Jim,

Please correct me if I am wrong:

".... The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northen ireland. The Northern Irish are members of the UK but not British"

Act of Union 1707 - created the United Kingdom of Scotland and England. One parliament, under one crown. A Union Flag was designed consisting of the crosses of St.George and St.Andrew.

Act of Union 1801 - created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Note the change, what is being described in the title is the geographic entity - i.e. two islands, with one Parliament and one crown. A new Union Flag was designed adapting the old to include the cross of St.Patrick.

Anglo-Irish Treaty 1922 - Southern Ireland breaks away from the Union. The title of the Monarch is changed, now to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The cross of St.Patrick remains on the national standard.

I believe those living in Northern Ireland are entitled to carry British passports. Northern Ireland is as much a part of the United Kingdom as Scotland and Wales. Our little cluster of islands, dotted off mainland Europe are collectively referred to in geographic terms as the Britsh Isles - not the British Isles and Ireland - I believe that was done by the Romans, but I'm not sure, I believe they named the Isles, Brittanica Maximus and Hibernia - but as I say not sure about it, and don't have time at present to look it up - others will know, of that I am sure.

Forum Lurker I believe I answered your question in my PM.

As to the partitioning tactic mentioned by GUEST 30 Jul 03 - 10:19 AM. We were discussing the partition of Ireland and Guest says:

"But it does make for a convenient excuse, ..... for Britain's unilateral partitioning of the island. That same British partitioning tactic was used throughout the Anglo and American empires throughout the 20th c. to ill effect everywhere it was done."

In the context of our discussion, Guest is certainly talking about partiton of countries on gaining independence. Expansion of the British Empire during the 20th century was restricted to administration of former German colonies in Africa (Namibia, Tanganyka and Zanzibar). In addition Britain was given responsibility for Mandated Territories by the League of Nations. Partition on or immediately before independence was not, and never has been, a "British tactic" as stated by Guest.