Final answer:
Bryson is surprised that despite their separatist movements and desire for increased autonomy, Scotland and Wales still wish to maintain connections with larger political entities for practical reasons such as economic and national security.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bryson compares the independence movements in Scotland and Wales. He is surprised that while both regions are seeking more autonomy and have their own local parliaments, they still want to remain connected to larger political entities for economic and national security reasons. In the quest for independence, Scotland held a referendum in 2014 and chose to stay a part of the United Kingdom, despite having a strong sense of national identity and heritage. Meanwhile, devolution is currently happening in Wales, with a separate parliament providing local autonomy, but the economy remains challenged, leading many young people to emigrate.