I hope they're right.
Not sure what the odds are, but much better than for an independent Scotland (or Wales)!
https://www.theguardian.com/politics...-stormont-deal
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I hope they're right.
Not sure what the odds are, but much better than for an independent Scotland (or Wales)!
https://www.theguardian.com/politics...-stormont-deal
Slightly off but on topic!!!, I did the Ireland pre-season tour quite a few years ago and left with not a very favourable opinion of the Irish, found them to be rude and unpleasant, also did 3 months in the north (Downpatrick, bandit County :hehe:)around 1981/1982 time, but didn't get off base much due to the obvious at the time so never really formed any opinion, very recently got back from some time in Belfast, the people I thought absolutely brilliant, so friendly and helpful, it's bloody expensive, taxi driver yesterday indicating that Belfast has become such a tourist Destination, the locals making hay without the sun shining!!!!. Share your enthusiasm for a peaceful United Ireland.Quote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
Why would you hope they are right?
Just one massive bonus would be to get the DUP out of British politics. Poor dears will miss their bungs when they report to Dublin.Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
Because I want to see a united Ireland. Obviously! :hehe:Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
We went back to Belfast for the first time in over 40 years last year. What a change!Quote:
Originally Posted by Heathblue
The people were brilliant, but the recent history is still there for all to see. One day we were at the amazing Titanic museum. The next in a black cab tour of west Belfast with the 'peace gates', the wall murals, the security netting, the commemorative gardens.
Also spent 4-5 days walking the Antrim Coast which was so much more than the Giants Causeway and the other (often Game Of Thrones) tourist sites.
I could see the Titanic museum from my Hotel window and from my place of work, no time off, 7 x 12 shifts thus no visit :angry:Quote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
Why?Quote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
Because Ireland is Ireland and should all have achieved independence over a century ago. Unity would help to repair the damage of partition.Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
Because the 6 county statelet has been a bastion of discrimination and prejudice for most of its existence - and the incubator of some of the most reactionary ideas and values in the UK.
Because the population of Northern Ireland is now more nationalist than unionist - and for those who have a religious faith Catholicism has more adherents than Protestantism. Not that religious faith is a reliable measure of political aspiration.
Because it would strengthen the cause of progressives and 'Europeans' and weaken reactionaries and Little Englanders.
If I lived in Ireland (north or south) I would support a united Ireland and vote Sinn Fein.
Finally, a united Ireland would annoy a lot of people on this board that I want to see annoyed. That may be the clincher!
Oi, you are encroaching on my territoryQuote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
Only two, a master and an apprentice young padawan :-)
I'm just a beginner at this. You are a black belt. :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Heathblue
:thumbup::hehe::thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
:hehe:Quote:
Originally Posted by Heathblue
Interesting! You old romantic!Quote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
All down to the people of Northern Ireland I think. Not sure I see the benefit in stirring of pots on this one
The delicious irony being that simple waanksplatt Boris Johnson has strengthened Irish unity via Brexit.Quote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
Tiocfaidh ár lá
Didn't have you guys down as as nationalists and separatists, especially when the people in the area in question don't support it!
But then the mythology is quite strong on this topic. Im partial to a bit of the Wolfe Tones from time to time myself.
But without a gi....Quote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
You prompted me to listen to them again tonight. Good - but better live.Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
I saw them once at the Sheffield Irish Club in Pitsmoor around 1989-1990. Room full to bursting and the Guinness bar ran dry. Great night for A Nation Once Again and The Men Behind The Wire!
More of a Dubliners man myself, but I have a lot of time for traditional Irish music. 👍Quote:
Originally Posted by jon1959
Separatists?Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
I'll suggest partitioning Ireland was always going to open up a box of bombs (pun intended).
As for the people in the area (you mean Ireland) not supporting it, you'll find within Ireland they overwhelming do.
Interestingly, since Brexit support for a United Ireland has increased in the partitioned six counties.
https://www.politico.eu/article/unit...dy-uk-belfast/
As an aside, Belfast is a great city for going on the rip.
Luke Kelly and Christy Moore.Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
It's not supported in Northern Ireland. Id say it's best left to those people, especially when so much blood has been shed, so many kids made fatherless over the matter etc etcQuote:
Originally Posted by Jordi Culé
The idea of a United Ireland is a romantic one, but it's never existed.
Luke Kelly is something else 👌Quote:
Originally Posted by Jordi Culé
Genuinely one of my favourite songs here:
https://youtu.be/Yg_3t-CHBZs?si=QUC4NM-rsRn0HFB5
United Ireland will create bloodshed.
Suppose that might wrankle the socalist on yer.
I think Ireland should be one state and it was a ridiculous "compromise" to divide it. But, to use a cliche, we are where we are. I can't see unionists taking a united Ireland lying down. Ultimately it's up to the people of Northern Ireland but obviously the majority faction will have the last word. Which could spark another god knows how many decades of violence. But maybe there is enough of a will not to go back down that road again to avoid it.
And I love the Wolfe Tones although the Dublin City Ramblers are my favourite.
The Bothy Boys were very good.
Thanks for that, I'vd forgotten how peaceful, tranquil and idyllic Northern Ireland has been during my lifetime.Quote:
Originally Posted by life on mars
I was born in 71.
Pretty stable for the last 25 years or so mind. Not entirely so of course, but nothing like it was. Id be very wary of a strong opinion either way, all down to the people of Northern Ireland and everything I have seen opposes it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jordi Culé
The Catholics will eventually get a united Ireland if democracy is followed as they will form a clear majority of the vote
What will then happen is the unionist lot who have always supported law and order .....rule brittania and all that ......will suddenly ignore all that to prevent Ireland becoming united
Religion and land , the root of all evil
I rather suspect the people of the Irish Republic would have something to say too! Are we quite sure that the majority of folk there are in favour of a union with the North?Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin Friday's Ghost
That stability you mention was brought about by the Good Friday agreement, you may want to read it?Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
The 'principle of consent' was/is interesting and it gave Republicans hope that things could be changed through consensus.
Only my opinion, but I see a United Ireland happening within 30 years.
Interesting review of the prospects for a united Ireland in the Guardian Briefing this morning.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...land-sinn-fein
Michelle O'Neill saying she can see a unity referendum within 10 years. Possibility of Sinn Fein forming the next government in the Republic. Younger people in favour of united Ireland. Impact of Brexit, support for EU and economic case for unity. Decision in the hands of UK government and indication of the level of support they would need to see to move on this.
10 years seems a bit optimistic to me, but the direction of travel is towards a single Irish state within 20 years.
Is that nutty leader of the unionists who went to bed with the Tories still around ?
She was a woman
Arlene Foster?Quote:
Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY
Rewarded with a bench in the House of Lords. Does a bit of political punditry on top to pay the rent.
Not so sure about that. From Jon1959's link, "Demographic changes favour a united Ireland. Support for reunification in Northern Ireland has been rising steadily since the Good Friday agreement was signed, while the proportion of people who describe themselves as unionists has gradually fallen. Younger voters are much more likely to support reunification: in 2022, 57% of 18 to 24-year-olds said that they would vote “yes” if a border poll were held immediately.Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
Catholics now outnumber Protestants. And in local elections last year, votes for pro-unification parties beat those for pro-union parties for the first time. Sinn Féin’s success in the 2022 election and O’Neill’s landmark ascent to the first minister post plainly reflect those changes. University of Liverpool politics professor Jon Tonge told the Guardian’s Rory Carroll last week: “I don’t think there ever will be a unionist first minister in Northern Ireland again. It’s over.”
Don't dispute it, but it doesn't change the point that the last quarter century has been fairly stable, so I'm not sure why you didn't mention that, but focused on the quarter century before that?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jordi Culé
We could indeed see a United Ireland within 30 years. We could also see a dismantled Spain, Belgium and US. That's the normal state of things really.
Whether we do or not is another thing..
Unless I am mistaken though, there is no poll supporting that the people of Northern Ireland want to join the Republic of Ireland, no?Quote:
Originally Posted by fingers
I was looking at the polls a few days ago and there is only one that shows majority support for a united Ireland in the six counties - that is probably a rogue outlier.Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
But support for a united Ireland has been growing over the past 25 years - even if it has flatlined recently (as has support for the union). The underlying political, economic and demographic trends point to a united Ireland with a generation in my opinion.
You should enjoy this:
https://factcheckni.org/articles/is-...nking-instead/