Letter: There nothing to fear - a strong unionist can win the argument every time on why Northern Ireland is better off in the UK

I am encouraged that Jon Burrows has this week called out Michelle O’Neill to a debate on the actual question of if Northern Ireland is better off in the United Kingdom or a united Ireland.

It’s odd to think about, but I don't know if I have seen much of it as an actual major debate in our politics.

We dance around it, with political proxy wars that are adjacent, such as health, or security, or protocols, or frameworks.

But I think I saw more debate on the actual "fors" and "againsts" of either union when I was at university.

In fact, it was when Burrows last took the same initiative, back in October last year, against the SDLP’s Matthew O’Toole, to make the case for the United Kingdom, that I had to reflect on if I was ready to have that debate at a moment's notice.

I think, as unionists, we can grow complacent and have some internal satisfaction that “Northern Ireland is better as British, and that’s a fact”.

But, while I do think that is true, keeping it to ourselves wins us nothing.

Confident unionism should never miss an opportunity to be able to espouse the benefits of the UK, and it also shouldn’t be worried about those ideas holding up to scrutiny.

I think it would be refreshing, for all sides, to see political leaders make the case plainly, in a forum which allows cross-examination. I also believe that a strong unionist can win that argument every time, so it should be the last thing we fear.

I hope very deeply that Jon Burrows’ challenge is met by Michelle O’Neill. If it isn't, maybe she's just not as confident about a united Ireland as she lets on?

Ben Sharkey, Belfast