Leadership: The North’s First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Never has there been a more favourable time for unionism to engage with an Irish administration and negotiate an accommodation.
Daily Update Newsletter
Enter email address
Sign Up
This could be positive for Ireland, just as it was for Germany, which went from strength to strength after 1990. Union between the two traditions sharing this island promises to invigorate all of us. Hybridity is healthy, as Charles Darwin understood: it produces what he called “hybrid vigour”.
But first, we must have an opportunity to vote on our future. And we can’t keep being fobbed off with ‘not now, it’s divisive’ by Government parties in the Dáil. A date for those twin Border polls should be set, so planning and preparation can happen. Both Sinn Féin and the SDLP believe it ought to take place within the next decade, while Bertie Ahern suggests 2028. C
DUP minister Edwin Poots has been criticised for thanking a leading Brexit campaigner for his efforts following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union even though his party voted against the deal.
Trevor Lunn tells Dublin to set out case for united Ireland Trevor Lunn said Brexit and the attitude of the British government had transformed the north s political landscape. Picture by Cliff Donaldson 22 December, 2020 01:00
Both the DUP and Ulster Unionists have ruled out engagement with Micheál Martin s Shared Island Unit
FORMER Alliance Party chairman Trevor Lunn has said the Dublin government should begin discussions on a united Ireland, while unionism must make the case for maintaining ties with Britain.
The Lagan Valley MLA, who split with Alliance earlier this year due to irreconcilable differences , said Brexit and the attitude of the British government had transformed the north s political landscape.
An MLA who was previously a senior figure in the Alliance Party has opened the door to a discussion on a united Ireland.
Trevor Lunn, who now sits as an independent at Stormont, has called on the Irish government to stop tiptoeing around unionism, take the initiative and lay out Ireland s unity stall.
Ireland should not wait until a Border poll is called when emotions may run high, according to Mr Lunn (74), formerly chair of Alliance and an MLA for the party for 13 years.
Mr Lunn, who describes himself as a slightly unionist leaning politician , believes there is a growing body of people in Northern Ireland prepared to discuss new possibilities. They need information now to help them reach a considered decision on where their best interests lie, he urges.
Mr Lunn, who describes himself as “a slightly unionist- leaning politician”, believes there is a growing body of people in the North prepared to discuss new possibilities. They need information now to help them reach a considered decision on where their best interests lie, he urges.
“There is a group of undecided citizens, and I regard myself as one of them. We’re at the point where these things need to be talked about in a more measured, unconfrontational way,” said the MLA for Lagan Valley.
“I’d say to the southern government, don’t wait for a referendum to put some of these things on the table. They shouldn’t wait until we get into the heat of a referendum campaign before they do it.