The Irish Unity Dividend by Ben Collins
Reviewed by Kevin Rooney
Ben Collins’ book ‘The Irish Unity Dividend’ is focused on the benefits for all people who live across Ireland. He aims to reframe the debate about a United Ireland to focus on quality of life issues. While he acknowledges that identity is a factor in the Irish unity debate, his writing sets out the many reasons why life is better in the Republic and that those in the North would be better off in a United Ireland.
His book explains that the best way to secure the full potential from Unity is through a fully integrated form of governance. This is not about ignoring unionists but rather bringing them fully into an all-Ireland structure where they will have a say and opportunity to contribute to government, in a way which isn’t possible as part of the Union. He explains that the momentum for Unity may also come from the chaos in Westminster. A Reform or Reform and Conservative coalition will not help the Union and is likely to increase support for reunification.
In his previous book, ‘Irish Unity: Time to Prepare’, Ben Collins explored the growing opportunities and political will for a border poll, and how such a poll could be conducted. Having made clear how Irish unity can happen, in ‘The Irish Unity Dividend’ he makes the case for why Irish Unity should be pursued. Throughout the book he deploys a plethora of research evidence explaining the many benefits Unity will deliver for all. It was surprising therefore to read the following sentence in the Irish Times review of his new book,
“Unfortunately for the author, there is little in the book that would entice unionists to join the conversation, nor perhaps to persuade those who do not know what way they would vote in a referendum on a United Ireland”.
This sentence had me choking on my cornflakes as it is the polar opposite of my evaluation. The very core of Collin’s book is focused on addressing and persuading those who do not yet know what way they would vote in a border poll. He sets out very clearly from the outset precisely how a unified Ireland can bring about significant improvement to the lives of people right across the island of Ireland.
With razor sharp clarity he zooms in on the stark disparity between the North and South across a range of metrics, including quality of life, educational attainment and political representation. The conclusion is a bleak one if you live in the North. But then The Irish Unity Dividend sets out the benefits and advantages that lie on the other side of a border poll if we vote United Ireland. Leading to a society that is fairer, more politically representative, and one that can shed itself of social instability and the burden of a broken British state.
From the very first page the kind of concrete evidence that could entice undecided and moderate unionists to opt for a United Ireland is presented. For example, we are told that in 2004 the expected lifespan of people on both sides of the border was equal. Now a child who was born in 2021 in the South can expect to live for 82.4 years – two years longer than someone born at the same time in the six counties. In 2009 infant mortality rates were the same. Today there is a significant discrepancy. For every thousand babies born in Northern Ireland 4.8 will die before their first birthday – in the Republic it is 2.8.
Across chapters on healthcare, infrastructure, economy, relations with Europe, education, skills and citizen rights the weakness of the British state and the North in particular are laid bare in comparison to a booming South. Each chapter is supported with an abundance of research evidence allowing for a compelling analysis of the multiple advantages Irish Unity can bring. Hardened United Irelanders already know partition has failed but Ben Collins, the product of “a strongly pro-unionist and pro-British background in East Belfast”, says his evolution as an advocate for reunification reflects the post-Brexit generational reassessment of Northern Ireland’s future. Put another way – the North is not working, things are getting worse and Britain cares little. The solution? Irish Unity.
In contrast to the North, the South has surged ahead economically and socially. The evidence presented is striking. For example in 2000, “the Republic had the same level of GDP per capita as the UK. Now it is more than double that of the UK”. In 2000 productivity was at parity on both sides of the border. Now it’s 40% higher in the South.
Of course the evidence based case for Unity while expertly deployed will not be enough to win over hardened unionists in a referendum because they will likely vote with their heart, not head. And that is their right. But there is plenty in the book to move the dial and entice other demographic cohorts like the undecided and small ‘u’ unionists who tend to vote with their head not heart. This is the constituency interested in pounds, shilling and pence, standard of living and their kids’ education, life-chances and future. Their vote will be based on pragmatism and optimism rather than identity or emotion. It is these people above all that The Irish Unity Dividend speaks to and these voters who will likely be the decisive influence in a border poll.
The book in part serves as an expose of how failed and dysfunctional the North is be it in economic, financial, infrastructure, skills or levels of educational attainment. It reminds us too of the clear link between poor health outcomes and lower educational achievement. Above all though, the author has written a book grounded in optimism and positivity. Where the book strikes a chord most – is in saying we don’t have to settle for the failed status quo. We can do better and change is possible.
The younger generation in particular, be they in Limerick or Larne, Dungarvan or Dungannon carry hopes and dreams. For those, especially in the North, a new Unified Ireland provides them the route to a more prosperous and flourishing society. A nation-state that is in the EU and provides more opportunities to match their aspiration and ambition. The book captures the zeitgeist perfectly in terms of the growing yearning for a more prosperous, fairer and inclusive society – a new Ireland.
Ben Collins is to be commended for setting out the many benefits which will emerge from the reunification of Ireland. As Mary McAlleese former President of Ireland puts it in her forward to this fine book,
“If we plan in advance of a border poll and get the structures right. Regardless of background or beliefs, there will be an Irish Unity Dividend for all who live across this island”.
The Irish Unity Dividend.
Ben Collins
Luath Press
The Irish Unity Dividend by Ben Collins
Reviewed by Kevin Rooney
Ben Collins’ book ‘The Irish Unity Dividend’ is focused on the benefits for all people who live across Ireland. He aims to reframe the debate about a United Ireland to focus on quality of life issues. While he acknowledges that identity is a factor in the Irish unity debate, his writing sets out the many reasons why life is better in the Republic and that those in the North would be better off in a United Ireland.
His book explains that the best way to secure the full potential from Unity is through a fully integrated form of governance. This is not about ignoring unionists but rather bringing them fully into an all-Ireland structure where they will have a say and opportunity to contribute to government, in a way which isn’t possible as part of the Union. He explains that the momentum for Unity may also come from the chaos in Westminster. A Reform or Reform and Conservative coalition will not help the Union and is likely to increase support for reunification.
In his previous book, ‘Irish Unity: Time to Prepare’, Ben Collins explored the growing opportunities and political will for a border poll, and how such a poll could be conducted. Having made clear how Irish unity can happen, in ‘The Irish Unity Dividend’ he makes the case for why Irish Unity should be pursued. Throughout the book he deploys a plethora of research evidence explaining the many benefits Unity will deliver for all. It was surprising therefore to read the following sentence in the Irish Times review of his new book,
“Unfortunately for the author, there is little in the book that would entice unionists to join the conversation, nor perhaps to persuade those who do not know what way they would vote in a referendum on a United Ireland”.
This sentence had me choking on my cornflakes as it is the polar opposite of my evaluation. The very core of Collin’s book is focused on addressing and persuading those who do not yet know what way they would vote in a border poll. He sets out very clearly from the outset precisely how a unified Ireland can bring about significant improvement to the lives of people right across the island of Ireland.
With razor sharp clarity he zooms in on the stark disparity between the North and South across a range of metrics, including quality of life, educational attainment and political representation. The conclusion is a bleak one if you live in the North. But then The Irish Unity Dividend sets out the benefits and advantages that lie on the other side of a border poll if we vote United Ireland. Leading to a society that is fairer, more politically representative, and one that can shed itself of social instability and the burden of a broken British state.
From the very first page the kind of concrete evidence that could entice undecided and moderate unionists to opt for a United Ireland is presented. For example, we are told that in 2004 the expected lifespan of people on both sides of the border was equal. Now a child who was born in 2021 in the South can expect to live for 82.4 years – two years longer than someone born at the same time in the six counties. In 2009 infant mortality rates were the same. Today there is a significant discrepancy. For every thousand babies born in Northern Ireland 4.8 will die before their first birthday – in the Republic it is 2.8.
Across chapters on healthcare, infrastructure, economy, relations with Europe, education, skills and citizen rights the weakness of the British state and the North in particular are laid bare in comparison to a booming South. Each chapter is supported with an abundance of research evidence allowing for a compelling analysis of the multiple advantages Irish Unity can bring. Hardened United Irelanders already know partition has failed but Ben Collins, the product of “a strongly pro-unionist and pro-British background in East Belfast”, says his evolution as an advocate for reunification reflects the post-Brexit generational reassessment of Northern Ireland’s future. Put another way – the North is not working, things are getting worse and Britain cares little. The solution? Irish Unity.
In contrast to the North, the South has surged ahead economically and socially. The evidence presented is striking. For example in 2000, “the Republic had the same level of GDP per capita as the UK. Now it is more than double that of the UK”. In 2000 productivity was at parity on both sides of the border. Now it’s 40% higher in the South.
Of course the evidence based case for Unity while expertly deployed will not be enough to win over hardened unionists in a referendum because they will likely vote with their heart, not head. And that is their right. But there is plenty in the book to move the dial and entice other demographic cohorts like the undecided and small ‘u’ unionists who tend to vote with their head not heart. This is the constituency interested in pounds, shilling and pence, standard of living and their kids’ education, life-chances and future. Their vote will be based on pragmatism and optimism rather than identity or emotion. It is these people above all that The Irish Unity Dividend speaks to and these voters who will likely be the decisive influence in a border poll.
The book in part serves as an expose of how failed and dysfunctional the North is be it in economic, financial, infrastructure, skills or levels of educational attainment. It reminds us too of the clear link between poor health outcomes and lower educational achievement. Above all though, the author has written a book grounded in optimism and positivity. Where the book strikes a chord most – is in saying we don’t have to settle for the failed status quo. We can do better and change is possible.
The younger generation in particular, be they in Limerick or Larne, Dungarvan or Dungannon carry hopes and dreams. For those, especially in the North, a new Unified Ireland provides them the route to a more prosperous and flourishing society. A nation-state that is in the EU and provides more opportunities to match their aspiration and ambition. The book captures the zeitgeist perfectly in terms of the growing yearning for a more prosperous, fairer and inclusive society – a new Ireland.
Ben Collins is to be commended for setting out the many benefits which will emerge from the reunification of Ireland. As Mary McAlleese former President of Ireland puts it in her forward to this fine book,
“If we plan in advance of a border poll and get the structures right. Regardless of background or beliefs, there will be an Irish Unity Dividend for all who live across this island”.
The Irish Unity Dividend.
Ben Collins
Luath Press