Do you think there will be a united Ireland before the end of the decade?

[KenDodd]

Yabu = no
Yanbu = yes

Northern Ireland has been dumped on from a great height be Boris Johnson, and those Loyalists who live and breathe ‘the Union’ have had to face the uncomfortable realisation that the rest of the UK neither knows about them nor gives a shit about them. Half the people in Britain don’t even realise that Ireland and Northern Ireland are two separate countries. If Johnson screws up Brexit and makes life hard for the NI communities I think there will be demand to be part of the EU via reunification. It voted 57% remain and its fragile peace was brought about via membership of the EU. A Britain with much diminished powers and influence will not be as attractive as it was in its heyday.

I think the only way the appetite would be there in the Republic would be a massive stack of EU cash after a period of financial stability. Not likely for a good while post covid.

I'm from ROI and live in NI. It's not something I've ever yearned for, but did become more attractive after Brexit. I don't know anyone down south who'd vote for reunification though.

I think covid hurts the argument for reunification economically but helps it otherwise. The Irish government have come across as much more capable in that regard than Boris and co.

Arya, that’s as likely as England becoming part of Ireland.

I don't know anyone down south who'd vote for reunification though.

I think we owe it to NI to reunite if that's what they want tbh so for that reason I would vote to reunify

@LellyMcKelly I was quoting someone elses post there

The main thing I meant to say above is that (as an outsider) I don't think NI is in any way ready for that kind of upheaval, or even to have the conversation in a serious way. There's only been just over 20 years of peace here and plenty of tensions remain. I think we need another generation or two of calm prosperity before changing the constitutional position.

Brexit was the last thing we need.

I know I shouldn't feed the troll, but... Moonmelodies there is literally no reason for Ireland to rejoin the UK. They're doing just fine by themselves, and very different ideologically to the UK - see the high EU approval ratings for one. They may some day consider voting to reunite with NI, but I can't think of a single reason for them to rejoin the UK.

I don't know anyone down south who'd vote for reunification though.

I would. I have skin in the game though.

I can see a set of circs which would make it more likely.

Brexit is a shitshow and NI get even more screwed by U.K. sympathy for NI grows in ROI.

NHS essentially collapses

ROI bounces back relatively well from CV crisis.

SF performs well North and South, grows in popularity.

Pressure from NI for reunification grows.

Political pressure applied in ROI along with generous economic package to soften the blow.

Unlikely by the end of the decade though.

Whisper this quietly... Most of the rest of the UK would be glad to see the back of it.

@Moonmelodies - Sometimes it's better for countries to forget past differences, and join together for the common good.

Sounds good. Will you get on to Boris to cancel Brexit then?

Well no, as he was elected by the majority to do just that, irrespective of my opinions.

I think ROI won't initiate it. No way.

But if it's mooted by NI and people like the DUP start thinking seriously about it, then nobody is going to deny them a island wide referendum.

And I'd vote yes, just because you can't abandon someone just because they're a bit pricey.

@Moonmelodies - Well no, as he was elected by the majority to do just that, irrespective of my opinions.

So sometimes it's better for countries to forget past differences, and join together for the common good only applies when it's other countries who are doing the compromising? Why am I not susprised.

But if it's mooted by NI and people like the DUP start thinking seriously about it, then nobody is going to deny them a island wide referendum.

And I'd vote yes, just because you can't abandon someone just because they're a bit pricey.

Agree with all of this

only applies when it's other countries who are doing the compromising? Why am I not susprised.

Of course

That’s how they roll in the U.K.

Oops. Surprised, not susprised.

I wonder what effect there will be with a customs border in the Irish Sea. Yes, I know that Johnson has sworn there won't be, but that is what he signed up to with his version of the Withdrawal Agreement. It's not May's version which didn't have a border in the Irish Sea.

That’s how they roll in the U.K.

I think you mean in England.

There are a lot of people in Northern Ireland who feel more British than people who actually live in England so I think it’s a stretch. But I would like it if it happened so we don’t have to keep remembering about that random offshoot of our country that no one really thinks about when they say UK

I don't think by the end of the decade, as so much needs to happen, but by 2040 maybe. But who knows? The UK has gone crazy, feels like anything could happen these days.

(Wouldn't mind the UK joining Ireland, if it meant we got Leo Varadkar over Bozo! )

I think the talk will start once Brexit is back on the table.
Leo Varadakar is quite patriotic and looked out for NI during Brexit talks.
If I happens the UK will be passing a hefty dowry towards the transition for many years.
The main fear of uniting is the back lash of loyalists I believe the threat has greatly reduced now Boris wanted to shaft them.
There are still paramilitary groups active from both sides on NI it is so very delicate.

There’s a lot of groundswell in Wales for Independence too (I am welsh) and I would support it too. Wales is one of the biggest exporters of energy in the world & there are plenty of other arguments as to why it’s a good thing - people in wales don’t want to see their language and culture eroded anymore than it has either.

Sorry, 5th biggest energy exporter nation.cymru/opinion/wales-is-an-energy-colony-were-poor-because-our-dividend-is-drained-out/

Wales is 5th biggest electricity exporter (not energy exporter) which is great in itself, but even at the prices in the nation.cymru report you have linked, that is sales of £1.5bn which means a profit of approx £130m.

@PaddyF0dder

I’m not aware of many poor oil-rich nations

Is that sarcasm?

I don't know tbh but I now live in the Republic of Ireland having moved here from the UK. The majority of folk I speak to are opposed to a United Ireland; they say that NI would bring more problems than it's worth.