I'm digital friends with Linda Ervine, a unionist and activist/educator fighting for acceptance of the Irish language in Northern Ireland. Her brother-in-law was David Ervine, a former UVF volunteer and leader of the PUP. Her husband is also a former leader of the PUP. But she is very pro-Irish language and founded Turas, a mission that promotes Irish language in NI especially within the Protestant community stressing that it's their language too. Generations ago, both Catholics and Protestants who lived in Irish speaking areas spoke Irish and Catholics and Protestants living in Ulster Scots speaking areas spoke that language. Groups like this will bridge the divide between communities in NI and help move forward to the future.

A Federal Constitution that doesn’t emphasise Republicanism would help create a ‘Union of Ireland’ peacefully

Speaking as a man from Galway in his 60s with republican and unionist forebears, would it not be a noble thing to imagine, chat and invent what an "Ireland version 2.0" would look like, in friendship and together.

@johnkelly9037

9 күн бұрын

Hear , hear

@JonGilberts

8 күн бұрын

Well said, sir.

He is not the first Unionist to state that a united Ireland is inevitable. If the groundwork is done in advance by all sides, a great future could lie ahead for all.

@archieblair8728

11 күн бұрын

There will be no great future one way or the other. I does not work that way. It will be just more of the same.

@joeavreg2254

11 күн бұрын

This isn't about a great future for all, this is about the pragmatists aiming to get in now to sow the seeds of future strife. Unionism and Loyalism can't survive without creating division. They need to convinces the stupids that we are some kind of existential threat to them which is much harder when there are no walls between communities. This is saying "We need to prepare to sabotage a better tomorrow" because they failed last time with The Good Friday Agreement.

@aor3220

11 күн бұрын

@@joeavreg2254 the more sections of unionists do that the more other sections of unionist populace start to consider a united ireland alternative

@joeavreg2254

11 күн бұрын

@@aor3220 You can't be a Unionist and accept a United Ireland. These two things are completely anathema. The whole point of Unionism is denying a United Ireland by whatever means necessary. This is him explicitly saying "We have lost on these terms so we need to be on the inside to obstruct change on reasonable terms". Right wingers always play this game and you are seeing it play out in real time in the US right now as the roll back decades of civil rights victories because they knew when they lost so they got in on the inside and made sure to obstruct change on reasonable terms. Filling the seats throughout the Judiciary with crackpots and men who hate women. Now the Supreme Court makes sweeping judgements on cases that are proven to not even exist because you just have to convince the dopes the unreasonable is reasonable.

@aor3220

11 күн бұрын

@@joeavreg2254 I'm not really seeing the US analogy with what this man says. You're correct that the point of being unionist is to deny a united Ireland and this man is saying that every strategy, every tactic they've ever adopted has failed.

6 months before the Berlin wall came down, the experts said it would be years before a united Germany came to pass.

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

This is nothing like that.

@sauvignonblanc0

11 күн бұрын

Ireland will not unite like Germany. The Germans and Irish have said so: it will be planned and negotiated.

@Jcolbert123

10 күн бұрын

​@Nicksexploring It could be though. If Ireland was to finally convene citizens assemblies and put flesh on the bones of what a United Ireland will look like, then it can give people a goal to work towards and a demand for immediate change could come.

@PJP812

10 күн бұрын

what `experts` ? source please

@SynomDroni

9 күн бұрын

​That expert was Chancellor head of state Helmut Kohl himself and most everyone in politics on both sides at the time. The opening of the borders was a mistake in a press release. So, on the eastern side they kind of knew that they're doomed, but didn't really see a quick way forward either.​@@PJP812

it is incredible to hear a unionist say this

@ciaradonnelly4627

4 күн бұрын

Most sensible Unionists know they are a minority in NI and need to be looking to a new arrangement, young people have no truck with the Troubles as thankfully they did not live through it and are the future

Wow, a sensible member of the DUP. Well said that man

@aor3220

11 күн бұрын

I don't rhink he is a member of the party anymore. He was one of the original members.

Mr, Thompson has revealed the future. He is correct to want a sensible and wide ranging dialogue to design the new Ireland that will emerge.

@dentonyoung4314

11 күн бұрын

He knows it's not good to try to negotiate from a position of weakness. The Unionist position is weakening every day, so best to acknowledge the inevitable and negotiate now.

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

You wish.

@boohoo79

8 күн бұрын

​@@NicksexploringWhere are u from Boyo?

Absolutely Spot on Wallace Thompson ❤

An dup member that recognises an united Ireland is going to happen and the only way unionists will have an voice is to be mature about it

@JohnJKelly-of4dc

11 күн бұрын

It doesn't matter, it won't be Irish people. It won't be our country anymore

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

It's never going to happen.

@user-bo8gh9ey6n

11 күн бұрын

@@Nicksexploring It already has. What exactly do you think that the Good Friday agreement laid out. No border; North/South Ministerial Council; normalisation of security; normalisation of all civil service functions. When a United Ireland comes about, no-one will notice.

@chelsealoyal5633

6 күн бұрын

Your a fool to think no one would notice.I think people in the Shankill,East Belfast,Sandy Row and other Loyalist area's might disagree.

@user-bo8gh9ey6n

6 күн бұрын

@@chelsealoyal5633 Aww, look at you being a literalist just so you can insult someone online.

DUP founder makes reasoned intelligent argument Im pleasantly surprised ❤

@davdonoghue

11 күн бұрын

Just wait for the backlash - he will have been "possesed by deamons"

@martinforester3471

11 күн бұрын

I would call it a miracle!

This man is a visionary well done for speaking out

Paisley dragged down sunningdale agreement in 1974 which was the good friday agreement for slow learners , so dont be surprised what these bigots are capable of.

@clario2178

11 күн бұрын

They no longer have the British establishment behind them ,they want rid of them

@ciaranbrk

8 күн бұрын

He don’t have that kind of juice anymore they are seen as a party of obstruction and younger generation are sick of that.

@Babihrse

6 күн бұрын

​@@ciaranbrkwell he dead so there's not much juice to be had

@samtab1102

5 күн бұрын

Paisley is in hell now where he belongs

It's a conversation that the unionists are already having in private. The DUP risks losing its voter base by explicitly articulating this however, and therefore risks not having a stake in any "new ireland".

@markhart4922

12 күн бұрын

Not true at all

@davdonoghue

11 күн бұрын

I would be interested to hear how you know this ?

@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw

11 күн бұрын

The DUP political base is shrinking. It's called demographics.

@markhart4922

11 күн бұрын

@@AndriyValdensius-wi8gwyet unionists parties still win more seats. You do know that catholics are allowed to vote for other parties and not just Sinn Fein ?

@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw

11 күн бұрын

@markhart4922 Allowed ? It's a democracy isn't it ? They are "allowed" to vote for whoever they like, I assume. Nevertheless Sinn Fein is STILL the biggest party. In any case, as time goes on, and everybody becomes an atheist or agnostic, the whole Catholic Protestant thing will be consigned to the history books, where it belongs.

Good afternoon Max and all here. Sometimes someone gets wiser with age. I say sometimes.

A united ireland is the best for ireland, working together for the greater good.

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

Why isn't a united kingdom ?

@mn4169

11 күн бұрын

@@Nicksexploring Difference is that Uk is a political construct of england,s expansion from c. Edward I . The division of eire and northern Ireland was a political construct to keep some control of Ireland after irish independence in the 1920s. Britain and tve protestants divided ireland not the catholic irish. That is why Derry became Londonderry. WW 2 saw eire then neutral help the germans ,so Britain felt it was safer for them to keep a divided ireland. Now the protestants in northern ireland would say it protects them from the catholics. Protestants in Ireland, is also a construct from england's side to controll the carholics. Oliver Cromwell thing. So that is why the scots had a referendum to leave the union of 1707 I think it was and Wales chose to stay, because they have been attached to england since the fouteenth century. The first prince of wales was edward II. Nothing wrong with unions if they work, generäally they do not, some keep better than others, change and time changes our perspective . For example, kalmar union, sweden and norway, norway and demmark. Finland and sweden In some ways soviet union, usa, jugosalvia ( led to the Balkan wars in the 90s) and huge empires a s o. I am not daying a united kingdom is wrong, for england, scotland and wales it seems logical, they are physicslly joined to each other and very small. but ireland needs to be united snd independent again

@andykane9866

11 күн бұрын

​@Nicksexploring you understand a united kingdom scotland wales amd ni are part of the uk only to one thing feed england with revenue nothing else or more ,,why the hell would ireland want to be part of that

@mn4169

11 күн бұрын

@@andykane9866 never said thar ireland should be united to england.

@boohoo79

8 күн бұрын

​@@mn4169I'm from Dublin we are independent since 1922 and we became a Republic in 1949

A brave man - Go For It - and i'm English

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

So?

@boohoo79

8 күн бұрын

​@@NicksexploringAh an Englishman u are ,U should be praying for a United Ireland

as you say, this man is 'a breath of fresh air,' and he's correct. Dogs in the street know, a unified Ireland is coming down the tracks.

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

It ain't.

@johndevoy5792

10 күн бұрын

@@Nicksexploring wake up guy

@ciaranbrk

8 күн бұрын

@@Nicksexploringit is inevitable one day as it just makes sense.

I think Thompson is talking sense. I'm from a republican background (in Dublin) but the old ideal of a united Ireland is fairytale stuff in my view. I'm delighted Thompson doesn't use that term because it has all the hallmarks of a republican victory. What everyone needs to realise is there was no victory for any side, just years of mindless conflict. Britain has no interest in Northern Ireland Unionists - it would be more than happy to get out of the North and save the British taxpayer a lot of money. Unfortunately, for Unionists, that's the sad reality. I reckon they would be far better off to negotiate a New Ireland which totally respects all traditions. I don't want to walk all over the legitimate desires and needs of Unionists. I want them to be fully respect in whatever form a New Ireland would take. Unionists would have a lot to offer to a New Ireland.

@verbalkint98

11 күн бұрын

Great comment!

@ciaradonnelly4627

4 күн бұрын

They need to be part of this conversation and be brave enough to start it, not come in screaming against it in 5 years

Fair play to him. That's not easy for a Unionist to say.

If ROI is reunited with Northern Ireland, the EU's area will grow from 4,265,798 sq km to 4,280,128 sq km! +0,34%!😄 And the UK will lose 6% of its territory !! Brexiters:😯😫😢

@eoinj3929

12 күн бұрын

What a shallow comment. Only concerned with square footage and not the people😮

@octavianpopescu4776

11 күн бұрын

@@eoinj3929 It's not shallow. Land matters probably more than people, because land has resources and land has political, symbolic significance. For centuries a lot of wars were fought over "that piece of land should be mine, I have ancient rights over it" or "I want that piece of land".

@jrfinnan

11 күн бұрын

@@octavianpopescu4776 As American Republicans in the heartland keep learning to their cost, land can't vote.

@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw

11 күн бұрын

It's not really such a huge leap. The big leap will be inside the heads of the DUP and other unionist wing nuts. This gentleman at least acknowledges the inevitable. Sinn Fein is already the major party in NI. The border between NI and Eire is open. The 🇬🇧 border is in the Irish Sea, agreed by Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen at Windsor. Ireland is effectively ECONOMICALLY one unit, with no border. A final acknowledgement of a political union is a relatively small step. NI has been run from Westminster for several years when Stormont was shut. Is it really such a big leap to move it to Dublin ?

@paologat

11 күн бұрын

@@jrfinnanin a certain sense in the USA land does vote. Each State gets two senators regardless of population.

Someone's not going to offered any traybakes at the next LOL shindig...

@rabhiggins7343

11 күн бұрын

😂

@djpandsmm

11 күн бұрын

🤣 and LOL at those thinking that your LOL means Laughing out Loud and not quite understanding your initial comment

@Tourist1967

11 күн бұрын

​@@djpandsmmHaving said that, I am sure these knees-ups are an absolute hoot.

@necaacen

11 күн бұрын

🤣 a man willing to put his principals before his caramel slice is a brave man indeed.

It is their own fault, their biggest political 'allies' frankly view them as more a nuisance then it's worth, whereas labour who prefer a united UK, are ideologically anathema to them. It is unrealistic to think they can stay the way they are infinitely.

@merseydave1

10 күн бұрын

You are wrong in the context of The Labour Party, they are Nationalists and that is why they do not have or support Labour Party representation in the six counties, The S.D.L.P. is recognized as Labour's sister party in the six counties.

@user-cz4xb9wt4s

7 күн бұрын

As a scot. In ni. I'm all for a all ireland. Hope Scotland gets out union to

@merseydave1

7 күн бұрын

@@user-cz4xb9wt4s I am with you on Ireland's re-unification and you have every right "to hope for Scotland to leave our union of Home Nations" But public opinion to leave in Scotland is lowering and support for The S.N.P. is falling as well.

It's not a "British identity" at all. It has no comprehension or affinity at all in any part of Britain except the West of Scotland. In England, Wales and the rest of Scotland, this sectarian "identity" is something completely foreign and weird. I learned that on moving to England aged 12. "Do you support Rangers of Celtic>" other kids asked. I hesitated and realised they thought these were just football teams. I suppose I could have been evasive and said "Partick Thistle" or something, but I didn't. I said "Celtic" and a great weight of sectarian bullshit and bigotry fell from my shoulders. I have never been tempted to pick up even a scrap of it since, not even back in Scotland. Sex n' drugs n' rock n' roll acted as a further prophylactic (so don't knock it). Thus, I am not now one of the old bigots in black suits and bowler hats up the front or any orange "walk". This might be a disappointment to many long-dead relatives, but not to me. It is my liberation, albeit long ago.

@necaacen

11 күн бұрын

its so true. i honestly think northern irish unionists are among the least culturally british people on the entire island. an average working class person on the streets of manchester to cardif to croydon would probably find much more in common socially and politically with the average irish republican.

As the old saying goes even the dogs in the street know a reunified Ireland is coming, the anti catholic anti Irish doctrine is disappearing (not before time) the British want out and prosperity from a unified Ireland will benefit everyone on the island, Mr Wallace is just saying what 99% of people living here know

Having taken billions for themselves the DUP is where it should be...fucked...what a waste.

The “British identity” that exists in the north is imperialism, colonialism, supremacy, dominance & anti-Irish. Whereas British identity elsewhere in Ireland is just like French, Spanish, Polish or any other nationality living/working in Ireland. There’s a clear distinction & difference between the two. I do not believe that hard-line British people can ever integrate into Irish society. They haven’t integrated over the last 800 years. Why would they integrate now?

@gloin10

11 күн бұрын

@endamck8 "I do not believe that hard-line British people can ever integrate into Irish society. They haven’t integrated over the last 800 years"? The world's longest case of expat refusal to integrate?

@necaacen

11 күн бұрын

i think ironically they are also the least british people on the island of ireland. actual british people who were born on the island of great britain are generally offended by the kind of anti abortion, anti gay marriage, a womans place is to be a wife to her husband kind of attitudes that northern irish unionists tend to promote. actual british people are generally a lot more in line culturally with the average republican political stance, generally quite socialist, socially progressive, love to back the underdog, generally quite sceptical of authoritarianism and religious fundamentalism. its funny when westminster pushes rules on northern ireland its generally against the unionist position and they are the ones who chirp up talking about how their culture and beliefs are not being respected by westminster, essentially admitting that their culture is incompatible with british cultural values.

@gloin10

11 күн бұрын

@@necaacen The things that Orange Loyalists insist on as part of their 'British Identity' either baffle or horrify those British people who actually live on the island of Britain....

@niallodonnell7827

11 күн бұрын

@@necaacen I think that brexit suggests that there are more of the northern type of British people than you might think.

@niallodonnell7827

11 күн бұрын

Two -thirds of them are of Scots Gaelic extraction yet their attitude to the language is just contemptible. The reason they reject it is because it would ,of course, bring them closer to the Irish. It's also possible to imagine that the British identity might very easily be reflected in a united Ireland especially because we share some of that identity ourselves but instead of exploring this they elevate partition to a supreme position so that the only measure of their 'Britishness' is the depth of partition-hence the support for brexit which promised to bring back a hard border and put the Irish back in their place. This is why I feel that the appeasing attitude so prevalent in southern commentators ,though less so among politicians these days, is so misplaced. The DUP way of being British is incompatible with compromise with the Irish and will have to be defeated. It is already being defeated in NI but only time will tell if this is really a process that will lead to unity.

Well said !!

The more different voices that are heard from the DUP the better.

The only intelligent response from DUP I have heard

The one possitve outcome of Brexit!!!!!!

When talking about modern Ireland, one thing that needs to be mentioned was how a Protestant Irish Parliament successfully gained independence for Ireland between 1782 and 1800, during which time Catholics got most of their rights back, with most Irish people of different faiths uniting under the ideologies of either constitutionalism or Republicanism, with both in favour of varying degrees of Irish sovereignty/autonomy and increased personal rights. This independence ended when a failed Republican Revolution in 1798 led British prime minister William Pitt to intimidate and bribe the Irish Parliament into merging the Kingdom Ireland into the UK after an initial Union vote failed. Ireland’s Parliament was forced to merge with The British one (though the courts and civil service of Ireland remained separate, but nominally subject to Westminster from now on). People on both sides seem to have completely forgotten this chapter in Irish history, because Protestants and Catholics fighting together for an independent Irish Kingdom doesn’t fit anyone’s narrative, and yet it had a major impact on the island. Unionism, Republicanism and Constitutionalism all originate from the original Irish volunteers that used the opportunity of the American Revolution distracting Britain to revolt in 1782. This heralded the independence and has shaped all aspects of Irish politics ever since

They have nothing to fear and everything to gain from a United Ireland .

@celticlofts

11 күн бұрын

The people in the republic of Ireland will have the final say as to whether they want a united Ireland or not, they'll be the one's paying for it. There would be a lot of changes in the North too and no more so than in reducing the size of their civil service which accounts for nearly 40% of all employment there. Those kinds of figures would be totally unacceptable post unification and a lot of people will lose their jobs. It's things like that that could decide the future of Northern Ireland.

@Jcolbert123

10 күн бұрын

​@@celticlofts I guarantee the desire to reunite our land and our people will defeat your economic argument. If the people of the North voted for reunification there's no way we would abandon them... again. You use the words "will lose" their jobs instead of "could". We don't know how this will work out because there has been no proper debate; multiple citizens assemblies should be convened to start fleshing out the details of reunification and the ramifications of each decision as can be envisaged.

I would not be surprised to see the DUP in Dublin campaigning for a no-vote come the referendum on the united Ireland

@sockjuice8795

11 күн бұрын

How pray tell, would the population of Dublin react to that? Just sit back and let it happen? Perhaps you don't remember the fracas that the Unionists caused a number of years ago with their 0:02 Union Jack flags on OConnell Street. Just saying.

@Dreyno

11 күн бұрын

I take it you’re not Irish?

@PanglossDr

11 күн бұрын

They are perfectly welcome to do that. They are Irish.

@sockjuice8795

11 күн бұрын

@@PanglossDr they CAN do so. I don't know about the 'welcome' though.

@Bran9

11 күн бұрын

They would be entitled to 😮 do you want a united Ireland or not

Are they finally growing up? It only took 100 years

@davdonoghue

11 күн бұрын

More like 1000 years - they march every year to celebrate battles they "won" in the 16th century 😅😆😂

@AAA-fh5kd

11 күн бұрын

17th century ya eejit. @@davdonoghue

@davdonoghue

11 күн бұрын

@@AAA-fh5kd Ah well that makes it reasonable so

Wallace Thompson is being pragmatic, though he's ploughing a lonely farrow. Many will denounce him as a Lundy.

@MaximilienRobespierre1

12 күн бұрын

Sadly right.

@davdonoghue

11 күн бұрын

Or has been possesed by Satan himself 😂🤣😅

@colmmcdonnell6256

11 күн бұрын

He woke up and smelt the coffee.the decades are actually years .mabey 6 years border poll

A united Ireland. A wonderful idea. Both sides would benifit immensly. If divisions were laid aside...

Onwards and upwards ❤

Westminster betrayed the whole kingdom GE

@ashpash2977

11 күн бұрын

Northern Ireland is just Ireland to people in England .. not sure about Scotland and wales. Westminster didn’t betray anyone. NI was never relevant.. The sooner people see that the better for everyone

If only the Unionists had been on Board with the Irish Government at the time in 1922, Belfast would be the biggest City in Ireland and the major powerhouse, look at Belfast now only 25% the size of the Dublin metropolitan area and depending on handouts from London and nothing but backwater, unlike Global Dublin and Ireland with a massive budget surplus.....so sad..

@martindennehy3030

11 күн бұрын

Too dumb to see what side their bread is buttered on 😢

@celticlofts

11 күн бұрын

Dublin was the Capital of Ireland before partition and would have remained so after 1922 regardless of what happened in the north of Ireland.

Keep up the Great Work Max ❤

There is a huge parallel with what is happening in the mainland of Great Britain, the politicians are refusing or finding it difficult to contradict the Brexit message; both Starmer and Ed Davey refuse to discuss it. What kind of democracy is that?

Thanks Again MaxRob 😇

Afternoon Max and all here

Great commentary

Most unionists are not even nearly close to dealing with what this man is saying.

@celticlofts

11 күн бұрын

I agree. There's always some lonely voice in the crowd and sadly his words are irrelevant in the larger scheme of things.

@KaiColloquoun-gt7kw

11 күн бұрын

And you speak for them?

@aor3220

11 күн бұрын

@@KaiColloquoun-gt7kw speak for them? This man is telling some hard truths to unionists. Most are not listening. And it's not just those who would typically be seen as 'extreme' unionists like the TUV. Even moderate unionists have their heads buried in the sand, seemingly fantasising about converting huge swathes of the Catholic/nationalist population over to being Pro-UK. That shipped sailed 80 years ago.

@eamonryan2198

9 күн бұрын

I imagine that while they may speak openly about unity, they are probably giving it a lot of thought.

When unionist travel London they are considered Irish that just reality. Remember Nothern Ireland is cost the London Government billions every year and probably wish they could put that money into the NHS. Next question is can the Irish government afford the costs associated with unification probably 10 billion a year. The only reason Germany could afford unification is because they were and are still the industrial power house of Europe. If Irish unification happens there will have to be a unification levy on financial transaction. I'm sure somr funding would be forthcoming from Brussels & USA in form of soft loans etc.

@Jan-se1nd

11 күн бұрын

The economic cost is temporary. The real problem in Germany is the continued discrimination of the 'osties'. Avoid that and you've got a win.

@klausschumacher7126

11 күн бұрын

The real problem in the eastern states of Germany is that they had to give up the political system of State Communism and most of the people were not capable of making their own decisions. It was in their blood that the government always decided what to do. The results were that they started whining and complaining and now after almost 36 years they are still dreaming to go back.That's why the AFD is so strong in the East. I grew up in West Germany and left Germany for good 1989 to Asia. It's annoying to watch how the local CDU government in Saxony is doing nothing to stop the growth of the extreme right wing AFD.

@Bran9

11 күн бұрын

The British would have to keep the current subvention going for at least 25 years so as to assist in the process, simple

@necaacen

11 күн бұрын

i think it wont even be a case of the republic of ireland having to somehow pay the bit the uk is paying for. i think the republic of ireland as it is will cease to exist just like northern ireland will and an entirely new country will be formed, new government, new anthem, new flag, new mission statement, laws, the full works. from what i have heard from the main parties in the south that is their vision for the thing, a completely new country designed around all the different cultures that exist there.

The old "Home Rule is Rome Rule" argument is long redundant. The Catholic church no longer dictates government policy, but unionist backwoodsmen still cling to that tired old line, such is their hatred of all things Irish.

@richardjakobek7477

11 күн бұрын

I think we can thank Father Ted for popping the Pope’s bubble.

Eire was a Catholic stronghold that had suffered a lot and protestants were afraid of the republic, which they despised. Now a century later, things have changed so much that they should leave their fear and prejudice should be left behind.

@richardmoloney689

9 күн бұрын

Nearly right. It's Éire, not Eire.

There is one thing that just can’t be ignored. Nobody in Britain knows much about NI and they care even less. What is there that unionists are holding onto? It seems to be a rose tinted view of a golden age that disappeared over 100 years ago. I think even they must know that Britain would cut NI loose in a second if the opportunity arose. Trying to cling onto to something like that just means that NI and the people there can never achieve their full potential. It’s not that people in Britain are bad people. It’s just that they are on a different island with no affinity to the north and why would they have?

Hope he isn't forced by some rough men to go for a wee ride in the boot of a car nigh

Look! The great great great grandson of a soldier sent to destroy a nation and left to usurp it.

Ian Paisley approves this message. A strong, independent Ireland that protects Ireland is God's will.

@batcollins3714

9 күн бұрын

Your god has no say in what Ireland does. Religion, especially Catholicism has been the greatest curse this island and its people has had to endure. Magdalene Laundries, forced adoption for profit by Parish priests, sex crimes against children and more. The list could go on so leave your so called God out of our country and politics. We are heartily sick of it.

Good a United Ireland an independent scotland alba shaor 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the union is dead

@lasrachtech.1341

12 күн бұрын

Love seeing bits of Scot’s Gaelic that i can understand from speaking Gaeilge 🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@Tourist1967

11 күн бұрын

The bad news is, you're getting the Scots plantation back. There'll be a welcome in the hillsides, I'm sure. And lots of clubs they can join.

A federal Ireland is the new constitutional arrangement. Accelerated by Brexit. For the Uk, the physical separation of Northern Ireland from the island of Britain makes it culturally remote from the UK. It will have some potential downsides, but losing things like the currency and common travel area are relatively small beer for most people living in the North.

Correct Correct Correct

Arlene Foster will have to go back.

@walterrudich2175

11 күн бұрын

Of course. She said that she didn’t want to live in a united Ireland. She’s free to go wherever she wants - except the EU

@ClannCholmain

11 күн бұрын

@@walterrudich2175 Ireland is supposed to be a British island according to her, turns out it’s not British enough after all.

@clario2178

11 күн бұрын

Arlene can leave she is a Souper anyway ,not a proper Prod .

@gloin10

11 күн бұрын

She's living in London now, is she not? She's got a regular gig on GBNonsense.... She has stated that she would move to Britain in the event of Irish unification anyway.

@willc1294

11 күн бұрын

@gloin10 every Unionists dream is to live in the heart of pax Britannia

Long love the Irish Republic. Cheers from Spain.

@richardmoloney689

9 күн бұрын

Is it not UK?

Thank you.

"A new Ireland"? Surely he means "old Ireland", the way it was before British colonialism.

@vinylrulesok8470

12 күн бұрын

That is the kind of rhetoric which won't help, regardless of whether it's true

@gurditrehal3348

12 күн бұрын

I don't think Ireland was ever fully united before the British arrived. As far as I am aware, the island of Ireland was divided into different kingdoms at the time the British started taking it over. Whenever Northern Ireland decides to the leave the UK and form a United Ireland, that would be the first ever time the entire island was a single entity and independent of Britain.

@willc1294

12 күн бұрын

Sorry, no one here wants to return to iron age gaelic system of petty kingdoms with brehon law. That's ancient history now

@ClannCholmain

12 күн бұрын

@@leeo5443completely untrue.

@talisenamell

12 күн бұрын

So a patchwork of petty kingdoms and chiefs?

Thumbs up.

I worry that they’ll bring their selfishness, bloody mindedness and intransigents to an Irish Republic that has done extremely well without them.

@TheM41a

11 күн бұрын

It's comments like this that just give them another reason not to want a united Ireland. There was a time you could say the exact same thing about the Irish republic btw.

Leading loyalist politicians need to temper there language and stop the pointless abuse and cheap point scoring,and realise we are all equal

Talking decades I think falls into the category of wishful thinking. It's going to happen sooner than he thinks.

@KaiColloquoun-gt7kw

11 күн бұрын

He has to use that language.

Look at any 32 County org, i.e. the Irish Rugby Squad for instance, how well do they measure up against the rest of the planet. Can you imagine if we pool our resources in other areas this little country of ours could be something else entirely massive. All we have to do is drop our 'shoulder chips'.Forgive our past transgressions and move on together, my God the world would tremble with envy.

@gloin10

11 күн бұрын

@GiTSUM There is a body of research, accumulated over more than thirty years, done by the European Studies Department of the University of British Columbia, about the implications of Irish unification. Among other things, it points to a post-Unification dividend of €30-35 BILLION boost in overall GDP after 10-15 years..

Never ever again lose your identity for anyone wether your irish british republican unionist loyalist. The most meaningful comment i read here is from the person who said put flesh on the bones of what a united ireland will look like 😢

The UK as a union in the present day offers no real benefit to any country within it especially England. Time to move on and apparently acceot the inevitable. Economics tend to drive realities home.

@taintabird23

11 күн бұрын

That's how I see unity coming about - the English calling time on the union.

Had Unionism in NI been more moderate, fair & inclusive, decades ago, then our hero here would be correct in saying he believes the new arrangement to be decades down the road.

When it happens (I predict 2030 at the latest) it would be in a unified Ireland’s best interest to “protect” the “Britishness” of unionist, and once N.Ireland leaves the Union it collapses imo

@Tourist1967

11 күн бұрын

The union would survive the loss of NI. Not particularly important. A united Ireland would be popular internationally. The loss of Scotland, however, would be a catastrophic economic, cultural, strategic and political blow which would reduce the rump of the UK to failed state status.

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

​@@Tourist1967haha. You hate the UK hu.

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

It's not going to happen.

@Tourist1967

11 күн бұрын

@@Nicksexploring Why would you say that? It is clear that Scotland will exit the UK at the next opportunity. Like Brexit, older people swung the vote. About 25 per cent of those who voted to leave the EU have since died, for example. I have offered no opinion on the desirability, or otherwise, of the UK's dissolution. Merely stated the likely results.

@Hello-hellowearethebillyboys

9 күн бұрын

Why don’t both British and Irish accept that both countries are finished be it a united ireland or an independent Scotland or even if the 2 islands became a whole one their done. Both our governments have sold us out of that there’s no doubt. Republicans celebrating a United ireland will be short lived unfortunately. You just have to have a look around you and see it’s done. They want an Islamic state and that’s where we’re headed.

It's only a matter of time, not if, but when.

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

Never

I think a united Ireland will come before Scottish independence. I don’t think Westminster cares about N.I. to stop reunification. Whereas Scotland has a media war taking place. Also, I think England views Britain as English.

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

Scottish independence is dead.

William Thompson Leading From the Front I Can Respect his Identity Absolutely William Thompson is Willing to Respect Irishness No one Should have to Lose Their Identity and The Good Friday Agreement 🤝 Protects the British And Irish Identity Identity is In your Heart No Government Arrangement Can Take It Away It Reality

UK of GB and NI: *Cringe* United Republic of Ireland: *Based* Republic of Ireland, Republic of Scotland, Republic of Wales and Republic of England eventually as constitutent members of a Democratic European Federation: *Extremely Gigachad based*

Sad thing is, the anti voices are often far louder than the pro voices, he may have the right ideas, but the antis will shout him down like a gang of football hooligans trashing a statue...

One Ireland.

The language, identity, religion and heritage of the Ulster Scots will be well protected under Eu law like any other minority within the EU. The only difference will be that the Unionists are obsolet.

@clarecrawford9677

11 күн бұрын

My fear is that many Ulster Scots will move to Scotland and stymie Scottish independence.

NI is taking much less of a leap joining in a united Ireland than Scotland is going on it's own! One means necessary engagement the other is a promontory idealism!

Wise words!

I can't see it myself if Northern Ireland leaves the unioun there'll be no need for the CTA. Ireland would probably want that to stop the illegal immigrants travelling from GB. It could then join the Schengen area and be more aligned with its own unioun the EU. If Scotland got independence the EU wouldn't want an open border with England. Labour might do well in the GE in Scotland

Everyone born on the Island of Ireland is classed as Irish in England, and Everywhere else too, No matter what passport a person has, ,Most English, Scottish and Welsh people agree with a United Ireland........

@anthonyduffy1278

11 күн бұрын

The Northern Irish”Prod” to the typical Englishman is just a “Paddy”. I am of Irish decent born in England and have experienced this attitude many times. The interesting thing I have also seen, is that both Irish Protestants and Catholics band together in England without issue. I’ve watched All Ireland finals with lads with King Billy tattoos on their arms and Tyrone shirts on their backs😂😂🤣 It’s a funny old world folks….

@Nicksexploring

11 күн бұрын

Most want the UK.

Time heals all wounds 💚💯

About time

This is why EU membership solved the problem. With freedom of movement people in NI could be Irish or British or Ulster. Perfect

Bloody hell, who'd have thought.

I believe in a UNITED Ireland, in both senses of the word, that is forward thinking and is not haunted by old historical gudges! 😅

I wonder if he told Sammy Wilson yet or has his big red burst already

@clario2178

11 күн бұрын

Is he still on holiday in Ireland 😂😂

@tonydalton459

11 күн бұрын

@@clario2178One of my favourite Ali G questions ever -is you ‘ere on ‘oliday? 😂😂😂 poor Sammy not blessed with a sense of humour 😊

Sadly i think everyone will just put their head in the sand and then feel forced to change to a united ireland. This will lead to resentment in the north for the south.

Two Simple Words ... Pragmatic Realism !

Per capita GDP of RoI is $103k. Per capita GDP of NI is $34k. NI should be sprinting towards unification.

@Erm-rn2by

11 күн бұрын

@DD-sr9xm, Those numbers aren’t accurate as they appear. On paper it may seem that way but trust me most people in ROI aren’t that well off. There is significant wealth disparity, which doesn’t show on the GDP per capita.

I reckon a united island of Ireland is inevitable. The innertia is with the break up of the UK. Look across the spectrum of politicians coming through. As far as the eye can see, there just isn't anybody that can keep a UK together. When politics became a career path, it was 'game over' for a UK, and indeed, for democracy.

Let’s forget the word”united”, whether it be “Kingdom” or “Ireland”. Envision a new polity! “United” is fine for a city’s football team ( okay, maybe not Glasgow’s)

I agree it is very significant. Do like the term 'New Ireland' in this context, perhaps not as sectarian as 'United Ireland '. Let's hope our Republican politicians (especially) in Ireland also 'reach out' with on openness to 'new constitutional arrangements ' rather than an insistance on absorption into the current Republic of Ireland arrangements. A sustainable United or New Ireland cannot be about a 'victory' of one side over another. Has some similarities to the South African example in the 1990's, though thankfully with a peace agreement already in place. I'm a born and bred Irish citizen living in the Republic of Ireland, so am well used to our current arrangements, but hope the majority of people like me appreciate that certain changes are needed to encourage our unionist friends to throw their lot in with us in a United or New Ireland.

Never, Never, Never!

If Brexit hadn't happened this wouldn't be an issue, because we were part of a bigger entity.

The game is over when Sinn Fein are the majority government party in both the North and the South.

@anthonyduffy1278

11 күн бұрын

@vect As a former SinnFein supporter, let me make a little prediction. Sinn Féin’s promotion of open door immigration into Ireland, is a massive own goal. And will show at the ballot box….

I propose a Federalist arrangement with a new constitution, that guarantees NI six counties a generous degree of autonomy. Now if that doesn't wet Unionist appetites ?

@ciaranbrk

8 күн бұрын

Very pragmatic

I struggle with term “British Identity” if the union ceases to exist. Anyways, any change has to be inclusive, financially viable and a trigger of social progress (health, jobs, education, etc). This is where the EU can act as a catalyst.

The Irish government needs to be welcoming and start taking steps now to make the transition less traumatic.

@eoinj3929

12 күн бұрын

They have. Are you not aware of the Irish government paying for student erasmous, hospital wards and new motorways in NI. There is a long list of projects paid by ROI for the people of NI.

@willc1294

11 күн бұрын

Red postboxes must be fast tracked

@jhc839

11 күн бұрын

@@eoinj3929 no, actually I wasn't aware of that. I was thinking more about being emotionally welcoming . My observation is that a little work in that area could work wonders. There can be nothing more isolating than the idea you are about to be subsumed by a "hostile" majority.

@nreddington1857

11 күн бұрын

​@jhc839 we won't be waving no butcher Aprin

@jhc839

11 күн бұрын

@@nreddington1857 crap, now I have to find someone to explain that to me. Too long gone😃

Well I, "Never! Never! Never! But then Paisley & most of the DUP finally saw the writing on the wall and the rest, as they say, is (Power Sharing) history. Maybe not a "United Ireland" but rather a United Peoples of Ireland?

Max, Eire has said they cannot afford an United Ireland.

@taintabird23

11 күн бұрын

Yes, according to a recent report, that is heavily based on assumptions. There are other reports by economists and political scientists that say it is doable. The Irish government have not commented on whether is can be afforded or not, because the situation has not arisen. However, Ireland is running a budget surplus in recent years, so could probably have afforded it in recent years.