An ex-UK prime minister, Gordon Brown, has warned that the union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is "sleepwalking" into disaster. He also warned of economic disaster after the UK leaves the European Union. The UK will leave the European Union on October 31st (which is also Halloween). Mr Brown believes that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the four nations of the UK will be in trouble. He said this is because of nationalist thinking. He said many people in the UK want independence for their country. He said the United Kingdom is no longer a united kingdom.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is four countries - the three nations of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland. Brown thinks Brexit has made people in each country want independence. Most people in Scotland want to stay in the EU and voted against Brexit. There are talks of a vote for Scottish independence. There are also worries over a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. People are talking about a possible reunited Ireland. Brown said: "We must recognize that nationalism is now driving British politics."