Michelle O'Neil has said she thinks we'll have a reunification referendum in the next 10 years.

[TooBigForMyBoots]

Is that enough time for Britain to right itself and become sufficiently functional for NI to vote Remain?

Naah, set them free from the Norman yoke.

I'm very much in favour of a United Ireland.

I'm in Ireland and honestly I dread this happening. I just don't see how it benefits us at all. It will just mean instability and increased financial pressure.

Pretty sure Ireland aren’t up for this!

Yeah, ironically Ireland itself might be the sticking point! I do think reunification is inevitable, though (I'm from a unionist background, although not particularly "staunch", and have moved to a much more nationalist outlook as an adult).

I'm not quite sure that we're at that point yet, although in some ways politics here can change very quickly, so I wouldn't rule it out, and certainly it's conceivable that a referendum will be held within a decade.

There may be a referendum but I’m not sure it’ll be successful in creating a United Ireland - I’m not sure the Republic would want the north.

I just don’t know. I’m from the north and have lived in other parts of the uk and now I’m in the republic. I just think that, in theory, people living in the republic want a United Ireland (but not as a top priority at all) - but I’m not sure they will compromise & be willing to include unionists in a new Ireland - like I don’t know if many have really thought of the reality. And then the reality of the northern Irish leaving the NHS ect…….But brexit definitely made it more of a possibility.

An independent Ulster supported by both countries might be better as they have more in common with each other than the respective countries!

I'm not sure the south would want the hidden costs or the military headaches of it all.

No way would it or should it happen that quickly.

NI is in no way 8 years from being able to handle that conversation peacefully. It will literally take generations to get to that point. A referendum risks the peace process IMO.

And ROI don't want us - too expensive, and they won't want the likes of the DUP.

I'm actually surprised Michelle O'Neill is saying that as I thought they were far too focused on the next Irish general election to seriously raise the prospect.

I'm from a Nationalist background and was happy enough being both British and Irish. I voted Remain in the last referendum but I could see how NI could have benefited from Brexit.

Unfortunately the British Tory government made such a mess of it that they've ballsed up the entire country and things will not improve for a long time.

It's ironic that the biggest obstacle may be Irish votes.😆 SF is growing in power on both sides of the border. The UK is looking increasingly fucked for all its citizens. As loud as some sections of our society may be, most of us just want what's best for our families and society and vote for reunification on that basis.

I agree. And remember the UK Govt's original plan in 1922 was to give the whole island to Dublin. We got lumbered with NI because of that shifty begger Carson and he's now long gone.

Interesting how many people leap to ‘Ireland aren’t up for it’, when the question was specifically about whether Britain might become somewhere that might have NI voters seeking to remain within a decade.

No it won’t happen that fast and if it does it won’t pass. Last polls show 51% in favour of remaining in UK with a further 20% neutral or undecided. And the Republic not really on board either. Probably shit scared of us up here to be honest and can’t blame them! It will eventually happen and the conversations will evolve around it but it isn’t a given. Wishful thinking on Michelle’s part I think.

It doesn't matter how enthusiastically NI votes to leave the UK, if Ireland doesn't vote to accept us it doesn't happen.

I very much doubt the 3 counties of Ulster that are part of the Republic would want to join with NI to become an independent Ulster.

Lumbered. Nice.

I get that! It’s just not what the OP asked.

It's a lovely idealistic idea, but I think it's too soon. Older people have different memories to the young.

So the question is whether 10 years is long enough to improve UK to garner more votes for Remain? Who knows where we will be in 10 years. Maybe in another war. Even if things are going swimmingly in 2034 which I doubt then it won’t make that much difference to how most people vote in NI.

The word referendum sends shivers down my spine.

Maybe she means the reunification will be the Republic rejoining the United Kingdom

To use a Mnet cliché: Are you on glue?😆

The UK is in decline. Unless things turn around fast I can see a time when we'll vote "Out".

I’m Irish and wish we were 50 years in from reunification. As it stands I’m dreading the first ten years.

Could’ve written this post. In addition, I married a Dub, and when we talk about a United Ireland with my in-laws there’s always a sharp intake of breath when it comes to the practicalities and costs of absorbing NI. I can’t imagine how we’d even start reallocating all the civil servants, security services or NHS staff in a cost efficient way.

Personally, I don’t want a United Ireland- I want a New Ireland which works for everyone on the island.