Irish Unity by Ben Collins sampler
Irish Unity is the first book to explore Irish reunification in the aftermath of Brexit which is written by Ben Collins who comes from a pro-British and Unionist background and has lived and worked across the UK. In this book Collins explains how he has come to favour Irish Unity. He uses his twenty years of experience working in political communications to give his insight on the current situation regarding the building momentum for Irish Unity, the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and Brexit. In this book he sets out what it would take to win a Border Poll referendum and the importance of preparation in advance.
Inspired by the momentum of the Scottish referendum and taking lessons from elsewhere, Ben Collins guides the reader through the steps needed from both sides that he believes will unite Ireland.
Collins gives deep insight from a Northern Ireland perspective about how the financial, cultural and social ramifications could pan out for citizens in both parts of Ireland and how it would affect the United Kingdom, Europe and the world.
Irish Unity is the first book to explore Irish reunification in the aftermath of Brexit which is written by Ben Collins who comes from a pro-British and Unionist background and has lived and worked across the UK. In this book Collins explains how he has come to favour Irish Unity. He uses his twenty years of experience working in political communications to give his insight on the current situation regarding the building momentum for Irish Unity, the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and Brexit. In this book he sets out what it would take to win a Border Poll referendum and the importance of preparation in advance.
Inspired by the momentum of the Scottish referendum and taking lessons from elsewhere, Ben Collins guides the reader through the steps needed from both sides that he believes will unite Ireland.
Collins gives deep insight from a Northern Ireland perspective about how the financial, cultural and social ramifications could pan out for citizens in both parts of Ireland and how it would affect the United Kingdom, Europe and the world.
irish unity practical actions to move the two parts of the island of Ireland into one united country. This book is a think piece based on my ideas as well as cold, hard facts and figures, intended to generate a discussion about how we can create Irish unity together. It sets out a passionate belief about why there should be Irish unity, how the campaign could be won and, crucially, how through careful planning and implementation we can make sure it is a success for all its people. Unionists and loyalists need to be part of this discussion. While we cannot force people to take part in the discussions, we must continue to provide assurances and demonstrate that there will be safeguards for all in a New Ireland. 28
Introduction To say that we are living through an age of disruption is an understatement – these are extraordinary times. The UK has decided to embark on a Brexit journey with no agreed destination; it is no longer a member of the European Union, but there is no consensus on what the future relationship should be. At the same time, we are dealing with the ongoing fallout from the COVID- 19 pandemic. Throughout both of these major, catastrophic events, it has been clear that Northern Ireland is not a top priority for the UK government. As we only have a population of 1.9 million out of a UK population of around 67 million, we should not expect to be considered the most important priority; however, policy decisions on both crucial issues have been taken against the best interests of Northern Ireland. The fact that everyone across Ireland must appreciate is that, although I do not believe there is any innate hostility to the region, the British government do not care about Northern Ireland or value its contribution to the UK. Brexiters were frustrated by the added complications that Northern Ireland caused for leaving the EU because Northern Ireland shares a land border with another EU country (Ireland), but they got the Brexit that they wanted by putting a border in the Irish Sea. Britain has more freedom in how it has left the EU and, in theory at least, greater flexibility to negotiate trade deals with the USA and others. Multiple opinion polls by Lord Ashcroft 2 and YouGov 3 show the extent of England’s disinterest in Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland – Brexiters would rather see Brexit secured than keep either Scotland or Northern Ireland as part of the UK. Being separated by the Irish Sea, those in England perhaps do not feel that they have as much in common with Northern Ireland, as they do with Scotland and Wales. So, the future of the region is with the rest of the island. The UK does not have a written constitution. However, the Irish Republic does and this incorporates the Good Friday Agreement which also covers Northern Ireland. It was our pathway out of violence, as a post- conflict society and it will be our route map towards becoming a settled society, where we can finally live in peace. 29
- Page 3 and 4: BEN COLLINS grew up in a strongly p
- Page 5 and 6: Irish Unity: Time to Prepare BEN CO
- Page 7: For Dylan Ní neart go cur le chéi
- Page 11 and 12: Acknowledgements I would particular
- Page 13 and 14: Foreword Ben Collins has written a
- Page 15 and 16: Glossary of Terms Alliance: Liberal
- Page 17 and 18: Timeline of Key Events Outlined bel
- Page 19 and 20: timeline of key events 24 March 197
- Page 21 and 22: timeline of key events 26 June 2000
- Page 23 and 24: timeline of key events 16 Jan 2017:
- Page 25 and 26: Preface I should confess right from
- Page 27 and 28: preface Back in Northern Ireland, I
- Page 29: preface of my unionist background -
- Page 33 and 34: introduction EU- UK trade deal. The
- Page 35 and 36: introduction These examples of peac
- Page 37 and 38: introduction adopted, at times, con
- Page 39 and 40: introduction too divisive. Disappoi
- Page 41: introduction Part of the reason tha
irish unity<br />
practical actions to move the two parts of the island of Ireland into<br />
one united country.<br />
This book is a think piece based on my ideas as well as cold, hard<br />
facts and figures, intended to generate a discussion about how we<br />
can create <strong>Irish</strong> unity together. It sets out a passionate belief about<br />
why there should be <strong>Irish</strong> unity, how the campaign could be won<br />
and, crucially, how through careful planning and implementation<br />
we can make sure it is a success for all its people. Unionists and<br />
loyalists need to be part of this discussion. While we cannot force<br />
people to take part in the discussions, we must continue to provide<br />
assurances and demonstrate that there will be safeguards for all in a<br />
New Ireland.<br />
28
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