Unionists should not join discussions about destroying the UK

She has urged unionists to do the same, and points out that conversations will be taking place whether unionists are involved or not.

It is not an unreasonable assessment of where things are. Influential voices in nationalist Ireland, including Dublin, are re-appraising the 1998 Belfast Agreement amid Brexit. They do not want to amend it in favour of unionism.

Numerous unionists have got involved in discussions about a so-called ‘New Ireland’. They have done so on a number of grounds, including politeness. But this is a conversation of which they need to be very wary indeed.

Alliance has every right to be ‘agnostic’ on the Union. If, for example, it at a future date came down in favour of a 32-county republic, then it could present that case to the electorate. Some of its softer voters might get a shock.

But politicians who are emphatic in their unionism can quickly become useful fodder in such debates. After all, who would expect nationalists to discuss playing their part in a ‘new UK’ and then to jettison their nationalism?

Unionism must not only avoid these seductive discussions using agreeable terms which create a sense of inevitability about a united Ireland, but they should use their own phrases such as ‘destruction of the UK’.

Not only that but they must start working on arguments for the Union that go beyond money.