It depends what we consider a “country”. Scotland obviously was independent historically and is consider a “country” within the UK but there’s also quite a few people there that would identify as British, and their union with England was more consensual than ours, even if spurred on somewhat by bankruptcy. Everyone there speaks English.

We can stretch people saying no to independence to many levels. Northern English would generally view themselves as very different to Londoners, so should they vote for independence? Historical regional differences can become even more stark in other countries such as France or Germany.

In saying all that, i’d personally like to see independence and I think I would have voted that way if in their position. But I’m not so sure it’s as clear cut what constitutes a country that should want it’s own independence.