Debates on nationalism and independence in Western Europe (and beyond) have been dominated by discussions on events in Catalonia and Scotland.
Punctuated by significant events often with long-lasting ramifications, the ten year period examined in the book was one of continuity, change and crisis. Over the decade, issues related to territorial politics increased in significance and at times dominated political debate not just in Catalonia and Scotland but across Spain and the UK too. Since 2020, developments in territorial politics have continued apace with personnel changes in leadership in Scotland, the election of a non-secessionist government in Catalonia, the re-election of the PSOE in Spain and a new Labour government in the UK. Seven years on from the 2017 independence referendum, recent polling in Catalonia has recorded declining support for independence. The momentum of the procés has certainly dissipated, but pro-independence parties still garner substantial support. Predictions of the demise of the independence movement are somewhat premature. In Scotland, a decade after the independence referendum support for independence remains around the 45% benchmark secured in 2014, notwithstanding the electoral resurgence of Labour and declining popularity of the SNP. Like Catalonia, the debate on independence is no longer at the forefront of political debate, but the issue has far from disappeared. The future constitutional trajectories of both Catalonia and Scotland remain unknown. Only one thing is certain: they will continue to be ‘nations in flux’.