Northern Ireland 2125?

If it wasn't for Brexit and both sides would remain part of the EU, I would have said, why not keep the status quo. Let NI have their own government and part of the UK but at the same time, make the border as transparent as possible would have been my choice.

However once Brexit came along things did change, even if there are certain arangements for NI.

If I was living in NI what would bother me the most is:

Changing NATO membership with neutrality and how it is lived in the Republic of Ireland

Changing the British pound for the Euro, just for interest/savings and banking reasons.

And thirdly, and that's personal, I'd also miss the monarchy ( even though most would disagree with me in this forum) but a Governor General would also be fine with me.

Overall, a united Ireland should at least be part of NATO, but I would be aware that's a very difficult conversation to have with most in the Republic.

And if no agreement can be reached, let's make the status quo as smooth and transparent as possible.

I think loyalist culture may die out. We have seen more mixed marriages in the past 25 years than there probably was the 300 years before it. When people are from a mixed background they are more likely to be involved in Irish culture than loyalist culture because Irish culture isn't as extreme as orange culture. The question is what would unionist culture look like in 100 years? Will it simply be the Northern Ireland football team and motorbike racing?

I have always known that many unionists don't really care about the UK. Their main love is for "Ulster". Even if France or Germany came in to rule Ulster they would be ok with that as long as they weren't ruled from Dublin.

I don't actually care about the future of the place as I'll be dead by then. There is no win for Catholics as we would be a part of a country that didn't want us either way. I consider it unfortunate to have to live in this country as a Catholic. Very bad luck actually, 32 counties in Ireland and I had to be from one of the 6.

One of the big issues to be addressed is Conservative North versus Progressive South. Would people in the South be willing to accept the rolling back of laws on divorce, abortion, gay marriage etc?

Eh?
Why would they have to accept that? You can get a divorce in NI and gays have been able to marry since 2020. Abortion law has been changed too.

I am aware that some would want Irish reunification no matter what. And these some would think they are in the majority and everyone has to like their opinion, and it's the chance Ireland has been waiting for for centuries….. Knock down the door if the lock is jammed, something like that. Sounds a bit like a Brexiteer.

However you may be aware that attitude to military and defence in the UK are different to those in the ROI. It's like stating that "We've never had a fire, so why do we need firefighters?" in the ROI. So, pls be aware somebody would always prefer NATO membership over neutrality, espeically the kind of lame ROI neutrality.

Also you should remember that the decision wouldn't be down to the people of the ROI, it would have to be a referendum by the people in NI.

And then there are financial considerations. There are considerable financial transfer payments from Westminster to NI, a bill Dublin would have to foot in case of reunification.

The kind of low corporation tax rate policy in the ROI wouldn't be able to cope with that at all. ( SF wouldn't have a problem with that, they'll just introduce another tax, they are nationalist lefties)

And then there are other matters, re-naming streets and places after Irish republicans rather than British names. Also if remembrance day would go, lot's would be bothered.

You wouldn't be bothered, but others would be. It's not your decision, it's the decision of many others.

To date a referendum in NI hasn't been called.

I am aware that some would want Irish reunification no matter what. And these some would think they are in the majority and everyone has to like their opinion, and it's the chance Ireland has been waiting for for centuries….. Knock down the door if the lock is jammed, something like that. Sounds a bit like a Brexiteer.

However you may be aware that attitude to military and defence in the UK are different to those in the ROI. It's like stating that "We've never had a fire, so why do we need firefighters?" in the ROI.

They won't be in the UK if there is a successful democratic majority vote.
Irish people have had to accept things they don't like under the GFA and that is all Unionists will be asked to do in a UI.

Observe democracy.

People from other countries can serve in the UK forces if they wish, no different for folk in a UI.

If a majority in a UI want to join NATO, so be it.

As you say, these are decisions for the people of Ireland, nobody else. And nobody on any side should be appeased.

NI nor ROI.

There would have to be a referendum in NI first.

Yes, and if both refs are successful they would no longer be in the UK. So their UK attitude to military would no longer be relevant. The important attitude would be the majority one in the new UI, same as it is in any democracy.

Very siimple. There will be a 3-4 year lead in period after the vote. UK will still be responsible for security in N.I. during this period. UK will also want it to work and will deal with any issues before final handover.