blanch152 wrote: » More fantasy flat-earth stuff. There won't be a border poll without it being clear what happens next. There won't be a united Ireland if the people of the South vote against it. Simple as.
BonnieSituation wrote: » So is now the time to plan for a UI or not? Unsurprisingly, we're getting some confused signals here.
blanch152 wrote: » No, because the numbers in favour of a united Ireland are falling in the North. What is the point of preparing for something that is less likely each year?
BonnieSituation wrote: » Pathetic
blanch152 wrote: » There won't be a united Ireland if the people of the South vote against it. Simple as.
blanch152 wrote: » Not a bit. A border poll is in the hands of the SOS. The position of the British government is clear that there is no prospect of a border poll in the foreseeable future. It is difficult to argue with that, as the conditions set down in the GFA are far from being met. There is no sign of a groundswell of opinion wanting a united Ireland in the North, in fact, with SF losing support every election up there in recent years, the signs are elsewhere.A more likely conversation will be around how to bring the option of an independent Northern Ireland onto the agenda.
Junkyard Tom wrote: » If you want a permanently partitioned country then work towards that goal because the current setup, and everything that goes with it, is not yours to appropriate.
BonnieSituation wrote: » Ah would you actually go away and put a cold flannel on your head.
blanch152 wrote: » Like you, I am one voter among millions, and entitled to my opinion, as much as anyone else. I am not the anti-democratic one who is claiming that a majority vote in the North means that the people of the South don't have a choice. ,
You really think that some of the people not on the nationalist side who are now calling for a conversation about the future of the island aren't going to play that card straight away as soon as the conversation starts. I don't think you are that naive, so I don't understand your fear. In any conversation about the future of this island, all options will be on the table, including that of an independent Northern Ireland, with a charter of constitutional human rights, member of both the EU and the Commonwealth.
blanch152 wrote: » Yes, the "republicans" are now running scared of a referendum in the South as the truth about the cost of a united Ireland is slowly becoming clearer and the people won't pay more taxes for it.
blanch152 wrote: » the people of the South don't have a choice.
Junkyard Tom wrote: » Oh they have a choice alright but they do not get to retain the status quo, of that I'm certain. You think everyone goes back to pretending nothing has changed the day after pro-UI vote in the north and rejection of it in the south? Hell will freeze over first.
jh79 wrote: » So what is likely to happen in this scenario?
BonnieSituation wrote: » No one is clamouring for an independent NI. Why you keep bringing it up us beyond me. Is the GFA and defending that not good enough for you?
BonnieSituation wrote: » We don't know. I know partitionists operate in a world of black and white and absolutes and yet are naïve enough to think such a scenario will have no effect on the future of this island. It's mindboggling.
blanch152 wrote: » You should be paying more attentionhttps://www.martenscentre.eu/blog/doesnt-independent-northern-ireland-deserve-chance/ Interesting point. "Northern Ireland should become a new Belgium. Hopelessly divided, but perfectly viable and with a chance for real material improvements in living standards." An analogy I hadn't considered before. The provenance of that article is also interesting - does it signal change in thinking within FG?https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/colm-t%C3%B3ib%C3%ADn-the-north-must-become-an-independent-eu-state-1.3010252 It seems I am not alone in believing it to be the best long-term solution. "Who has a problem then with Northern Ireland remaining a member of the European Union while also remaining a member of the Commonwealth, directly under the Crown? Who has a problem with it maintaining its soft border with the Republic while keeping also its British identity in full, its education system, its health system, its police force, its Sterling, its BBC, its Stormont, its electoral system, its agreements?" Couldn't have put it better.
blanch152 wrote: » The logical conclusion is that the people of Northern Ireland have voted democratically to leave the UK so that must be honoured, but that the people of Ireland have voted democratically not to have a united Ireland so that must be honoured, leaving an independent Northern Ireland as the only option that fits the democratically expressed will of the people of this island. The new Northern Ireland constitution could contain an aspiration to unity once people North and South have voted to accept that.
BonnieSituation wrote: » So a continued and imposed partition is your solution to partition? Time for you to go and agitate for it I guess. It'll be a lonely road. Cos literally no one outside of a few hardline loyalist wingnuts wants it. I look forward to repeating this to you next week when you inconceivably being it up again.
BonnieSituation wrote: » Surely we need a referendum on a UI then to make your fantasy scenario come through?
blanch152 wrote: » https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/colm-t%C3%B3ib%C3%ADn-the-north-must-become-an-independent-eu-state-1.3010252 It seems I am not alone in believing it to be the best long-term solution. "Who has a problem then with Northern Ireland remaining a member of the European Union while also remaining a member of the Commonwealth, directly under the Crown? Who has a problem with it maintaining its soft border with the Republic while keeping also its British identity in full, its education system, its health system, its police force, its Sterling, its BBC, its Stormont, its electoral system, its agreements?" Couldn't have put it better.
blanch152 wrote: » The logical conclusion is that the people of Northern Ireland have voted democratically to leave the UK
blanch152 wrote: » It's a different solution. An Irish solution for an Irish problem, so to speak. Northern Ireland in the EU means economic integration on this island. Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth means retaining strong cultural links with the UK. Northern Ireland standing on its own feet with guaranteed human rights means people learning to live with each other. Hugely positive step.
blanch152 wrote: » What you call my fantasy scenario has shaky foundations as it is built on the even greater fantasy of a border poll actually happening.
FrancieBrady wrote: » Well Tobin did foist The Blackwater Lightship and the cliches of 'Brooklyn' on us, so best of luck to him and you foisting an Ind NI on those who don't want it.
FileNotFound wrote: » I'm still waiting to hear Junkyard explain what exactly would change in RoI if the south votes no. A no vote would really just mean RoI continues on as is - would create a right mess up North no doubt.