We need a discussion on a border poll

“The arguments against it are strong – that it will be destabilising. But there are also arguments in favour that should at least be discussed.”

I couldn’t agree more. With a unionist majority no longer the case in Stormont, not to mention Brexit, a discussion on Irish unity is increasingly becoming the elephant within the room.

This is something we should be able to do, minus the threat of violence and civil disobedience.

Would it work? Is it actually tenable? We don’t know for certain without dialogue on the matter. If unionists are so confident that the Union is secure, what have they got to fear?

Its ironic that some senior figures within unionism have lately been compared to dinosaurs for their conversative views as said animals are extinct.

The Union as we know it, I feel, is endangered and a conversation now needs to be had about its relevance in both Northern Ireland and throughout the British Isles. What does it mean in 2017 to its inhabitants? How can we make it work together?

Whilst nationalists would inevitably make their case for a border poll, we also need to see what “equality” and “respect”, as frequently trumped throughout the campaign, would mean between each community represented in NI.

And, whilst Mike Nesbitt may have unwittingly written his UUP leadership resignation letter by referring to transferring between designations, I believe he was on to something: the need for a will between each community to harmonise.

Are we willing to face up to this elephant and avoid the mastadon?

Dan Wray, Glasgow (formerly Belfast)