Unionists should not use positive phrases such as ‘Irish unity’ which present destruction of UK in positive terms

It is interesting to note the new language that nationalists are adopting in their efforts to repackage the age-old demand for what used to be referred to as a ‘united Ireland’.

By The Newsroom

Published 13th Feb 2020, 12:00 BST

Updated 13th Feb 2020, 18:45 BST

Recent years have seen terms such as ‘reunification’, ‘new Ireland’, ‘Irish unity’, and even simply ‘unity’ used.

These are terms deliberately selected to present the proposed destruction of the United Kingdom in positive terms.

Yet, disturbingly, it would appear that many unionist politicians and commentators are also adopting this positive terminology. Alex Kane now regularly refers to ‘Irish unity’, and it is even making its way into News Letter opinion pieces.

I have even heard Jim Allister use the term.

For unionists, a ‘united Ireland’ would not be unity: it would be the opposite. It would be the break-up of their country: the UK. The clue is in the name: unionist.

Unionists should be more careful in their use of language and avoid assisting nationalists in portraying in positive terms what would be a calamitous outcome.

J. Martin, Belfast