United Ireland

[Evil Genius]

Puts it on the agenda and stimulates debate.

Yeah, right.

This is typical electioneering, where a political party seeks to curry favour with its target electorate by "writing a cheque" which they know will never be cashed.

The GFA is quite clear: "... the Secretary of State shall exercise the power [to hold a Referendum] if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland."
http://www.nio.gov.uk/agreement.pdf

There has never in the history of NI been any sign that a majority of the NI electorate favoured a UI; I would be entirely confident that the forthcoming election will not change that, either.

People can't be expected to vote in a referendum until they know what the various options will entail.

There won't be a referendum, so why should they waste time considering the "options"? 

Mainstream Parties have so far gotten away from outlining their ideas for the future in regards to the shape of the country after reunification.

Just like they have eg gotten [sic] away with outlining their ideas for the future after a giant meteorite strikes the earth.

If a referendum is called they'll be able to long-finger no more.

"If."

Unionists for their part will also have to come up with some sensible counter-arguments rather than dismissing the notion with the usual patronizing bull.

Unionists don't/won't have to do anything.

[Ulick]

The advantage of having the debate now is that it flushes their arguments out into the open where they can be tackled one by one. For example, no one could seriously expect that we would simply be amalgamated into the South as unionists might try to say. Once that is accepted we can move onto discussing the nuts and bolts of the new arrangements and the shape of the whole country not just NI or the bastardised Free Sate version of the "Republic" we have now. If it was held now, I'd guess high 30s/low 40s. However I'd also expect that to rise when the shape of new arrangements become clear and fears are eased, then everything comes into play for the one after.

[Evil Genius]

The advantage of having the debate now is that it flushes their arguments out into the open where they can be tackled one by one.

The advantage of having the debate* now is that it (a ) allows SF to emphasise its Green credentials over the SDLP in the forthcoming battle for the Nationalist vote; (b ) it allow SF to stretch ever further its (frankly risible) fiction that the GFA is some sort of "half-way house" towards a UI; and (c ) offers the hope of raising the political temperature generally, which in NI always works to the advantage of the extremist parties. (The Unionist equivalent is the DUP raising the spectre of a SF 1st Minister, when it would make no difference in practice to the administration of NI).

* - Not that Tub-Thumping constitutes "debate"...

For example, no one could seriously expect that we would simply be amalgamated into the South as unionists might try to say.

(Straw Man)

Once that is accepted we can move onto discussing the nuts and bolts of the new arrangements and the shape of the whole country not just NI or the bastardised Free Sate version of the "Republic" we have now.

"Once that is accepted..."

"I wish, I wish, I wish  I was in Kansas..."

If it was held now, I'd guess high 30s/low 40s. However I'd also expect that to rise when the shape of new arrangements become clear and fears are eased, then everything comes into play for the one after.

The usual Shinner trick of setting a low target, then claiming "victory" when it is marginally exceeded.
Anyhow, if ever there were any prospect of the Shinners getting their "wish" (and there isn't), they wouldn't have the courage to go ahead with it:

"Put 'em up, I said, put 'em up..."

[heganboy]

It would be kind of funny if counties/ cities/ towns/ townlands etc could vote to become part of a UI.

[Hardy]

It would be kind of funny if counties/ cities/ towns/ townlands etc could vote to become part of a UI.

Great idea. Why not extend the concept? I'm going to see if our village can join Sweden. Because of our location we'd get all the good bits (a working economy, banks instead of casinoes, low inflation, more public holidays, a great health system, good design, public transport, roads) and none of the bad bits (sub-zero weather, 3 months of 24-hour darkness, loads of Swedes about the place).

[laoislad]

It would be kind of funny if counties/ cities/ towns/ townlands etc could vote to become part of a UI.

Great idea. Why not extend the concept? I'm going to see if our village can join Sweden. Because of our location we'd get all the good bits (a working economy, banks instead of casinoes, low inflation, more public holidays, a great health system, good design, public transport, roads) and none of the bad bits (sub-zero weather, 3 months of 24-hour darkness, loads of Swedes about the place).

Certainly rather have some of these around than Meath heifers women

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

It would be kind of funny if counties/ cities/ towns/ townlands etc could vote to become part of a UI.

Great idea. Why not extend the concept? I'm going to see if our village can join Sweden. Because of our location we'd get all the good bits (a working economy, banks instead of casinoes, low inflation, more public holidays, a great health system, good design, public transport, roads) and none of the bad bits (sub-zero weather, 3 months of 24-hour darkness, loads of Swedes about the place).

Certainly rather have some of these around than Meath heifers women

They some of our Norse cousins I was on about 

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Once that is accepted we can move onto discussing the nuts and bolts of the new arrangements and the shape of the whole country not just NI or the bastardised Free Sate version of the "Republic" we have now.

Why do some Northern Republicans do this? They try and insult the people of the Republic and Unionists at every single turn and then expect everyone to be sreaming for a United Ireland. Stop the insults and it might (and probably/hopefully) will happen a lot quicker.

[ardal]

Once that is accepted we can move onto discussing the nuts and bolts of the new arrangements and the shape of the whole country not just NI or the bastardised Free Sate version of the "Republic" we have now.

Why do some Northern Republicans do this? They try and insult the people of the Republic and Unionists at every single turn and then expect everyone to be sreaming for a United Ireland. Stop the insults and it might (and probably/hopefully) will happen a lot quicker.

F*ck you MGHU.

We will decide if/ probably / hopefully a United Ireland will happen, and we'll also decide if it happens quickly, slowly, super quickly or just at a nice wee dander of a pace

[Ulick]

Once that is accepted we can move onto discussing the nuts and bolts of the new arrangements and the shape of the whole country not just NI or the bastardised Free Sate version of the "Republic" we have now.

Why do some Northern Republicans do this? They try and insult the people of the Republic and Unionists at every single turn and then expect everyone to be sreaming for a United Ireland. Stop the insults and it might (and probably/hopefully) will happen a lot quicker.

No need to be so sensitive mghu, no one is insulting you, merely pointing out your "Republic" is not even close to the ideal our forefathers fought. You should be glad we'll soon have a chance to finish the job.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Once that is accepted we can move onto discussing the nuts and bolts of the new arrangements and the shape of the whole country not just NI or the bastardised Free Sate version of the "Republic" we have now.

Why do some Northern Republicans do this? They try and insult the people of the Republic and Unionists at every single turn and then expect everyone to be sreaming for a United Ireland. Stop the insults and it might (and probably/hopefully) will happen a lot quicker.

F*ck you MGHU.

We will decide if/ probably / hopefully a United Ireland will happen, and we'll also decide if it happens quickly, slowly, super quickly or just at a nice wee dander of a pace

f**k You  Ardal, the Enemies of the Only one True Irish Republic, are the enemies of the Irish people. Long Live the Irish Republic and f**k enemies like you. Irish Army, Irish Rangers and An Garda Síochána to defend us against external terrorism

I LOVE THE IRISH REPUBLIC, IF YOU HATE OUR IRISH REPUBLIC, f**k YOU UP THE ASS WITH A SHARP STICK.

[Maguire01]

"wouldn't it be great if it could be like this all the time?"

[Aerlik]

"In other words, if Irish Republicans are to achieve the UI which they desire, then their task is to persuade  those million British Irishmen of their (Republicans') case. To date they have failed miserably; in fact if anything, their preferred method (coercion) has only had the opposite effect." 

Aye, mother England had the same attitude to China re. Hong Kong, too, eh Equitable Gobshite. 

[AQMP]

The advantage of having the debate now is that it flushes their arguments out into the open where they can be tackled one by one.

The advantage of having the debate* now is that it (a ) allows SF to emphasise its Green credentials over the SDLP in the forthcoming battle for the Nationalist vote; (b ) it allow SF to stretch ever further its (frankly risible) fiction that the GFA is some sort of "half-way house" towards a UI; and (c ) offers the hope of raising the political temperature generally, which in NI always works to the advantage of the extremist parties. (The Unionist equivalent is the DUP raising the spectre of a SF 1st Minister, when it would make no difference in practice to the administration of NI).

* - Not that Tub-Thumping constitutes "debate"...

For example, no one could seriously expect that we would simply be amalgamated into the South as unionists might try to say.

(Straw Man)

Once that is accepted we can move onto discussing the nuts and bolts of the new arrangements and the shape of the whole country not just NI or the bastardised Free Sate version of the "Republic" we have now.

"Once that is accepted..."

"I wish, I wish, I wish  I was in Kansas..."

If it was held now, I'd guess high 30s/low 40s. However I'd also expect that to rise when the shape of new arrangements become clear and fears are eased, then everything comes into play for the one after.

The usual Shinner trick of setting a low target, then claiming "victory" when it is marginally exceeded.
Anyhow, if ever there were any prospect of the Shinners getting their "wish" (and there isn't), they wouldn't have the courage to go ahead with it:

"Put 'em up, I said, put 'em up..."

Bit of pot kettle black I know EG...but you've way too much time on your hands mate!

[Lar Naparka]

"wouldn't it be great if it could be like this all the time?"

It is indeed; it sure bates a Mayo/Monaghan game any day for honest endeavour and total commitment to the job in hand. 
The latest 'cultural exchange' is shaping up nicely.
I love it when the semi-polite moolagumby is dispensed with and the cyber missiles start to fly -as they always do..
IMO, the inimitable EG is comfortably ahead  but the pack is gaining ground.
What do you think?