To think the so called Uinionist party are the most devisive of them all!

[abstractplantpot]

Conservatives and the DUP! both parties who claim to believe in the "Union" Yet both doing a great job at convincing the rest of us we would be better off out of the mess that is Westminster! AIBU for wanting a Border poll in NI?

I think it's too soon for a border poll, but also think the current situation is silly.

I'm a unionist in Northern Ireland. I don't want a border poll. If there is one, I will vote to remain in the Union.

Should the result be for unification with Ireland I will accept it of course.

I'm not convinced Ireland want the North at this point.

The DUP are an embarrassment. I vote Alliance.

I think it would be a good idea to unite Ireland, but bring the republic back into the UK. That way everyone wins, NI unionists are still part of the UK and NI nationalists have a united Ireland like they want.

This would solve all the Brexit border problems overnight. Ireland could still be allowed a devolved parliament/assembly like happens with the Welsh and Scots, their own regional TV programmes etc.

It's win-win really.

You're being sarcastic right? (I'm not good at interpreting tone)

"bring the Republic back into the U.K"..... this level of ignorance is genuinely astounding.

How can you bring a republic into a constitutional monarchy? By definition it's not a republic any more.

@Dotjones You are joking right? Bring the republic back to the UK??????

@deliverooyoutoo I'm an alliance voter too and I am delighted to see their percentage of the vote increase. However I'm increasingly erring on the side of the republicans due to the terrible devisive behaviour of the unionist party's. I'm not talking about SF either as they are as bad. I'm looking seriously as SDLP.

Interesting response, it would make Brexit look like a piece of cake.

SDLP are nationalists though, not republicans?

The Democratic Unionist Party by being seen as backwards by people in England and Wales, and given views on social matters made it a lot easier for the half-Brexit deal to be done with the EU.

I'd like to see the island of Ireland be one country, but doubt that any border poll currently would be in favour.

i wonder if the DUP will come out largest party in the next election?

@deliverooyoutoo I beg your pudding. that was a case of my fingers working faster than my brain

i'm interested to know why Unionists in NI still feel part of the UK when we they clearly have low regard for us. (not being judged BTw i'm looking to understand it) How do you feel about what's happening in Stormont?

I feel part of the uk because I'm British and I live in Britain.

The Assembly is a joke.

As a unionist voter in NI I'm more interested in what's going on in politics generally rather than having a knee jerk UI response. Why are our leaders unable to lead, what on earth is going on. It's such a toxic situation and it's worrying that we might reach a situation where no-one will want to be PM. My local council chief executive earns more than the PM and that makes no sense.
I'd like to see a general election next year and think all the parties need time to regroup and refocus. Remember David Cameron skipping out of Downing Street and off to his shepherds hut leaving someone else to figure out Brexit. Imagine if one of our children announced they were hoping to have a career in politics, it would be enough to give a parent a nervous breakdown.I know a 21 yr old who has made this choice and the scrutiny he lives under is horrendous.
What advice did Liz Truss have from her civil servants before launching her ridiculous budget, is the civil service really functioning as it should?
You can't extrapolate the horrendous political mess in the UK to the constitutional question in NI any more than you could a crisis in the Republic of Ireland but things are seriously wrong at present.

So freaky as I am just sitting here reading this and thinking about the same thing.

I want to see some proper laid out plans from someone and everyone about what a UI would look like and what provisions will be made for the 800,000 (is that about right?) people who strongly, passionately believe they are British. Because no matter what side you think you’re on and what you believe in, if you don’t take it very, very seriously then there will be a new wave of utter carnage. I am a soft nationalist (ie I believe we would ultimate be better off in a UI and the EU, with a strong mandate and a PLAN) but if you look at socio-economic current outcomes for working class protestant boys in the current system (and I believe they are being let down by society and their political leadership) then what have they got to lose, they will go nuts.

@Dotjones

I think it would be a good idea to unite Ireland, but bring the republic back into the UK. That way everyone wins, NI unionists are still part of the UK and NI nationalists have a united Ireland like they want.

Brilliant idea.

Oh, wait, what about the actual citizens of the sovereign nation of Ireland. Whatever makes you think that they might prefer being part of the UK rather than part of the EU

Never mind the size of the potential market, the general stability and growth rates. A moments consideration how Ireland has fared in the two different unions might stop anyone making such a colossally insensitive suggestion.

Incase I have to spell it out, would you suggest that it would be 'best all round' if Ukraine just shut up and asked to be joined back up with Russia ?

I think that posters just on the wind up.

Thanks @rainstorm101

I'll put the phone down now.

So frustrating though!

@rainstorm101 Thank you so much for commenting. i'm not a highly educated person and i'm learning as I go along. I feel exactly like you. i'm a "soft nationalist" Howevver I live in a very unionist zone and our constituency is steeped in tribal voting. our ballot ticket is generally DUP. UUP. an independent unionist and possibly a couple of Alliance. I've tried discussions with neighbours about why they vote DUP despite being unhappy with things here but they can't explain it. I will get a response like the one above. I'm British and they care about keeping us British.

No consideration for the shit show they have produced so far!

I'm going to have a look at this book Have you any other recommendations?

YES, i would say don’t start with this one it’s full on and only because I am writing a book. Except mumsnetting instead.

I beg you to read: A History of Ireland in 250 episodes by Jonathan Bardon. He was from Dublin but taught in orangefield, a boys secondary, so he is AMAZING at explaining the endless complexities of the history. It was a history programme on bbc radio, then made into a book of 250 shortish chapters. Actually life changing read.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Bardon

www.amazon.co.uk/History-Ireland-250-Episodes/dp/0717146499/ref=asc_df_0717146499/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311024204769&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6695097262126238425&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006886&hvtargid=pla-453641596293&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Same in Scotland @abstractplantpot
They are called Conservative and Unionist party here. But they are the SNP's greatest asset!
All the SNP has to promote is vote for independence and you'll get rid of the Tory shitshow

@rainstorm101 I've just ordered the paperback on Amazon. Heading to Galway for a quiet weekend next week i'll take it with me.