• Sinn Féin calls for Irish unity referendum within five years
    6 replies, posted
[URL="https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2017/0522/877031-foster-speech-brexit/"]https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2017/0522/877031-foster-speech-brexit/[/URL] [QUOTE][B]Sinn Féin has called for an Irish unity referendum within five years.[/B] The republican party said ending partition of the island had gained a new urgency following the Brexit vote. The party added Northern Ireland should enjoy designated special status within the European Union after the UK exit. The remaining 27 member states have declared that Northern Ireland can resume membership if Ireland is united. Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill predicted [B]another "groundbreaking" poll on general election day on 8 June.[/B] he manifesto said: "Sinn Féin believes there should be a referendum vote on Irish unity within the next five years. "The imposition of Brexit and cuts from the Tories demonstrates the unjust and undemocratic nature of partition and the union. "Ending partition has now taken on a new dynamic following the Brexit referendum." The party said the EU had shown itself flexible in handling different forms of integration and relationships for member and non-member states. It added: "Designated special status would preserve access to the single market and customs union, ensure that we retain the Common Travel Area and maintain access to all EU funding streams." The electoral blueprint promoted a message of anti-austerity, integrity and respect. It supported front line health service staff, a secure education system, an all-Ireland charter for fundamental rights and help for farmers. Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU by a majority of 56% to 44%, although large swathes of unionist territory opted to leave. Ms O'Neill said Northern Ireland was being treated as collateral damage by the Tories and dubbed it the most important election of a lifetime. Meanwhile Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster has said Northern Ireland was "very close" to reaching a Brexit agreement before the pausing of talks last month. Mrs Foster said that the Stormont parties had almost reached a deal, and expressed her hopes that they would "pick up where we left off" after the General Election.[/QUOTE] I don't think it's possible to have a border poll in five years. I'm not sure what if it'd be right. We really need to see what happens with the Brexit negotiations.
The article says "within" five years, so that ranges from tomorrow to 2022. If Brexit falls heavily out of the UK's favor though, I can see support for unification swinging up. Whether it'll be enough though, I don't know.
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;52260823]The article says "within" five years, so that ranges from tomorrow to 2022. If Brexit falls heavily out of the UK's favor though, I can see support for unification swinging up. Whether it'll be enough though, I don't know.[/QUOTE] Yeah that's what I meant. It would take a radical change in perceptions for Northern Ireland to have a majority pro-United Ireland. But who knows; depending on how Brexit goes and other political factors (like whether or not Scotland will leave the United Kingdom), there might be a border poll.
I can see a very bad deal for the UK in the Brexit talks bumping up support for unity, but I seriously doubt it'll be a landslide even with that.
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;52260823]The article says "within" five years, so that ranges from tomorrow to 2022. If Brexit falls heavily out of the UK's favor though, I can see support for unification swinging up. Whether it'll be enough though, I don't know.[/QUOTE] How much Brexit affects the Irish Republic is also a factor. While Brexit will likely cause an economic downturn for Northern Ireland, it's likely that it'll cause more problems for RoI. So the situation might be shit for NI in the UK, but Westminster still gives us a decent amount of money that I think RoI wouldn't be willing to afford, especially if Brexit has a large economic/fiscal impact - and if we did decide for Irish unity, then we'd likely be worse off in the RoI post-Brexit than in the UK. Either outcome is bad, which is very frustrating.
[QUOTE=CMB Unit 01;52260882]How much Brexit affects the Irish Republic is also a factor. While Brexit will likely cause an economic downturn for Northern Ireland, it's likely that it'll cause more problems for RoI. So the situation might be shit for NI in the UK, but Westminster still gives us a decent amount of money that I think RoI wouldn't be willing to afford, especially if Brexit has a large economic/fiscal impact - and if we did decide for Irish unity, then we'd likely be worse off in the RoI post-Brexit than in the UK. Either outcome is bad, which is very frustrating.[/QUOTE] At the same time I see there being huge economic advantages for the Republic through Brexit, especially with the Eu backing us up. And I certainly see an United Ireland, with two extremely important economic centres in Dublin and Belfast, doing well. I do see there being difficulties for a few years but I see it could ultimately work out better. That's really for people to decide however, and to see how the negotiations go. EDIT: do you think there's a risk of Westminster dramatically decreasing the amount of money Northern Ireland receives at any point?
Is the progressive unionist party still around?
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