Republic of Ireland as part of the UK?

The UK is driven by what England thinks. Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland have no influence outside of devolved government issues. Why would be give up control of our own destiny? Why would we dump EU membership which is so important to our economy?

Ulster unionists only care about Northern Ireland remaining in the UK. I dont see them having any interest in an expanded UK.

I cant see a small minority supporting that idea.

While I've zero interest in the commonwealth, I wouldn't be opposed to it if it helped some of our British citizens in the North feel more welcome in a United Ireland.

Federal/Confederal solutions should absolutely be a topic for discussion, but I think Britain retaining anything beyond a temporary advisory input into governance is a step too far; the huge sacrifice of sovereignty and the potential for things to grind to a halt because the two governments can't agree seems pretty unworkable to me. Given the British struggle with coalition governance of their own affairs and their carry on throughout Brexit, I'd vote against Unification if that was how it was proposed.

The question is does Britain have an immediate future where serious and sustained intra communal violence isn't rocking the State, which is also dealing with being bankrupt and worse than Greece in 2008.

All sound logic from an Irish perspective. However I would suggest that it`s only a matter of time before some yoke leading a far right rump over there starts pontificating about making Britain great again, harking back to the colonial past. Rhetoric similar to what Trump comes out with, re Canada, Greenland etc. We`d be objective number one. It`s not that far off into the future either given the way things are going over there economically. I`ve already seen a woman (I can`t remember her name) on some right wing current affairs show not so long ago talking up colonialism. Give it a decade or two.

Correct. People forget what a basket case this country was in the 70's, 80s and up to the mid nineties, with large emmigration to England etc. I remember Gay Byrne, Irelands leading media person at the time, suggesting we should give the country back to the Queen with a note of apology. Then we had the celtic tiger, when we lived and partied off other countries money, and continued to get EEC / EU handouts. Then the collapse of the Tiger, and the IMF / UK / EU coming in to rescue us. And now good times again, thanks largely to be an offshore tax haven / corporation tax. Oh, and having little or no defence budget helps too, as other countries keep us safe, police our airspace when needed etc.

I have never met anyone in real life who wanted to be in the UK or the Commonwealth. I am sure there are those who wold vote for it in a secret ballot but like when it comes to a border poll, there's simply no credible politician who would propose it.

There is a very polarised debate in India about their future in the Commonwealth and it looks to be in the last throes of it's colonial twilight. Boris Johnson pondered using it to compete with the EU as a trading bloc so we should be careful if we do concede to joining it to appease Unionists. There are better ways to enshrine and protect their identities anyway.

The Indians are funny about the Commonwealth Games:

 If the proposal gets accepted, India will host the quadrennial event 20 years after the scandal-hit games in Delhi. If you have never watched these games, count yourself lucky because it is the only sporting event in the world where you can take a nap, get a snack, and still miss nothing.

Here’s what John Oliver, the British host of Last Week Tonight on HBO, said when he heard about it:

“What the f*** are the Commonwealth Games?

Well, imagine a competition without the US, China, and Russia.

Then imagine a track meet dominated by sprinters from Wales, and you have the Commonwealth Games….

The games began in the 1930s just as the British Empire was falling flat on its face, and for some reason continues to this day.

As relevant as the Lions tour or tournament.

No doubt of that at all Fionn.

I won't have a huge problem accepting a democratic vote, but I will argue against.
Enshrining the right to identify as you wish for all citizens is more important than appeasing them.

What do you mean by more welcome?

If Unionists are not willing to accept a democratic vote then I doubt joining the commonwealth is going to salve that element.

Unionists will be as welcome here as anyone else willing to take part in their country.
Join the Commonwealth because you want to not because you think it will curry favour with someone. I think if people feel they are doing something they don’t really want to do invites problems further down the road.

LOL! No!!

You're acting like an Irish Nationalist now yet I remember you posting months ago saying you wanted check points at the border again. A great Irish nationalist mindset.

Be specific, Francie. Let's assume the worst, Farage is somehow Prime Minister....what obligations do you think Commonwealth membership would put upon us that he could in any way use to cause problems?

I could be wrong but I don't believe Commonwealth membership carries any binding commitments at all

Research the voices of those already in the Commonwealth and who think it is a bad thing.
Start with those in the biggest member India.

One of the key issues they speak of is HoC's members meddling in India's affairs. Look up the Harare and subsequent declarations which specifically give the Commonwealth coercive powers.

Harare, 1991
This declaration laid a plan for the Commonwealth’s future, including a commitment outlining priorities. Further, it declared that Commonwealth is a voluntary agreement of sovereign independent nations liable for implementing their respective policies, collaborating and working together in the best interest of one’s citizens, and the endorsement of global understanding and harmony. It re-introduced that influence element of commonwealth. In other words, commonwealth could directly concern itself with any member nation if they find them violating the commonly held principles.

As I have already said, we are already voluntarily in a Union with coercive powers, we would need to be careful joining another one led by a country which sees itself, to varying degrees, as a competitor to that Union. Depending on who is in power there that can be a benign rivalry or a very bitter rivalry.