerry Hassan tells his readers in Scotland to honour him and Anthony Barnett provides a few links to some of his articles.
