Two nationalist parties that topped the European polls in their respective constituencies (at least in the UK context)- the SNP by Richard Thomson, soon-to-be SNP MP for Gordon,and Sean Oliver, Sinn Fein’s Director of European Affairs - were represented, along with John Osmond on behalf of Plaid.
As well as asking Sean about the timing of the first referendum on Irish unity as set out in the Belfast Agreement - adding the numbers up from the Euro elections shows how close the nationalist and unionist communities are in the North of Ireland now to parity -
Unfortunately Adam hasn't shared with us Mr Oliver's response to the referendum query, I wonder why. Unlike their nationalist peers in Scotland and Wales, both Sinn Fein and the SDLP have been remarkably quiet on this question which is curious because, as Price points out, there's not that a big a difference in numbers actually voting for pro-Union and those voting for the Irish nationalist alternatives. Perhaps it's easier (and financially more profitable) waxing lyrical to The Converted rather than building up a solid, logical and objective argument at home?
Update 18/06
Via Email I now know Sean's reply!
His argument is that SF need only to win over about 10,000 Unionists in order to achieve Irish unity. "If they didn't get it first time they get it some time."
Couple of points here:
1. If they geniunely believe it's that close, why aren't they pressing internally within NI for a referendum?
2.The ROI now also has a veto on unity and might use it. SF's job of persuasion in the ROI may be as difficult as the one in Northern Ireland.
1 comment:
Anyone who thinks that the ROI government are really keen for unification is deluded. They must look at the recent experience of the UK government, the potential cost and the potential for significant internal disaffection and shudder. The reason SF/SDLP aren't pushing for any sort of referendum is because they know that the slamming of the unification door by the ROI government would mean an end to the peace process (and therefore power) and doubts being cast over the whole future of their respective political movements.
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