Should Northern Ireland separate from the UK?

Question

and unify with Republic of Ireland? or form its own independence state? or remain part of UK?

Answer 1

Personally, and I am not Irish, I believe Northern Ireland should be unified with the South. They are geographically, historically and culturally similar.

However I do not believe war or terrorism should be an appropriate pressure to persuade this to happen. When it does it only makes most people less sympathetic.

I believe through diplomacy and democratic voting unification can be agreed on. With enough time and effort I believe this will happen.

Ultimately though, I hope that the world comes to see each other as world citizens, and not divided by nationalistic interests.

Answer 2

Thats really up to the people of Northern Ireland. The majority want to remain in the UK at present and if you compare the economic stabilty of the province compared with the republic it is not difficult to see why even without the history of the place people know where their bread is buttered. Out of the 60 million UK citizens 50 million live in England - therefore England supports the rest of the UK financially. The republic doesnt entirely control their own economy because of the Euro and cannot really afford to have NI - maintaining what is currently spent on the province. As for the historical dimension - these are throwbacks from what was happening in every country of the UK. Catholics and Protestants at war with each other - which in Irelands case was not helped by the civil war. Charles I raised an Irish Catholic army against parliament and the Scots and so Cromwells troops took their revenge when they went to Ireland. Its all a long time ago though but the history, people and culture of these islands are inextricably linked and despite our differences we all have blood from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and are therefore one people. I will say that I abhore the often stated view from the republic which is more about pride than anything else, when in fact it is non of their business - its up to the people of NI to discuss with rest of UK if they wish to leave the union. And thats the bottom line!!!!

Answer 3

Dusty makes some very valid points;however I believe that we should have an independent Northern Ireland.
If we were able to settle our differences and form our own stable government then we would be in a position to ask the U.K,U.S.A and EEC for a financial support package for say ten years to get us going,all three would be happy to help solve the troubles and they are already giving money to Northern Ireland anyway through various schemes and grants.
If on the other hand these countries do not wish to give us financial assistance then I believe we can still go it alone.
We pull out of the EEC and create a tax haven for private investors and companies,we would encourage companies to locate here because we are on the border of Europe with low corporation tax,which in turn creates fuller employment and more money in circulation in the local economy.
We don't need to spend any money on an army because the British and U.S armies would stave off any invasion from foreign countries anyway as it would be in their interest.
I could go on all day but in essence,yes we could and indeed should have an independant Northern Ireland !

Answer 4

The Muslims wil be taking over Ireland soon anyway so I guess it doesn't matter. They've already had asylum seekers holing themselves up in their cathedrals demanding asylum.

By the time the Republicans "get their country back" from us "oh so evil" British they'll look round and find its so full of ranting mullahs and suicide bombers it'll be no use to anyone.

As for whether it WILL happen or not, well as far as I understand it the ROI don't want the North (too much aggro for the Garda to police!) and as it would have to be voted on by the people of Northern Ireland (who are the ones who will be affected after all) there would have to be a majority voting in favour of unification with ROI and that majority isn't there at the moment. It may be in years to come who knows.

Answer 5

They will eventually become part of a unified Ireland. At present the protestant community (not all of whom are Loyalists) are in the majority that is set to change in the not too distant future due to a higher birthrate amongst the Catholic population. It shouldn't really be a problem in that both are members of the EU and already have several cross border committees. Northern Ireland could actually benefit economically as the standard of living in the South has improved dramatically in recent years.

Answer 6

I have looked at the answers to date. First to clarify the situation Northern Ireland and Ulster are different. Northern Ireland has six counties and is part of the UK while Ulster has nine counties and is a province going back to when the island of Ireland was made up of four provinces. The Labour Government in particular have made terrible mistakes in dealing with Northern Ireland. They have tried to force measures that would not have been acceptable in England. For example Martin McGuinness a senior Sinn Fein leader was a member of the Provisional IRA and admitted security forces provided evidence that he was a member of the PIRA army council that give permission for all terriorist activity including bombings in England. The Labour Government made him Minister of Education which was a joke because he had absolutely no qualifications. Would the people of England have accepted Saddam as Minister of Education? Its a comparable situation although Martin McGuinness was never as vicious as the Iraq dictator.
The majority of people in Northern Ireland are like "orphans". The mainland people don't really want us, the people in the Republic of Ireland at one time would have wanted a United Ireland but because of their booming economy no longer have an interest because their taxes would greatly increase. They have never had it so good but remember the days when money was tight and they don't want to return to those economical bad old days. Northern Ireland on its own can not survive. The people of Northern Ireland are second class citizens within the UK when it comes to the Chancellor's money. Tony Blair who is now proving to be a leader no longer in touch with public opinion is greatly influenced by Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein is a party of the past. Its goal is for a 32 county all Ireland socialist republic at a time when communist ideals have been swept away. Deals with Sinn Fein and the PIRA who the Dublin Government say are all one organisation (politicians backed by their own army to force their demands on democracy) have not given the majority of the population confidence.

Answer 7

There are too many loyalists living in Northern Ireland that would want to stay with the UK. I think there is a better chance of waiting till the EU is declared as a super country and the whole battle over Northern Ireland will become a mute point.

Answer 8

Not unless the majority of the people of Northern Ireland want it, which they don't.

I live in the Republic and I would not want my taxes to go any higher to support a failing economy like Northern Ireland.

We have enough bigoted people here already without bringing in the world's experts in bigotry and sectarianism.

Answer 9

I live in the Republic myself and thanks but no thanks. We have an economy which is booming right now and thats the way I like it. You will always have a few hardcore Republicans and Nationalists who insist on it in principle but they look on it as pride or a "wrong" that must be made right. We live in a democracy, and the majority of those in The North want to remain with The UK, although some believe this may swing towards Nationalists some years in the future. Sorry but my personal future finance and well being will always win over dew eyed sentimentality.

Answer 10

Yes, NI should no longer be a part of the UK. Letting it go will cause civil war though. That's why the government hasn't done it.