Unity can't always be Sinn Féin's project as there are many unionists who will simply never warm to the idea if it's associated exclusively with Sinn Féin
There are many Unionists who'll never warm regardless of who its associated with. Which is just another reason for others not to associate, just as they've not done consistently since 1925.
Most Political parties and public opinion in the South aren't interested in Irish Unity (or taking on an extra 40% largely disaffected population as I tend to call it). But as you say, even the minority that does take the idea seriously has done little to achieve. it. A 30 year 'war' clearly seen as unwinnable well within 30 months, and since then variants of the discredited 'tick tock' theory. Nationalist vote share and turnout have been falling steadily, the Census and other major opinion surveys show many 'Nationalist' voters identifying as 'Northern Irish'. Catholic Churches supposedly providing the new young majority rarely see anyone under 50. And so on
We've discussed on here many times that basically nothing has been done to 'sell' a UI to Unionists. Now that Farage and co. have wrongfooted the entire British political system you have an opportunity, true. Maybe it'll be to do more than just parrot his slogans about wanting the country back?
What is it about Mayo people? While in Lyon recently we visited the tourist office to find a woman from Castlebar efficiently directing the Green and White Army to dodgy banlieue motels*, bars, cafes, WW1 historical sites and the rest. But I digress.
* ours turned out to be round the corner from disgraced Benzema's parents' house. They refused his offer to move to a mansion in the countryside
You have it half right. There's been a huge change in one attitude which hasn't been specifically measured since the 70s (ie support for leavig Europe); it doesn't follow that change in another (leaving Britain) can be assumed before another election. About 3% in say Dundonald or Holywood voted Nationalist less than two months ago: it would be fanciful to assume that's suddenly going to surge to 50%+1...
Indeed. That change needs to be tested electorally. You can't rely on mere opinion polls, they're currently near worthless over here. If the new strength of feeling is genuine you can wait a year or two until the next NI election. Maybe less if he new Tory leader fancies (probably) her chances.
Had an interesting chat about this to some Polish yuppies in Nice (we avoided Ma Nolan's for a restaurant round the corner). When the waiter arrived with a tray of beers, they demurred. “Could we have the wine list please?” They felt the NI Polish community might react to Brexit by moving South.
FF and FG wanted a symbolic 'win' with any likelihood of real change kicked into long grass. SF and SDLP were happy with just the symbolism.
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