In the Good Friday Agreement, part of the deal for giving up Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution/Bunreacht na hEireann was to hold a border poll to determine our future. The date for such a poll would be determined by the British Secretary. It would seem that the recent British overlords are reluctant but pressure must be brought to bear on the next Secretary of State to announce the year for the poll. There is a quiet confidence that the Border poll which must be held sometime in the next few years will deliver a majority in favour of reunification – but this majority will have to work very hard to accommodate the minority who oppose reunification. These must be reassured that their future in an all island political framework will be protected and that their culture will be protected. In the likely event of a majority vote in favour of reunification the two governments will have to work hard to make the transition of sovereignty from London to Dublin as smooth as possible.
A border poll in favour of Irish reunification should not be a time for triumphalism or shouts of victory but a time for sharing and working together. This new progressive understanding of the future is based on the significant achievements of the 1998 Belfast Agreement and in the growing confidence of the republican community since then. It has been developed, often painfully, through the political experience of sharing power with those who were once sworn enemies. It has also developed on a 32 county basis with growing support for the Sinn Fein party in the 26 counties forcing other parties and the media there to begin to espouse the cause of Irish reunification. Even some political parties in the 26 counties, other than Sinn Fein, are now talking about a re-unified Ireland at their party conferences.
Brexit has changed the political landscape and one of the unforeseen outcomes of the Leave vote in England and Wales was to increase the momentum for both Irish and Scottish independence. The end (of the British empire) is nigh!
Be careful what you wish for. Without proper planning and a sea change in public services in the 26 counties a premature Border poll will reinforce the Union.
Who say’s we’ll even need a poll Brian? It could go the same way as the Berlin Wall collapse. Hundreds of irate protestors one day crossing over the hard border, thus rendering it irrelevant and hastening reunification.
It is my belief that the British deliberately inserted the clause that the SOS had to call a border poll, whenever he or she believed that the outcome would be for a united Ireland. Knowing that could be the result, they could always claim that they did not think it is in the interest of the peace process, and therefore keep putting it off. This rule must be changed as it hinders the right of the population who believe that a united Ireland is the only long lasting answer to all the problems of this failed entity known as Northern Ireland.
Erm, if an ‘occupation’ can be ended by voting then it’s not an occupation then, just saying…
AmG
Not merely an occupation but a reign of terror according to Joe
“Right lads our reign of terror is over. There’s been a vote and 50%+1 want us to stop”
“Aw Sarge its not fair”
“Come on now you know that’s the rules for reigns of terror! Stupid Boy!”
Erm, if a vote can only take place at the discretion of the occupying officials it is an occupation then, just saying….
Blame the people of NI for that one M Moore. They voted for it through the GFA referendum.
Out of interest what mechanism would you prefer to trigger a border poll? I always liked the idea of having a question on the census form to gauge appetite for one.
“Erm, if a vote can only take place at the discretion of the occupying officials it is an occupation then, just saying….”
As agreed to by the representatives and supporters of those who ‘fought against occupying forces’ and agreed to by the same pool of voters who would be voting in said border poll.
Occupy…to reside,live in ,or be the tenant of……simple enough terminology…. even for the not so bright……if you’re asked to leave…well ? , and as for the crass attempt at humour … after almost 900 years of continual genocidal pogroms against your neighbour ….child-like playground invictives don’t progress your case at all….you really have an empty box !
No the Good Friday Agreement only requires a border poll of there is the likelihood of constitutional change. The combined nationalist vote is not enough.
Why do u think there will be one called for five years
From now because fugures show that by the 2021 censes or before hand that the north of ireland will have a Nationalist majorty sorry to say that but is true
A border poll will not deliver unity. It’s an undemocratic sectarian head count which disenfranchises the majority of Irish citizens. The nation should have a choice, not a minority of the nation.