"Why would one of the world's most successful small nations risk epic disruption and possible violence by getting rid of a largely invisible border? Why should the Republic vote for a united Ireland? For more than a century, the answer to this question has been seen as so self-evident that it rarely even gets asked."
"If a referendum on unity arrives - and Britain could call one at any time - there is likely to be a significant No campaign south of the Border that will shock and appal many Irish people. Despite the Republic's electorate showing themselves to be unusually rebellious in referendums, there is an overwhelming assumption that in a border poll this would be different. For those who want a united Ireland, this is dangerously complacent."
A united Ireland would remove a largely invisible border, risking epic disruption and possible violence. The question of why the Republic should vote for unity has long been treated as self-evident and seldom examined. If Britain calls a referendum, a significant No campaign is likely in the Republic, capable of shocking many Irish people. The Republic's electorate has been unusually rebellious in recent referendums, yet supporters of unity assume a border poll would differ. That assumption risks complacency and may overlook complex public concerns that could produce an unexpected rejection of unity.
Read at Independent
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