British Strategic interest in Northern Ireland

markodaly wrote: »

Westminister gave the choice to the people of the 6 counties, and they made their choice. So to talk about the 6 counties being 'stolen' or all that stuff is just historical nonsense.

Stormont voted ? As in the elected representatives ?
Not ulster, just the six counties ..that had been partitioned itself because there were potentially too many nationalists ,and not the individual 6 counties voting because 2 or 3 of those may have decided to be part of the south .
Didn't you need property (worth above a certain amount to be entitled to vote ) ,excluded many poorer catholics from voting ..

The thing is it doesn't matter anyway ... The system that's there now , and the population that are there now are what it is , there is a mechanism for a vote on self determination , if that happens it happens ,and we'll all have to deal with those consequences,

Hamsterchops wrote: »

Let it go?

The reality is that the majority of people living in Northern Ireland wish to remain joined to GB (as part of the United Kingdom), however, if at some point in the future there are a succession of polls that show a possible majority in favour of leaving the UK, then a referendum on Irish unification would be held as per the GFA.

The 2022 election is likely to produce a nationalist majority.

Hamsterchops wrote: »

Probably, but what will the outcome be?

Will they hitch their wagon to ours, and will we in the ROI be ready willing and able to foot the bill that Westminster currently pays?

Can our health service absorb their NHS service and keep it financed to the current high standards they're accustomed to? Maybe they will vote to leave the UK, but will we be ready?

Ireland spends about 12% more than the UK per head on health. People born in the ROI have 2 years extra life expectancy than those born in NI. Treatment outcomes in the South are generally more positive so not sure where your 'high standards' assumption comes from.

I would have described myself as very lukewarm to reunification until recently. Some of the shinners on here would probably describe me as a blueshirt and that would be apt. However the recent English manoeuvres and the ulster loyalists provocations have made me reassess my views. I now wholeheartedly want the destruction of the northern Irish state economically as I believe this will lead to the reunification the quickest and protect our place in Europe. I would still class myself as a right of centre voter and I cannot stand the Northern irish politics but we will have to put an end to that statelet.
Not very popular opinion but if northern Ireland does well out of this protocol and as a result stays within the UK as there will be no incentive to leave the Brits will have us over a barrel. They could be continually messing with our sovereignty just to distract from whatever domestic issue they want to hide.

Strumms wrote: »

The biggest head scratcher would be the issue of security....

Firstly.. what happens to the Gardai / PSNI ... ? I’d imagine there would need to be a rebranding north AND south.... Irish National Police Force -INPF- or some such.....

In terms of the army presence , you’d probably recruiting of a few thousand to be stationed up there. Aer Corps too..

All other public services would need to be amalgamated with the South...

It would be a colossal undertaking maybe 15 years and billions in costs..

Could see some help from the EU... but the US wouldn’t be giving any assistance unless the Democrats are in power.. at best probably logistical.

Need to look at many things it's not just NI joining the 26 but a new Ireland would be created. New flag, new anthem new Capital.

Strumms wrote: »

New anthem hmmm perhaps , new flag possibly....more possibly an amendment or addition to the current one, new capital no... there isn’t one needed...

Approximately 618,000 people live in Co Antrim..

Around 1.17 million people live in Dublin city and county.

Dublin has better infrastructure, better transport links to other European capitals and cities, in fact the world..more links via air etc...

Dublin will still be Dublin and the largest city but a Capital would be for all Ireland. Do you think Belfast (both sides) will want to play second fiddle to a Dublin Capital?

saabsaab wrote: »

Dublin will still be Dublin and the largest city but a Capital would be for all Ireland. Do you think Belfast (both sides) will want to play second fiddle to a Dublin Capital?

It’s not about playing second fiddle, that’s toys out of pram stuff.. a capital city is more than a figurehead showpiece....

Picking a new capital requires infrastructure, transport, logistics, legal, political resources, security to be readily in place ....it’s all in place in Dublin, it’s not all in Belfast. Dublin is extremely well connected to the world by air, Belfast is poorly connected. They have one SEASONAL scheduled transatlantic flight from and to Belfast and the schedules and connectivity to elsewhere is very poor..same with cargo..

Capital will need to be in Dublin too as the vast majority of elected representatives will be closer to and have easier transport links to Dublin... imagine a TD in Kerry trying to get to Belfast and back in a day...

saabsaab wrote: »

Or a TD in North Donegal getting to Dublin? International access is secondary Athlone would be a better position Geographically. New legal and other resources could be developed as needed Cargo isn't relevant in this context. As things are Dublin is over crowded for this Island probably takes longer to cross the city than to travel 50 miles on the motor way.

To have a capital city, you need businesses, and they need stock. Dublin is the best resourced city on the island for infrastructure. And easy access to a workforce.

The six counties are the best workshop for them to build a wooden horse, and then push it through the open border into a complacent Republic.

Other than that, they can't willingly give back the North and expect to keep their other stolen "overseas territories".

Nqp15hhu wrote: »

So like the Irish government you don’t care about the well being of the people here.

Another example of why I don’t want to join your country.

If your vote is in the minority in the referendum then you have no choice or you will have to move to Britain.