[pawrick]

Originally Posted by RetroBate

My position is that Ireland was united and I always find it curious that the question of re-unification is always posed in terms of N. Ireland joining the Republic of Ireland rather than the other way round.

this would be funny, could you imagine the reaction from them up North! ok so lads we've decided that we've had enough of that whole being a Republic lark and are rejoining the UK, giz a hug!

we have enough problems at the moment we should focus on and both the Republic and the North would require a lot of time to merge properly seeing how much time we have spent separate. i'm not against the idea or in any great way for it but if it were to happen it has to be done right and not forced. We have seen what forcing things has caused so far up there.

[nordisk celt83]

Originally Posted by CMACSAFF

Does anybody know what Labour's official position on Irish unification is? I cant find it on their website and they seem very vague on the North other than support for the Good Friday Agreement etc..

I know FF have it stated as a political objective and am just wondering what Labour's position is.

Cheers!

The Labour Party aspires to a United Ireland... However, they believe this can only be obtained by democratic means.

To my mind, Labour policies are generally seen as progressive, and more liberal than other parties.
These progressive values and aims to create a more multi-faceted and accpeting society are perhaps the most likely to ease Unionist conscience about the prospect of a United Ireland.

Micheal Martin recently stated that he didn't favour a United Ireland politically or geographically, and only hoped for a United People. He has also questioned Gerry Adams about his right to interfere in Southern politics, so FF policy on this issue is not quite as clear cut as it once was!!!

Regardless, all parties believe it should only come about by democratic means!!!

[CMACSAFF]

does is really matter? I mean they could come out and say they are fully supporting Ireland putting a man on the moon but it's irrelevant! it's not going to happen during this government's lifetime and almost definitely won't happen in your lifetime either

Your clearly not from the North

I can see how it seems irrelevant to you and to be honest if I was you I would probably view it the same way.

But I'm not and I don't - I'm from a part of the island which is currently part of the UK but I in no way feel British. I mean absolutely no disrespect to those that do see themselves in that context, their view is as valid as mine, its just that I don't. I don't see partition as a natural state for the island to be in either - currently the loyalties of the Protestant people are to the British mainland but this hasn't always been the case either.

The barriers to a united Ireland are numerous as pointed out and it is very possible I wont see a united island in my lifetime if ever. I appreciate that many in the South see themselves as being disconnected from the North although I find that sad (I would have to admit that northern nationalists at times contribute to this). The economics don't make sense and currently its hard to see a timeframe were they would. And the only united Ireland worth having is one were all sides agreed that it was in their best interests - currently a near impossibility in itself.

That said I will always believe in it and will not vote for any party that doesn't.

[punchdrunk]

Originally Posted by CMACSAFF

Your clearly not from the North

I can see how it seems irrelevant to you and to be honest if I was you I would probably view it the same way.

But I'm not and I don't - I'm from a part of the island which is currently part of the UK but I in no way feel British. I mean absolutely no disrespect to those that do see themselves in that context, their view is as valid as mine, its just that I don't. I don't see partition as a natural state for the island to be in either - currently the loyalties of the Protestant people are to the British mainland but this hasn't always been the case either.

The barriers to a united Ireland are numerous as pointed out and it is very possible I wont see a united island in my lifetime if ever. I appreciate that many in the South see themselves as being disconnected from the North although I find that sad (I would have to admit that northern nationalists at times contribute to this). The economics don't make sense and currently its hard to see a timeframe were they would. And the only united Ireland worth having is one were all sides agreed that it was in their best interests - currently a near impossibility in itself.

That said I will always believe in it and will not vote for any party that doesn't.

that's probably the most rational argument I've ever read by somebody from the North for reunification,balanced and insightful
fair play mate and I can definitely see where your coming from

personally as a Dub,I'd love for Ireland to be one big happy country
clean,safe,with good job prospects for everyone
my big worry would be a unionist campaign against the south if they had a united Ireland forced onto them,and further damage to our already shambolic economy

but if someday we can peacefully bring the two together,them I'm all for it

[gcgirl]

Seriously people we're fairly ****ed as it is :-(

[RetroBate]

Originally Posted by CMACSAFF

That said I will always believe in it and will not vote for any party that doesn't.

I wouldn't put much store by what parties say they believe in especially something like a united Ireland where they know they will more than likely will never have to deliver.

Good reasonable post though and I can appreciate where you are coming from. Please excuse the pun.