🔗 Share this article

A decade following the UK stumbled into a hasty referendum that split the country and triggered chaos, a warning is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

Authorities and citizens entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar may happen with a national vote on a unified Ireland, triggering convulsions for which no one is equipped.

That is the message from two prominent journalists from either side of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland departing the UK to form a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Institutions Ill-Equipped

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have found that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are gravely unprepared for a potentially contentious and monumental public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that events can arise suddenly and can build support very quickly," the commentator stated. "I would suggest that the governmental framework of our islands remains highly fragile."

New Title Intends to Stir Debate

The team have analysed the political, economic and societal rationales for any governmental shift in a publication, For and Against a United Ireland, published by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to encourage dialogue on the matter with a series of public talks that will lead them to Westminster soon.

"What troubles everybody, or ought to concern everybody, is the Brexit vote of 2016," commented the analyst.

"We should prevent a national vote on a binary, vague proposition whose results have not been spelled out because then you find yourself with an highly split population where the losing side are not reconciled to losing and the those successful are uncertain exactly what it is that they have achieved."

Governmental Mandate

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland official should call a referendum on Irish unity if it appears likely that a most voters would support.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists argue this point is looming, and a non-profit named Ireland’s Future has built momentum, but both governments and pro-UK factions play down the likelihood, making it uncertain when or if there will be a referendum.

Insufficient Informed Dialogue

Political rhetoric for and against unification has masked the lack of serious debate, said McBride.

"Individuals are often supportive or opposed the notion but the concrete planning which could extend past that to make it possible hasn't for the most part happened. A great deal has occurred in universities but scarcely any government figures or activists seek to involve themselves with the essentials. To illustrate, which kind of country should be desired? Centralised? Decentralised?"

Publication's Method

In the volume, none of the commentators advocates unity or the status quo. Both composes two articles that seek objectivity in detailing the rationale for a unified Ireland and the rationale opposing it, gathering economic and societal data, previous instances and structural examples.

Debates encompass flags and symbols, duties, healthcare systems, elderly benefits, national debt responsibilities and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The goal is to educate and encourage discussion.

"Considerable attention exists in the topic but there hasn't quite been a debate," stated the writer. "Dialogue implies an acceptance of the concept that there could be reasonable perspectives on both sides."

Parallel Votes

A referendum in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the republic, where citizens report they support unification but refuse paying higher taxes or introducing a alternative symbol to acknowledge pro-UK communities' British culture.

"The Irish government must establish what the proposal from nationalist groups is aside from just saying: 'We want a unified Ireland and we love you'," said the commentator.

Probability of Public Vote

McBride thinks a referendum in his generation is likely and that it may take place abruptly. "You could have just a reckless or a poor or a negligent secretary of state who states: 'Let's just do this and resolve it.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and unionists have credible, valid perspectives, he commented. "Somebody will succeed here and somebody will eventually lose but each side has possesses something to acquire from the opposing arguments."

Request for Broader Debate

Westminster should engage with the dialogue, stated O’Toole. "This involves Britain. It's a British issue as much as it is an Irish issue."