John Taylor: Unionists need to be prepared for a united Ireland, which I think is very possible
A letter from Lord Kilclooney (the former MLA, MP and MEP John Taylor):
With regard to the story about Dr Esmond Birnie responding to my comments on a united Ireland (‘Former UUP MLA rounds on Lord Kilclooney's prediction that 'united Ireland is coming - unionism will not survive,’ March 2):
For there ever to be a united Ireland, not only must unionists be prepared and not simply respond with violence, in addition united Irelanders will have to change and accept that any united Ireland will not be as they presently imagine. Otherwise, they will stop a possible united Ireland.
There are factors which imply a possible united Ireland:
1. English society has major changes and no longer does Great Britain want Northern Ireland to be in the UK;
2. In Northern Ireland the higher birth rate by Irish Catholics – now in decline – has meant that today the number in support of a united Ireland or staying in the United Kingdom is equal and so the balance of power with regard to the constitutional future of Northern Ireland is now with the new immigrant arrivals. Both the Ulster Unionist Party and DUP boycott community meetings held by immigrants but both SDLP and Alliance attend. Are immigrants likely to vote for a united Ireland or to stay in the United Kingdom?
3. Religion on the island of Ireland – both north and south – is in decline.
So Dr Birnie says there is “no basis” for my claim about a united Ireland. Unionists avoid facts at a cost!
Lord Kilclooney (John Taylor), Ex deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, MP, MEP, Armagh