IT’s two years since a broad range of people from across civic nationalism in the north first came together amid concern that their rights as Irish and European citizens were being eroded by Brexit – a process being imposed against their will. Initially, 200 people wrote to Leo Varadkar, urging him to protect their interests.
Since that initial letter in late 2017, the conversation among civic nationalism has broadened, reflecting a context of continued instability and a growing belief that Irish unity is now an achievable goal. There’s been input into the conversation from academics, politicians, campaigners and trades unionists, among others.
The momentum has been maintained with a further letter, signed by 1,000 people, coinciding with last January’s hugely successful Beyond Brexit event at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, plus a similar gathering in Newry in May.
The letter to the taoiseach published today is the latest step for the groundswell movement known as Ireland’s Future. It signals a switch in emphasis and ambition for the campaign, taking its message across the island and into the diaspora.
The breadth of support for the latest letter demonstrates that Irish unity is increasingly part the mainstream political agenda, not just in the north but across Ireland. As well as reminding the taoiseach of his continued responsibilities to Irish citizens north of the border, it urges the Dublin government to take an active role in the conversation about how unity can be achieved and what a unified Ireland might look like.
Signatories such as commentator Fintan O’Toole, economist David McWilliams and businessman David Gavaghan bring gravitas to the debate and show that discussions about a new Ireland are no longer peripheral.
Acknowledging how the issues of abortion reform and same-sex marriage took huge steps forward on the back of discussions in the Republic’s Citizens Assembly, the letter urges the Dublin government to initiate a similar forum to address the issue of creating a new, agreed Ireland.
Given Leo Varadkar and his deputy Simon Coveney’s professed desire to see Ireland united, it’s difficult to see how they could resist such a reasonable and sensible approach.
Over to you Dublin…
