As Kevin points out, Sassenach is indeed celtic (generic) for foreigner. In the same way, Welsh is germanic (generic) 'foreigner'. Saxon derives from Sassenach (in Welsh, I believe it's something like 'Saesnaeg'), & there is no record whatsoever of the Engles using the term to describe themselves.

Johnny - I nearly fell off my chair laughing, & you're likely right too!

Ake - speaking as a Sassenach bastard who's crossed words with you before ;), in all seriousness, Johnny probably is right. I'm London born & bred & there's a hell of your lot knocking around dahn 'ere! Along with Irish, Welsh, Geordies, Scousers, Mankies, etc, etc, etc... It's human nature, I'm afraid - the grass is always greener! You've got something us rich southern gits want (space & peace), we've got something you miserly northern gits want (the opportunity to earn a lot more - it's just that living here costs a lot more... :( ). You are wrong to attribute it to racial or national origins. If the capital of the UK was Edinburgh, we'd likely all be flooding north & the situation would be reversed... Count yer blessings! ;)

Giok (I know, but it's easier) - I hope the comment about the body count was tongue-in-cheek too. There are plenty of English, Welsh & Irish (never mind ANZAC & Canadian since WWI) regiments with a high casualty rate too. The fact of the matter is that a 'savage' landscape breeds a 'savage' mentality, which is the military ideal in many respects. If Scots (or any other label) have suffered more than the average, it's not because they were {label of your choice}, it's because they fitted the requirements of the generals better than any other {label} did!

As for the rest of it, I can only agree. I don't think regional parliaments are the way to go, but I am far more unhappy with the biased, self-interested, & confrontational political system with which we are all stuck. No way should celtic MP's be voting on matters that affect the English when the reverse is now impossible.

But Labour won't change it, & if the Tories ever do, it won't be from a sense of justice, it'll be from exactly the same sense of self-interest...