by Ben Collins
As someone who believe in Irish Unity, I want to hear what the Unionist plan is for remaining part of the United Kingdom. For example, will Irish culture continue to be attacked by some people or will it be accepted and welcomed in Northern Ireland? Cultural warfare is not the answer. It only leads to anger, hate and a lack of understanding and respect for others. None of us should feel threatened by other people’s expression of culture and identity. There are so many challenges such as climate change, educational attainment, provision of healthcare, the urgent need for housing which we should focus on instead. All of these can be better addressed through reunification. Anyone who feels a sense of loss by others being given equal rights has their priorities wrong. Diversity should be seen as a source of strength, not a cause of division.
I’ve lived and worked in both Scotland and Wales where the indigenous languages are protected and encouraged by their respective governments. Can we look forward to a time when all government ministers in Northern Ireland protect and encourage the Irish language? We have had the partition of Ireland for more than one hundred years. I want to know, is this the best we can hope for or can things improve? If it is going to get better, how is this going to happen? Who is going to fund the necessary increases for our public services? For those who say that they want to make Northern Ireland work, surely if it hasn’t worked after a century of existence, we should try a different approach?
The NI Executive funded the upgrades to the Irish Football Association’s Windsor stadium and Ulster Rugby’s Ravenhill stadium. It is deeply frustrating that Ulster GAA has not been able to avail of the same support as yet. I know that the previous chief executive of Ulster Rugby held discussions with Ulster GAA about using Casement Park for big European rugby matches. The redeveloped stadium was also due to be used in Euro 2028. This would have taken place shortly after the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and helped to promote Belfast on the world stage, during one of the biggest football tournaments. Instead we have no matches here and the Northern Ireland football team won’t be taking part as a co-host. There are so many other sporting events and concerts which could be held in a redeveloped Casement Park. Just look at the huge success of last year’s NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. It generated a significant economic benefit of €105m, according to research by BDO on behalf of Failté Ireland. There is also the intangible benefits for our young people who get to see world class events happening in their home town. It enables people to think that they don’t have to go elsewhere to see amazing events, that these can happen at home. Holding these spectacular events can be a source of hope and inspiration for the future.
We continue to see people seeking to dismiss the mere prospect of reunification and personal attacks on those advocating a different future. Those who seek to close down discussion should instead offer their arguments for the best constitutional future. The border poll provision in the Good Friday Agreement was included because it is a legitimate aspiration, recognised by both the Irish and British governments. Nearly three decades later, it is time that we were given the choice about whether to stay linked to Brexit Britain or to take the once in a lifetime opportunity to help build a New Ireland within the European Union. Nobody should have anything to fear from a constitutional conversation about our future. Democracy works best when we can make an informed vote. This discussion will help to build understanding across different communities and that will benefit everyone who lives across Ireland. Let’s have detailed plans presented to the electorate for staying part of the United Kingdom or becoming part of a United Ireland within the European Union. Then voters can choose their preferred future.
We are approaching the tenth anniversary of the United Kingdom’s referendum on leaving the EU. Brexit has dominated the political debate at Westminster in the decade since. As we contemplate the prospect of a seventh British Prime Minister since the vote to leave, it is clear that British politics has become a vortex of chaos. This instability will continue until the UK rejoins the EU. However I do not think that this will happen for a generation, if ever. Therefore there are two questions we should be asking the British government. Is this a voluntary union? If so, how do we leave?
These are changing times for the United Kingdom. Following the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd elections, politics across Britain is fundamentally changed. There is now the largest ever pro-independence majority in the Scottish Parliament with the SNP and Greens MSPs. The Reform UK party hollowed out the votes of both Labour and Conservatives which are both significantly reduced in numbers from the last election. Plaid Cymru, a party which favours Welsh independence, is now the largest in the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, for the first time ever. This is also the first time in a hundred years where the Labour party in Wales has not been the largest party in an election. Along with the Conservatives, it has been reduced to a shadow of its former status and Reform UK is now the second largest party in the Senedd.
In the local council elections in England, both Labour and the Conservatives suffered heavy losses, as the Reform UK and Greens surged. For a century Labour and the Conservatives alternated as parties of government at a UK level. They were the establishment parties. There is now a real prospect of Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, becoming prime minister after the next Westminster election, which must take place by 2029 at the latest. He has previously stated that he expects there to be a United Ireland in the future and as Prime Minister he will have the constitutional power to call a border poll in Northern Ireland, regardless of whether preparation has been undertaken by the Irish government for this.
The recent European Movement opinion poll showed that there is strong support across the island of Ireland for a United Ireland within the EU. This is unsurprising, as increasing amounts of people look at British politics and decide they do not want to be part of what is happening in Westminster. Voting for reunification would not be a leap into the dark. Irish Unity means a return to the safe harbour of EU membership. The European Union offers stability which is not possible outside membership, at a time of increasing flux and friction in geopolitics.
In Ireland we have the option to insulate ourselves from these choppy waters but to do so the Irish government must prepare now for Irish Unity. It is reckless not to plan. Micheál Martin has a lengthy record of service in government and the Shared Island Initiative has helped to drive physical links between the two states on the island. But we can no longer afford to avoid the preparation work. The old cliché of “fail to prepare, then prepare to fail” can be adjusted to “fail to prepare, then prepare for chaos.” There are many reasons why Brexit has been a disaster, one of which was the lack of planning beforehand. This meant that people did not know, or had wildly different views of what a vote for Brexit meant. A decade later, I still hear people who voted for Brexit, disagreeing on what it was they were voting for.
I do not want us to suffer the same fate in Ireland. The Irish government must prepare a plan now, before we vote in a border poll. The consultation with the public across every part of this island and our citizens overseas, as part of the planning process, will help to address the genuine concerns which people may feel about the prospect of reunification. Irish Unity for me is about two things – identity and quality of life. I believe that all identities and culture can be and must be protected in a New Ireland. The plan must include a package of proposals to reassure our Unionist brothers and sisters.
We must go for an integrated form of governance to secure the maximum benefits of Irish Unity. There is no such thing as a kinder, gentler form of partition. This will bring Unionism into the Irish political mainstream and they should be offered a place in a voluntary coalition in a government of national unity, after we have voted to reunite Ireland. Northern Ireland will provide much needed additional capacity for the Irish economy, after reunification. We should have a new Senate with equal representation for all four provinces. Reunification will lead to a better quality of life for everyone, by delivering healthcare, education, economic growth, housing and addressing the climate change, on an all-Ireland basis without barriers. We will be better able to protect our most vulnerable from future pandemics through an integrated all-Ireland approach. Immigration which is a good thing, can be better managed through our sea and airports, rather than allowing the British government to weaponise the border in Ireland, as happened under Rishi Sunak. Reunification is a crucial step in reconciliation which is an ongoing process. We know that the far right in Ireland, Britain and the USA are seeking to sow division in Ireland by feeding on genuine concerns about immigration and lack of housing. Irish Unity will mean we can deal with these issues more effectively and face down these extremists.
Changed political structures through Irish reunification can help to improve relations between the island of Ireland and Britain. Irish unity can remove the friction caused by Brexit and the British government will be free to pursue its desired form of Brexit. Should Scotland and Wales in due course, also secure their independence, there will continue to be close co-operation across these islands. I think that the British-Irish Council should formally be renamed the Council of the Isles. It has been colloquially referred to as this since it was established in 1999. The Nordic Council has representatives from five Nordic countries and three autonomous territories. It meets regularly and helps to facilitate co-operation across a wide range of areas. So this shows that different countries can work together in their mutual interest, within the right framework.
I understand that there is a lot of anger and fear about what happened during the conflict. We must never forget the past, we have to learn from it. But the past cannot stop us moving forward for the benefit of everyone who lives across this island. All cultures and identities will be protected in a New Ireland, through the continued provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, our membership of the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU. Irish Unity will deliver a better quality of life for all who live across this island. There is so much more we can achieve by coming together, rather than continuing to live apart.
by Ben Collins
As someone who believe in Irish Unity, I want to hear what the Unionist plan is for remaining part of the United Kingdom. For example, will Irish culture continue to be attacked by some people or will it be accepted and welcomed in Northern Ireland? Cultural warfare is not the answer. It only leads to anger, hate and a lack of understanding and respect for others. None of us should feel threatened by other people’s expression of culture and identity. There are so many challenges such as climate change, educational attainment, provision of healthcare, the urgent need for housing which we should focus on instead. All of these can be better addressed through reunification. Anyone who feels a sense of loss by others being given equal rights has their priorities wrong. Diversity should be seen as a source of strength, not a cause of division.
I’ve lived and worked in both Scotland and Wales where the indigenous languages are protected and encouraged by their respective governments. Can we look forward to a time when all government ministers in Northern Ireland protect and encourage the Irish language? We have had the partition of Ireland for more than one hundred years. I want to know, is this the best we can hope for or can things improve? If it is going to get better, how is this going to happen? Who is going to fund the necessary increases for our public services? For those who say that they want to make Northern Ireland work, surely if it hasn’t worked after a century of existence, we should try a different approach?
The NI Executive funded the upgrades to the Irish Football Association’s Windsor stadium and Ulster Rugby’s Ravenhill stadium. It is deeply frustrating that Ulster GAA has not been able to avail of the same support as yet. I know that the previous chief executive of Ulster Rugby held discussions with Ulster GAA about using Casement Park for big European rugby matches. The redeveloped stadium was also due to be used in Euro 2028. This would have taken place shortly after the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and helped to promote Belfast on the world stage, during one of the biggest football tournaments. Instead we have no matches here and the Northern Ireland football team won’t be taking part as a co-host. There are so many other sporting events and concerts which could be held in a redeveloped Casement Park. Just look at the huge success of last year’s NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. It generated a significant economic benefit of €105m, according to research by BDO on behalf of Failté Ireland. There is also the intangible benefits for our young people who get to see world class events happening in their home town. It enables people to think that they don’t have to go elsewhere to see amazing events, that these can happen at home. Holding these spectacular events can be a source of hope and inspiration for the future.
We continue to see people seeking to dismiss the mere prospect of reunification and personal attacks on those advocating a different future. Those who seek to close down discussion should instead offer their arguments for the best constitutional future. The border poll provision in the Good Friday Agreement was included because it is a legitimate aspiration, recognised by both the Irish and British governments. Nearly three decades later, it is time that we were given the choice about whether to stay linked to Brexit Britain or to take the once in a lifetime opportunity to help build a New Ireland within the European Union. Nobody should have anything to fear from a constitutional conversation about our future. Democracy works best when we can make an informed vote. This discussion will help to build understanding across different communities and that will benefit everyone who lives across Ireland. Let’s have detailed plans presented to the electorate for staying part of the United Kingdom or becoming part of a United Ireland within the European Union. Then voters can choose their preferred future.
We are approaching the tenth anniversary of the United Kingdom’s referendum on leaving the EU. Brexit has dominated the political debate at Westminster in the decade since. As we contemplate the prospect of a seventh British Prime Minister since the vote to leave, it is clear that British politics has become a vortex of chaos. This instability will continue until the UK rejoins the EU. However I do not think that this will happen for a generation, if ever. Therefore there are two questions we should be asking the British government. Is this a voluntary union? If so, how do we leave?
These are changing times for the United Kingdom. Following the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd elections, politics across Britain is fundamentally changed. There is now the largest ever pro-independence majority in the Scottish Parliament with the SNP and Greens MSPs. The Reform UK party hollowed out the votes of both Labour and Conservatives which are both significantly reduced in numbers from the last election. Plaid Cymru, a party which favours Welsh independence, is now the largest in the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, for the first time ever. This is also the first time in a hundred years where the Labour party in Wales has not been the largest party in an election. Along with the Conservatives, it has been reduced to a shadow of its former status and Reform UK is now the second largest party in the Senedd.
In the local council elections in England, both Labour and the Conservatives suffered heavy losses, as the Reform UK and Greens surged. For a century Labour and the Conservatives alternated as parties of government at a UK level. They were the establishment parties. There is now a real prospect of Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, becoming prime minister after the next Westminster election, which must take place by 2029 at the latest. He has previously stated that he expects there to be a United Ireland in the future and as Prime Minister he will have the constitutional power to call a border poll in Northern Ireland, regardless of whether preparation has been undertaken by the Irish government for this.
The recent European Movement opinion poll showed that there is strong support across the island of Ireland for a United Ireland within the EU. This is unsurprising, as increasing amounts of people look at British politics and decide they do not want to be part of what is happening in Westminster. Voting for reunification would not be a leap into the dark. Irish Unity means a return to the safe harbour of EU membership. The European Union offers stability which is not possible outside membership, at a time of increasing flux and friction in geopolitics.
In Ireland we have the option to insulate ourselves from these choppy waters but to do so the Irish government must prepare now for Irish Unity. It is reckless not to plan. Micheál Martin has a lengthy record of service in government and the Shared Island Initiative has helped to drive physical links between the two states on the island. But we can no longer afford to avoid the preparation work. The old cliché of “fail to prepare, then prepare to fail” can be adjusted to “fail to prepare, then prepare for chaos.” There are many reasons why Brexit has been a disaster, one of which was the lack of planning beforehand. This meant that people did not know, or had wildly different views of what a vote for Brexit meant. A decade later, I still hear people who voted for Brexit, disagreeing on what it was they were voting for.
I do not want us to suffer the same fate in Ireland. The Irish government must prepare a plan now, before we vote in a border poll. The consultation with the public across every part of this island and our citizens overseas, as part of the planning process, will help to address the genuine concerns which people may feel about the prospect of reunification. Irish Unity for me is about two things – identity and quality of life. I believe that all identities and culture can be and must be protected in a New Ireland. The plan must include a package of proposals to reassure our Unionist brothers and sisters.
We must go for an integrated form of governance to secure the maximum benefits of Irish Unity. There is no such thing as a kinder, gentler form of partition. This will bring Unionism into the Irish political mainstream and they should be offered a place in a voluntary coalition in a government of national unity, after we have voted to reunite Ireland. Northern Ireland will provide much needed additional capacity for the Irish economy, after reunification. We should have a new Senate with equal representation for all four provinces. Reunification will lead to a better quality of life for everyone, by delivering healthcare, education, economic growth, housing and addressing the climate change, on an all-Ireland basis without barriers. We will be better able to protect our most vulnerable from future pandemics through an integrated all-Ireland approach. Immigration which is a good thing, can be better managed through our sea and airports, rather than allowing the British government to weaponise the border in Ireland, as happened under Rishi Sunak. Reunification is a crucial step in reconciliation which is an ongoing process. We know that the far right in Ireland, Britain and the USA are seeking to sow division in Ireland by feeding on genuine concerns about immigration and lack of housing. Irish Unity will mean we can deal with these issues more effectively and face down these extremists.
Changed political structures through Irish reunification can help to improve relations between the island of Ireland and Britain. Irish unity can remove the friction caused by Brexit and the British government will be free to pursue its desired form of Brexit. Should Scotland and Wales in due course, also secure their independence, there will continue to be close co-operation across these islands. I think that the British-Irish Council should formally be renamed the Council of the Isles. It has been colloquially referred to as this since it was established in 1999. The Nordic Council has representatives from five Nordic countries and three autonomous territories. It meets regularly and helps to facilitate co-operation across a wide range of areas. So this shows that different countries can work together in their mutual interest, within the right framework.
I understand that there is a lot of anger and fear about what happened during the conflict. We must never forget the past, we have to learn from it. But the past cannot stop us moving forward for the benefit of everyone who lives across this island. All cultures and identities will be protected in a New Ireland, through the continued provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, our membership of the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU. Irish Unity will deliver a better quality of life for all who live across this island. There is so much more we can achieve by coming together, rather than continuing to live apart.