Okay, so traditional historiography on the Revolution emphasizes that Americans tended to perceive themselves as Britons well into the 1770s, prompting some to call the Revolution the crisis of integration.
What's not explored, and is IMO as interesting, is how Britons perceived the colonists. Their status as Britons was called into querstion during and after the 7 years war. Increasing light was placed on their status as the descendents of convicts and riff raff, and the presence of a large body of immigrants. To quote one PM who opposed the American cause, Americans were not entitled to British liberties because they had been diluted by foreign elements, "particularly Germans innumerable."
Moreover, the expansion of the Empire after the 7 Years War reduced the British colonists, in some ways. The Americans became fellow subjects, along the lines of the French Quebecois, the Acadians, etc.
We can see this change between the War of Austrian Succession and the 7 years war. In the first war, one British newspaper referred approvingly to "Our countrymen and kinsmen of New England," and another to the courage of "Englishmen, in whatever latitude they are born."
By the end of the 7 Years War... American contributions to the conquest of Canada were largely ignored, and Americans were icnreasingly portrayed as a nonmartial people. IMO this attitude can actually be seen in the handling of the colonies; I cannot imagine Britain shutting down Liverpool in response to a riot, frex. Contemporary Americans noticed this too, as English politicians and commentators talked of "Our subjects in the colonies." Lord Halifax went so far as to express, in 1763, that he considered the Americans foreigners.
I'd elaborate on how this seems to have changed as the War broke out, if people are interested. But I will propose that a failed rebellion may confirm America's status as an "other" in the British body politic.