During the Election campaign in the 26 counties the Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, when asked about a Border poll, snapped that the time ‘was not right’ to talk about a border poll. The leader of Fianna Fail –the so-called ‘republican’ party, Michael Martin has repeated the same sentiment.
Another man who has voiced this view recently is Archbishop Eamon Martin who is the primate of all Ireland. I do not know if he ever wants to see this country reunited or how he believes it will be re-united. Does he think that we must wait until unionist leaders say they would be in favour of Irish unity. Does he and the other conservative leaders of FF and FG want to continue with the present set- up for the foreseeable future? The vast majority of his flock think differently.
Another commentator who is not in favour of a border poll any time in the foreseeable future is Patrick Murphy, a regular correspondent in the Irish News. This is a quote from an article he wrote in the Irish News (Jan 30, 2021):
“As the border poll bandwagon rumbles on, it is becoming increasingly clear that in attempting to demolish the northern state, nationalists are making the same mistake s which unionists made when establishing that state 100 years ago.”
This is a complete distortion of history. It was the British government which decided to set up the northern state against the wishes of the majority in Ireland as is clear from the results of the 1918 Election –when Sinn Fein won 73 out of the 105 seats. The British government used the Unionists to implement their policies in Ireland – and the unionist and Orange leaders were only too willing to implement these policies no matter what the cost to the working class people of Ireland. Their politics were dictated by self-interest –the interests of a narrow section of the people-mostly wealthy landowners and rich businessmen.
Murphy continues his mistaken interpretation of what really happened leading up to Partition: “In 1921, in -your -face unionists used its sectarian majority to foster triumphalism, arrogance and intolerance which ultimately led to the state’s failure. In 2021, in –your- face nationalism is using its expected (but by no means guaranteed) majority in a border poll to mock and taunt unionists, in a manner which will undermine the sustainability of a united Ireland. Nationalists have not learned that sectarian triumphalism is no basis for unity or stability.”
Some nationalists in the circle in which Patrick Murphy moves may not have learned but Sinn Fein- the leading republican party in Ireland today- is very conscious of its responsibilities in this regard. I have not seen any of the arrogance or triumphalism he talks about coming from Sinn Fein leaders or supporters.
On the contrary, I have seen a serious effort by republican leaders in Sinn Fein to engage with unionists and to reach out the hand of friendship to those who have been political opponents.
The Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald, has made her party’s position clear that there should be a poll before the end of this decade and that if in government they will make strenuous efforts to prepare for it.
Ultimately, the decision about the constitutional future will be taken by the Irish people in accordance with the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. It will be a democratic decision and it will be accepted by all who want a democratic solution and a democratic future for the people of this island of Ireland.
Now is the time to prepare for a Border poll so that the people of Ireland will know what kind of political arrangement they are voting for when a referendum is called. The discussion involving as wide a range of people from all political persuasions needs to intensify from now onwards.
All those who are interested in building a real democracy and a just and lasting peace on this island should be discussing what kind of Ireland we want and how this can be brought about in a peaceful political way. I believe that a referendum should be held before 2030.That will be 32 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Surely now is the time to prepare for a Border poll. We have the next six years to prepare. This should be a priority for the next government in Dublin.
No surprise re Catholic Church dictator Martin being opposed to a border poll. This same church was opposed to the Easter uprising! The history of the men only ( apartheid ) Catholic Church is that they like hanging out with powerful people even these who opposed even 26 of our counties being independent and wanted to see our 32 counties continue as a colonial state..