British unionist
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| Treaty of Union | 1706 |
|---|---|
| Acts of Union | 1707 |
| Personal Union of 1714 | 1714 |
| Wales and Berwick Act | 1746 |
| Irish Constitution | 1782 |
| Acts of Union | 1800 |
| Government of Ireland Act | 1920 |
| Anglo-Irish Treaty | 1921 |
| Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act | 1927 |
| N. Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act | 1972 |
| European Communities Act | 1972 |
| Local Government Act | 1972 |
| Local Government (Scotland) Act | 1973 |
| Northern Ireland Assembly | 1973 |
| N. Ireland Constitution Act | 1973 |
| Referendum Act | 1975 |
| Scotland Act | 1978 |
| Wales Act | 1978 |
| Local Government (Wales) Act | 1994 |
| Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act | 1994 |
| Referendums (Scotland & Wales) Act | 1997 |
| Good Friday Agreement | 1998 |
| Northern Ireland Act | 1998 |
| Government of Wales Act | 1998 |
| Scotland Act | 1998 |
| Government of Wales Act | 2006 |
| Northern Ireland Act | 2009 |
| European Union Act | 2011 |
| Scotland Act | 2012 |
| Edinburgh Agreement | 2012 |
| Wales Act | 2014 |
| European Union Referendum Act | 2015 |
| Scotland Act | 2016 |
| Wales Act | 2017 |
Unionism in the United Kingdom, also referred to as British unionism, is a political ideology favouring the continuation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or in some cases the enlargement of that state to include the whole of Ireland (currently the Irish Republic).
In the lead up to the US War of Independence in the second half of the 18th century, there existed British loyalists and colonial rebels (ironically named "Patriots"). None of the Loyalists wanted separation. Not even a majority amongst the Rebels necessarily desired to be separate from Great Britain.
Later, towards the end of the 19th century, Irish Unionism was by and large a reaction to an increase in separatist Irish nationalist agitation. Most of Ireland became separated from the UK in the 1920s. In Northern Ireland the polarised constitutional ideologies of republicans and loyalists has led to violent conflict, known as the Troubles.
Since the late 20th century differing views on the constitutional status of the countries within the UK has become a bigger issue in Scotland and, to a lesser extent, Wales. Following the Scottish National Party's victory in Scotland's 2011 election, a referendum on Scottish independence took place on 18 September 2014: the result supported remaining within the United Kingdom, winning the vote by 55.3% No to 44.7% Yes to the question "Should Scotland be an independent country?".
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