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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.

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introduction<br />

too divisive. Disappointing, yes, but we need to use this time to prepare<br />

and set out a detailed plan for how unity will be successfully<br />

delivered.<br />

Once politicians from across Ireland realise there is an appetite<br />

for unity, they will surely get on board to help build the campaign –<br />

we have seen this through the welcome proposals on <strong>Irish</strong> unity,<br />

recently launched <strong>by</strong> Jim O’Callaghan TD of Fianna Fáil and Neale<br />

Richmond TD of Fine Gael. One result of the peace process, from<br />

a Unionist perspective, was that it froze the discussion and agitation<br />

for <strong>Irish</strong> unity <strong>by</strong> Nationalist politicians across Ireland and in<br />

<strong>Irish</strong> America. The new circumstances caused <strong>by</strong> Brexit mean that<br />

these politicians are now beginning to engage, so now is the time to<br />

actively campaign for unity.<br />

The post- Brexit era presents many challenges for the people of<br />

Ireland, as well as a once- in- a- generation opportunity. Many people<br />

across Ireland – from all political perspectives – have worked hard<br />

to make the peace process a success and secure the gains of the Good<br />

Friday Agreement. All of this is under threat due to the voters of<br />

England and Wales – people who have voted against their interests,<br />

for a variety of reasons, including concerns about immigration and<br />

an outdated sense of sovereignty.<br />

Northern Ireland and the <strong>Irish</strong> Republic have been able to build<br />

a mutual understanding toward a growing all- Ireland economy over<br />

the last twenty years. Do we allow the vote of others to put this hardwon<br />

progress at risk and accept that Northern Ireland will not have<br />

the same benefits of EU membership as the rest of Ireland? Or do we<br />

commit to securing our future <strong>by</strong> planning and voting for <strong>Irish</strong> unity,<br />

to safeguard our European destiny?<br />

Brexit is the death rattle of the British Empire<br />

The vote for Brexit can be defined in psychology as an example of<br />

the Dunning- Kruger effect, where people of low ability (in this case<br />

the UK government) have illusions about their superiority over others<br />

and believe that their brainpower is greater than others. This is a<br />

result of the inability of such people to recognise their shortcomings.<br />

The theory is that as they lack self- awareness, they cannot objectively<br />

evaluate their actual level of competence or incompetence.<br />

The UK has decided to stop immigration and aim for a smaller<br />

economy, less influence on the world stage and increasing isolation.<br />

37

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