A POLITICAL science expert has confirmed that British nationalism is "behind much of Unionism".

Alisa Henderson, who is a political science professor at Edinburgh University, was responding to an article in The Herald that argued Scotland needs alternative names for "nationalist" and "Unionist."

The article said: "The word 'nationalist' correctly describes some of the independence movement and the word 'Unionist' does the same for people who want to stay in the UK. The terms are accurate to an extent – just not accurate enough."

"The continuing use of the terms unionist and nationalist could contribute to increasing hysteria and prevent people on all sides coming to terms with whatever political changes are in our future," it added.

Henderson tweeted: "2 dimensions at play (but I would say that):

"Preferred state structure (federal - asymmetrical or not- devolution, unitary)

"View of demos/peoples (mono vs plurinational)

"The long running problem with 'nats vs unionists' is that it ignores Brit nat'm behind much of unionism."

The article also acknowledged that Nicola Sturgeon said in 2017 that she wouldn't choose Scottish National Party as a name if she could turn back time as she knows it is "reductive and negative".

It concluded: "Ordinary words have become enemies, and weapons, and yet here we are, still using them because we don’t have much choice. We need something else. We need alternatives. Suggestions, please."