Is Brexit threatening peace in Northern Ireland? | DW News

[@shutup2751]

as an irish person i can understand the concerns many working class britons had with the EU, however at the same time i think they were also sold false promises by certain british politicians

[@ketchup2147]

My thoughts said out out loud

[@mallardofmodernia8092]

Yh the eu is corrupt and brokenly elitist and needs reform but such reform cannot be affected from the outside.

[@JW-YT]

The promise was we'd limit mass migration by limiting it to tens of thousands a year instead of hundreds of thousands and illegal migration all together. And now they have the ability to do it they still dont.

[@williambuchanan8607]

It was being able to separate between who where the bigger liars Brussels or Westminster !!

[@boarfaceswinejaw4516]

yeah, concerns like: being able to live and work somewhere outside of britain freely.

[@ValensBellator]

It’s almost tragically comical how foolish Brexit turned out to be, but there’s an entire section of the population too embarrassed to admit it.

[@tomlxyz]

Not the whole population was for it

[@cueball6969]

Not really lol

[@Christmas12]

Should never have allowed such an important decision to be made on the basis of a simple majority vote (especially when you can't be sure of or guarantee high voter turnout) too much uncertainty

[@First-Last_name]

Thank Neigle Farage and his buss of lies across the UK. Brought to you by russian money 💰

[@hangender]

Brits are too proud to admit their mistakes, unfortunately. But Irish are pretty proud too, to be fair

[@Trendkilla]

I would get the devotion if the English hadn't proven how little they care for Northern Ireland and it's interests. Seems more like a rock in their Brexit shoe.

[@duckcensorship7446]

They can have full independence or choose to join the Republic of Ireland, but so far the politcal will is not there yet!

[@stiofain88]

It's actually one of the reasons why I know loyalists are actually Irish and not "British". We're loyal af to whoever is a friend. In Nationalists case it's the Americans and Europeans and in Unionists case it was Great Britain.

[@IrishBoyASMR]

​@@duckcensorship7446 are you thick? Spouting lies on social media. The occupied counties cannot be independent! 1. It would be partition all over again and 2. It is not enshrined in the GFA

[@1346crecy]

So the UK Government employing more than half the working population in the North is not caring?

[@LindaAndrews-ly1qf]

@@stiofain88 america was founded by the British not the Irish

[@aaronuaconaill5688]

I feel like Germans are permanently confused regarding Northern Ireland, because there were wars in the past between German Catholics and German Protestants. As an Ulsterman myself, I can tell you that the situation in Northern Ireland is very different to anything in Germany. This is, and always has been a question of nationality,; between people who identify as Irish and people who identify as British. When the Ulster Plantation began in the 1600s, the Irish natives and the Anglo-Scotish planters were as culturally and linguistically foreign from each other as, say, Belarus and France are today. It just so happens that most of those who identify as Irish are Catholic and most who identify as British are Protestant. There are reasons for it, of course, but the core issue is nationality. It is very important to understand that some of the Ireland's greatest Republicans and Nationalists were Protestants, take Theobald Wolfe Tone for example! Hope that clears some things up.

[@aaronuaconaill5688]

I just watched some more of the video. I mean, you should be able to see it yourselves. Ask yourselves how a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, or a new border down the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and Britain would affect somebody's religion... It clearly doesn't. What it does affect, is their national identity. An Irishman doesn't want to feel cut off from the rest of Ireland and someone identifying as British doesn't want to be cut off from Britain! It's pretty obvious. Hopefully less sectarian reports from DW are to follow!

[@aaronuaconaill5688]

And to prove the point, the people themselves only refer to nationality, not religion: 8:45 - 9:20.

[@IrishBoyASMR]

​@@aaronuaconaill5688 the British brought the war to Ireland and they also created Brexit... All problems are British-made problems.

[@martavdz4972]

I´m Czech, which is right next to Germany. I can at least reassure you that people here hear "Irish" when the reporter says "Catholic". We understand that Catholic basically stands for "Irish" and "Protestant" basically stands for "English". Not everyone here, of course, but it´s pretty general knowledge. We were taught at school that in this region, these terms are more or less interchangeable.

[@morten3465]

​​@@aaronuaconaill5688rish and Scots are both celtic cultures, Anglo-Saxon is a mix of germanic cultures (from Anglia and Saxony). For 300-400 years, rulers of England spoke French or Scandinavian languages. Northern Europe is a huge melting pot, historically, and that includes the British Isles. But somehow, you want me to believe there is a special difference in nationality and heritage (but not religion) that makes people from two parts of Ireland murder each other if they have to live in one country, but not two parts of Denmark or two parts or Belgium?

[@bernardomontell873]

Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving.

[@gabrielfeuning1658]

Keeps on taking u mean

[@bernardomontell873]

@@gabrielfeuning1658 LOL 😆 I was thinking on the line of GIVING problems.

[@gabrielfeuning1658]

@@bernardomontell873 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂looool

[@vatsmith8759]

Remoaners, the moaners who keep on moaning.

[@MrGamerxpert]

@@vatsmith8759 I love brexiteers that live in their own world of fairies and rainbows

[@brendanoconnor9196]

Please stop saying that it is basically the catholics vs the protestants. It is not a religious war, it's far more based on whether you are Irish or British alongside your cultural background. The religious labeling is just another way of identifying a person's background, but as a result, it casts a bad light on religion itself.

[@00nigirimeshi]

In this report they clearly say they use this as an indicator as to where the people stand nationallity wise, since they have data for that

[@markonikolic7957]

Yes but religion is one of the biggest sources of this conflict isn’t it? It pretty much is about the religion it always is.

[@brendanoconnor9196]

@@markonikolic7957 I disagree, religion itself is not the problem, it's when people misuse religious teaching for their own agenda. Even so called religious war's are really more about politics than the actual religions teaching.

[@brendanoconnor9196]

@@00nigirimeshi There certainly is data on who identifys as Irish and who identifys as British, within Northern Ireland. But the media wants to shy away from saying that it is basically the Irish vs the English. So they slap religious labels on the people instead. In truth, it has nothing got to do with religious beliefs.

[@cianwright212]

​@@markonikolic7957 nothing to do with religion, it's to do with whether you see yourself as Irish or British. That tends to be either Catholic or Protestant respectively but it's nothing to do with religious differences, it's more historical identity. They aren't fighting over different religious views at all.

[@davidhall7744]

Boris Johnson literally drove a big red bus through the Good Friday Agreement, but then again, thats probably why the DUP supported Brexit.

[@martindennehy3030]

Of course it is, but it backfired on them.

[@mistervo8185]

If you don't want to be Irish, don't live in places with Ireland in its name.

[@gary637]

They are Northern Irish, the clue is in the name of the country. I suppose South Koreans are Communists by your logic?

[@stiofain88]

​@@gary637 What country? It's an illegally annexed territory which had to be ceded so you would stop murdering each other and technically described as a statelet or just territory.

[@BrokenHill56]

You could say of course: If you don't want to be German, don't live in places with Germany in its name. Complete nonsense of course and betrays a lack of understanding of the dynamics on the nation state and civil society over a long historical period.

[@Robespierre-lI]

Haha. That's a little naive. We don't develop our concepts of national identity through legal placenames alone. Did you know that there are Hungarians in Slovakia and Germans in Italy?

[@mistervo8185]

@@Robespierre-lI those Hungarians are classify as immigrants then.

[@alien4422]

Give it back to Ireland. Problem solved. I say that as a proud Englishman who wonders why we are still there?

[@BreadAccountant]

It's a mess. If only the Ulster plantation never took place

[@SK-qe9br]

Unfortunately Northern Ireland is doomed, if England gave us back the north all of the unionists will start rioting. Stuck between a rock and a hard place

[@chrisklitou7573]

Because there's people there that want to stay in the UK

[@god6384]

@@chrisklitou7573 then they can move into the UK??? It's actually a simple concept. You can apply the same with Ukraine. There are Russians there who want to be with Russia but live in Ukraine. Then just move those people to Russia. I mean Russia is big enough .....

[@chrisklitou7573]

@@god6384 you need to learn the difference between ethnicity and nationality Russians in Ukraine are ethnically Russian but not Russian themselves People in Northern Ireland are ethnically Irish but are British

[@flemlion13]

The fact that 25 years on the 'peace walls' are still there demonstrates the Westminster failure on making any real progress

[@jimwoods293]

Its not westminster its us. Why do we support sectarian parties

[@jimwoods293]

@BigAveBluegrxmeyl60c who said sinn fein were sectarian?

[@argiberico]

It isn't solely about you. What have Dublin/Rep. of Ireland done to soothe things up north? Are they playing the 'it isn't with us card'? Do THEY see northern Irish as folks of theirs living elsewhere or just another bitter Brit? Easy to wash their hands now 💁‍♂

[@darkgalaxy5548]

​@BigAveBluegrxmeyl60c The other side being Unionists?

[@royalty_rng656]

it stakes two to come to an agreement ...

[@marklapena854]

Again, this was mentioned before the referendum, but the Brexiteers dismissed it as Project Fear.

[@nigeljohnson9820]

The problems of NI was no reason to stop brexit.

[@abigailcollins8443]

​@Nigel Johnson there were reasons but they all got called fearmongering, or handwaved as non-issues....

[@davidrenton]

no it was because of the EU pettiness, acting like a jilted lover. None of the lies peddled by the remain side came to fruition. If we believed them, we would be having daily riots, mass starvation and the city of london would be decimated, none of that happened. the UK took the lead in the Ukraine where the EU did'nt.The UK took the lead in vaccine development for COVID, where the EU didn't and said we would be back of the queue. As time goes on and the separation is more complete, the UK will flourish, while the EU is torn apart by it's many structural, unsolvable issues.

[@nigeljohnson9820]

@@abigailcollins8443 the uk had the right to leave the eu, and exercised it.

[@BreadAccountant]

@@nigeljohnson9820 but why when they knew that it was going to be disastrous to Northern Ireland? It hasn't helped the UK at all to be separated from EU

[@SolidusSnapes]

Unite Ireland and be done with it.

[@cueball6969]

IF the people want it There will be no other way

[@nvelsen1975]

Yes, American catholics like you would want to force that onto people, wouldn't you?

[@SolidusSnapes]

@@nvelsen1975 American Catholics? I live in Newry ffs.

[@nvelsen1975]

@@SolidusSnapes Sure you do Greg, just like all the others LARPing being Irish, from the US.

[@jayhill2193]

@@nvelsen1975 I find it hysterical how people always assume the oppositional voice from the internet has to be from the US. You hear it from Russians, Chinese, Indians and now apparently from Northern Irish. This is a German news channel with a world-wide audience, fyi.

[@johntheball]

Born in Ireland but says" we're not Irish" ...height of delusion.

[@nickt2822]

nationalities and states are a delusion anyway.

[@josephshields2922]

That is what imperialism does to people/ It takes away their identity.

[@IrishBoyASMR]

​@@josephshields2922 they're Planters though... that colonial mindset has never left them.

[@kevonslims7269]

@@josephshields2922 My parents were born in the Turks and Caicos islands, I was born in the Bahamas, the Bahamian government considers me British hence I travel with a British over seas territory passport. Like you said imperialism..

[@Frank75288]

born in northern ireland

[@noelryan6341]

The last all of Ireland general election December 1918 voted overwhelmingly for Independence, but what they got was a skewed, gerrymandered partition. That's the real source of the problem, an open, festering sore!

[@袁大陸]

British Empire seized Northern Ireland from Ireland, If UK wanting to achieve peace must make some sacrifices.

[@valerieh84]

No, that is not the way it went. The Normans from England and Wales started the colonisation in 1169 with a view to conquering the entire island. They gradually developed their culture into Englishness and later Britishness. The Union of Ireland with England officially started with Henry VIII. The concept of ‘British Empire’ came later again. Ireland is divided because in the early 20th century, emancipated Catholics wished for a return of an Irish Parliament to Dublin as had been the case since 1209 but with a true representation of the population: that would have meant a majority Catholic assembly and the Protestant community of Ulster wanted none of it. They secretly negotiated with the British government of the day for their own territory in the northeastern corner of the island. Partition of the island was agreed in 1920 with two territories that were always meant to be reunited eventually under a Council of Ireland. All three parties involved (the UK, NI and Southern Ireland as it was to be known for a time) signed to this agreement. But World War One and the 1916 rebellion in Dublin changed all that.

[@Maestro4759]

@@valerieh84 Complete nonsense.

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

That's not what happened at all. Maybe you're thinking of Cyprus and Turkey.

[@袁大陸]

@@chesterdonnelly1212 British Empire was sunrising country, now it’s sunset country.

[@drik1486]

@@袁大陸 bet that sounded better before google translate 😂

[@josephshields2922]

The Brits used to use "majority rule" as justification to hold on the the six occupied counties. So now according to this report Nationalists are in the majority. so what is the justification to cater to the minority?

[@here_we_go_again2571]

It may come to that in the future. The younger generation doesn't have the same attitudes as the older generation.

[@gary637]

She is misinterpreting the census results. People who identify as having 'no religion' are largely Protestant British people. So you can't say, Oh Catholics are a majority now, there should be a united Ireland. British Unionists are the majority.

[@stiofain88]

​@@gary637 And now you're deliberately misinterpreting the data and wishes of those people.

[@peterdoyle1591]

@@gary637 Wrong! Unionists got 41.1% of the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly vote. And Catholics are the majority. Also, how can you call those who identify as having 'no religion' largely Protestant? 😂

[@SubtleAmbition]

​@@gary637 So people who claim no religion AKSHULLY are Protestant British Unionists. That's terribly interesting. Could you direct me to your data?

[@patriciabrady72]

Unionists and loyalists doing more for a united Ireland than anyone ever could. 😅

[@i_know_youre_right_but]

@@Buckets1000 I think you know deep down that Ireland will never be united

[@ericfisher565]

@@i_know_youre_right_but it can it's very simple leave Ireland alone...

[@Hsalf904]

“We’re not Irish. We’re British” Gee then wtf are you doing in Ireland?

[@ralfsbanders6108]

North Ireland belongs to Ireland 🇮🇪

[@jakearmstrong]

Aye and Ireland belongs to the immigrants now. 😂

[@Kaylor_Ryan]

Nah..

[@TOFB]

If you’re an Ulsterman, you’re Irish. You can identify as British all you want, but that won’t change the fact that you’re Irish if you’re from this island.

[@seanochroidheain6687]

If loyalists want to be regarded as British residents in Ireland in my view that is fair enough. How often do we hear them shouting that they are not Irish but British? 40% claim to be solely British. We should recognize them as being British colonialists.

[@dannyboy5517]

The Duke of Wellington was Irish How many ordinary British know that fact

[@seanochroidheain6687]

@@TheCrescentFusilier0961 many vehemently deny that they are Irish so we need to respect the fact that they are simply colonial residents of Ireland.

[@DarkFlareGC]

Excellent reporting, tensions in Northern Ireland has been my biggest fear after the Brexit vote. I worry this beautiful country will be torn apart because it's been used as a political football during Brexit. It's always good for more people around the world to know about this issue.

[@IrishBoyASMR]

What beautiful country is that?

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Well said! *The Troubles were horrible!* I wonder, if the majority in NI want to rejoin the EU; if they will vote for joining the Republic of Ireland. The problem is that the radicals are going to keep recruiting members who have (for various, not, necessarily logical, reasons) attract those who are unhappy.

[@Ganymede559]

NI is infested with communists.

[@sollte1239]

Right after the Brits voted for Brexit I wondered how they will deal with Northern Ireland

[@casperdog777]

LOL you must be living in cloud cuckoo land. Brexit was a democratic vote - got a problem with democracy then? N.Ireland is better and simply there's a few Republican families who don't want peace - simples.

[@jimschachtschneider7741]

Sadly, Brexit has given North Ireland, Scotland and Wales reason to rethink their relationship with the UK. I see that as a terrible shame.

[@KarlSnarks]

With Westminster recently blocking the new pro-trans rights amendments in Scotland, it should be clear to the Scottish that England doesn't care about their autonomy

[@JayJay-tb5cw]

It's a shame you carnt do nothing about it. Because you all belong to the English empire now and forever.

[@ivan55599]

They shouldn't have that option?

[@maureenmckenna5220]

In all three cases, the UK has left behind a legacy of tragedy and failure. The terrible shame is that these three countries have to still fight for complete independence, and that Wales, in particular, has been left with a tricky financial situation, in part because of how they were treated by the British in the past. Ireland and Scotland have make their own way financially, for many reasons. But, independence is coming for Scotland and Wales, and Ireland will eventually be reunited. That is simply the way of the world.

[@JayJay-tb5cw]

@@maureenmckenna5220 keep dreaming you all belong to the English empire Maureen just accept it. Also wales and Scotland couldn't survive without London, and didn't we just have a referendum for scotland and they decided to stick with big daddy england because all children need their daddy and mammy because they wouldn't survive without us. just accept it the English are your bosses always have and always will fact you are all going nowhere.

[@robertforster8984]

Britain needs to let go of all their old colonies including Northern Ireland.

[@TattleDelta]

Britain needs to let go of all their old colonies --including-- except Northern Ireland.

[@hreodbeort7947]

NI isn't a colony.

[@Gillemear]

"We're not Irish." Sorry mate but the map of Northern Europe says otherwise.

[@gary637]

Geography not your strong point mate?

[@stiofain88]

​@@gary637 Stronger than yours apparently.

[@Gillemear]

@Gary So tell me, is Northern Ireland part of the island of Ireland or the island of Britain. If it is Ireland, then people from there are Irish, if it is Britain, then you are British. Sorry but there is no other way around that!

[@RobertK1993]

Ulster Scots Presbyterians aren't worthy to be British according to British people in Britian.

[@chrisklitou7573]

​@@Gillemear geographical it's on Ireland but politically it's the UK

[@Vader19k8]

They are freedom fighters.

[@josephshields2922]

To whom are you referring to when you say "They"?

[@raymondhaskin9449]

Ulster forever 🇬🇧

[@stiofain88]

​@@raymondhaskin9449 You don't even occupy all of Ulster. If you did the vote to rejoin would have been decades ago.

[@niallkelly2990]

​@@raymondhaskin9449you do know that ulster has 9 counties right??

[@RobertK1993]

​@@niallkelly2990 Haskins knows Haskin about Ulster

[@tomclarke9622]

Imagine being from the island of Ireland and claiming you’re not Irish 😂 Those confused “Ulstermen” are as Irish as the rest of us. United Ireland is coming folks.

[@bpd1111]

Ian paisley carson Craig all knew they were irish. This delusion is only a recent phenomenon

[@johntheball]

Im from Jamaica but i identify as Isreali..😂😂

[@kevburke]

Tragically, we in the Republic at least understand who they are and recognise their identity, whereas their fellow Britons on the UK mainland don't give a flip about them and just see them as irish. We actually recognise them as British moreso than the other Brits.

[@bpd1111]

@@kevburke there has been an approach to loyalists in regards to them identifying as british and as this video clearly demonstrates. There's no point in challenging the delusion as twain once said 'never argue with fools they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@tomclarke9622 Ironically, when the Scots- Irish (Presbyterians) came to America in the pre-Colonial and the immediate post-Colonial era. They identified as "Irish" Most of them settled in the highlands of the eastern Appalachain mountain chain. (In the modern states of Virginia and West Virginia in particular. Their descendants moved into what became Kentucky, Tennesee and further west.) Many of these early settlers had children and grandchildren who became US presidents.

[@Elghast]

The Irish are the kindest most honest people in this world, if you managed to piss them off you might want to rethink

[@IrishBoyASMR]

I second that as an Irishman hahaha

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Thatcher really messed up when she sent British troops into N.I.. It would have been much better if she had requested U.N. troops (specifing from India would have been ironic!) given the delicate situation in N.I.

[@martavdz4972]

Oh yeah, absolutely. I´m a member of a community that interacts regularly with an Irish band (Seo Linn) and they´re the most easy-going people in the world. Pissing them off is extremely hard, and yet the British managed to do that somehow.

[@valerieh84]

@@here_we_go_again2571 British troops were sent to NI after Bloody Sunday in Derry/Londonderry, that was in 1972. Thatcher came to power in 1979.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@@valerieh84 ​ True regarding Derry! Thatcher escalted the situation (she was a very polarizing figure) during and after the Hunger stirkes. I know, technically, N.I. is part of the UK But having British (English, Scots, Welsh) troops there was not a good idea! I will be the first to admit although I am a capitalist, that I am not a fan of MT. The Privatisation of the British railways was a huge mistake (As USA has learned with the disolution of Conrail into 4 big private corportions -- Train wreck anyone?

[@YouTuberJames92610]

Why northern ireland part of UK?! It's in Ireland, isn't it? 🤔

[@jimwoods293]

Why us RoI nit in UK is a better question. They left it like the UK left EU. Some contradictions here

[@RobertK1993]

Northern Ireland Protestants started failed rebellion 1912 after losing Home rule debate in British parliament.

[@kevdaag2523]

Colonial mindset

[@sloughlin721]

Yes. The British stole it years ago and planted a millions Brits there to keep a British majority

[@xaviersson5825]

Northern Ireland part of Ireland

[@aliancemd]

Why is the Englishman still holding Ireland captive…

[@duncansmith7562]

no one is holding anyone captive. learn the basics.

[@laughy38247357075834]

Stockholm Syndrome

[@eyespliced]

@@duncansmith7562 I mean, NI is still occupied by the English, and because of that is part of GB, when it really ought to be part the *_Republic or Ireland_* uh, instead.

[@stephengilmore2741]

@@eyespliced Not until a democratic majority says otherwise. As for 'occupied' - given that only a few hundred soldiers remain here (and most of those are bomb disposal) that's a pretty weak occupation.

[@eyespliced]

@@stephengilmore2741 I mean, replacing and subjugating the native population of places is something the _english_ are *famous* for. That's literally what happened in NI. A lot of the actual irish folk were forced out, and replaced with english settlers who assumed their various roles in society. Aaaand those irish folks who remained were in many cases relegated to basically being second class citizens in their own motherland for much of the time NI has been occupied. You have to remember, _Northern Ireland_ was created in the 1920's, but prior to that, england has a very, very, very long history of occupying and exploiting and subjugating ireland and her people. In the 1845, there was a potato famine. But that didn't effect the rest of the crops and livestock that were being grown in ireland. But those other products were already owned by other people. _English people, or loyalists_ and the teeming masses of poor irish folks were not allowed to access those provisions, and because their staple food (potatoes) were all rotting in the fields, they had literally nothing left to eat and starved to death while on the other side of a fence was a field of grains they could never touch.

[@fredericrike5974]

There is likely few other decisions by the UK parliament that could have done more to undercut and destabilize N. Ireland again. Based on the rhetoric in Bojo's reign, I think one can easily see a very parochial UK view- slavery for N. Ireland was probably too far even for Johnson's crowd, but that comes awfully close to what some of them are doing as well as saying on the other side of the Irish Sea.

[@eyespliced]

Or, perhaps the *_British_* could return the northern part of Ireland, to you know, *_Ireland._*

[@eioclementi1355]

One thing an island doesn't need is a land border.

[@asanulsterman1025]

It's not the English who keep the 2 nations on the island of Ireland separate it's the fact that there are 2 nations and Ulster will never bow down to Dublin rule.

[@stephengilmore2741]

Or... they could wait until what was agreed in the GFA and the majority of the population here wants it. Because as things stand, a substantial number of the Catholic population *still* would vote to remain in the UK. It's nowhere near the 51% mark yet. But as soon as it's there - you'll get your wish. That's how democracy works.

[@bpd1111]

​@AsAnUlsterman yeah it will. Economic and regulatory alignment is in place. The wheels are in motion.

[@rodjones117]

You mean *British*. Most NI Protestants/Unionists have Scottish heritage, rather than English.

[@aresnir2725]

Northern Ireland should be part of Ireland and all British people should be expelled to Britain. Similar to what some people here in comments saying about Crimea issue.

[@minigrande1939]

I'm a British chap living in spain.jow limiting our freedom within Europe was ever going to be positive Basically brexit was sold on hate.

[@alexritrut1432]

Guess your Spanish is more than decent, right?

[@minigrande1939]

@@alexritrut1432 its getting better I can be heard and I can listen

[@brianmccabe2430]

Cop on boys. The uk government is not investing in local comunities. The problems are the same in all estates, abject poverty, only a few can break out of the system. Good jobs and prospects will lift every area.

[@BreadAccountant]

Yeah, its pretty clear that NI is just being neglected by the state. doesn't matter if your unionist or republican life isn't great right now. Being part of the EU would help some businesses but really the government is just bad at addressing the more important issues like healthcare

[@wildmatters8578]

Ireland was one of the first modern colonies, and still didn't get autonomy despite everything...

[@Maestro4759]

It all goes back to at least 1550 with warham St ledger.

[@DPG214]

And Ireland colonized the Isle of Man.

[@Maestro4759]

@@DPG214 Difficult to prove.

[@oscarmike3482]

"Ireland" never existed until the British formed it.

[@DPG214]

@@Maestro4759 Manx DNA analysis might help you get started. Studies have been published (e.g., John Creer).

[@FueledNexus]

As someone who used to be unapologetically pro-brexit. I want to just ask, how has brexit actually benefitted the average person. I feel we've only just had negative impacts on all our lives.

[@400hamburg]

And anyone with half a brain tried to tell you all along that that's what would happen...

[@soberman1520]

We're not Irish Proceed to sound like the most Irish things that I've ever heard

[@raymondhaskin9449]

Ulster folk speak with a Scots accents. Aye, wee etc. Not Irish at all.

[@klausschumacher7126]

But when they travel to the EU they are happy to have an Irish passport. 😂

[@TOFB]

@@raymondhaskin9449 would you stop ffs. It is absolutely Irish.

[@Maestro4759]

@@raymondhaskin9449 Forgot och. I agree why are your people in Ireland is the question scotland is over the sea.

[@BreadAccountant]

@@raymondhaskin9449 That is just the accent in Ulster, the majority of ulster aren't even Scots

[@cocopufer5667]

Just because you FEEL like your British doesnt make you British. I would say reunite northern Ireland with Ireland proper - It should be the whole island. If anyone there doesn't want to there then let them move to the Island of Great Britain.

[@darrenwendell1723]

Yes, reserve a small plot of land for them called Northern-Britain.

[@darkgalaxy5548]

Some might say let Republicans move to the republic

[@jakearmstrong]

😂 I was born here and have lived here for 24 years I'm not going anywhere.👍

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

They are British though. They have British citizenship.

[@Afura33]

I agree

[@jdlk3345]

Brexit is irrelevant, the GFA agrees there needs to be a vote for a United ireland, just vote and get it over with

[@justonecornetto80]

GFA says no such thing. It merely provides a mechanism for a referendum in the event that there is evidence of a clear majority in favour of a united Ireland. The evidence suggests however that a clear majority are in favour of remaining part of the UK so there will be no vote for the foreseeable future.

[@BreadAccountant]

It probably wouldn't pass right now, give it about a decade and it might

[@metalfuk1]

"We're not Irish" says man who lives in Ireland.

[@AnkhaLover333]

Because some people say they're "British" or something

[@anthonymcgills7037]

it is not about religion, its about national identy, irish or british, stop putting the the cause of the conflict in northern ireland, that is about reglion, its not.

[@BreadAccountant]

Religion WAS the original cause of conflict all the way back in the 1600s, it's clearly not anymore

[@Robespierre-lI]

Technically true, but ... You know perfectly well what the historical origins of this conflict are.

[@mikedee171]

The problem in Northern Ireland is that certain elements of the unionist community, ie the DUP and TUV, don’t want/can’t accept a nationalist party as the dominant force. Brexit doesn’t help, as they can’t square that circle

[@mickeypye2593]

WHY DOES A NATIONALIST PARTY NEED TO BE A 'FORCE' ?

[@taintabird23]

@@mickeypye2593 It doesn't. It was obviously a poor choice of words.

[@mikedee171]

@@mickeypye2593 possibly poor choice of words- I mean force in the sense of action. Maybe Party would be better?

[@BreakerBreakerYeo]

politics in Northern Ireland will never work, specially with sinn fein about, just like a United Ireland will never work because the troubles would start back in some sort of way, who's going to be on the streets of Belfast in a United Ireland the garda 😆 sinn fein/I.R.A have been a lost cause from they started attacking the Brits, government won't get them anywhere, they just cause drama, but aleast there's no troubles like there used to be.

[@taintabird23]

@@BreakerBreakerYeo Never say never....

[@CHMichael]

Strange to think that if you are on that little island called Ireland - to think that you're not Irish. I think I would move the the island - the British one.

[@apyllyon]

´´I want ireland´´ We have ireland at home ``Ìreland at home´´ scottland akwardly looking from the corner of the car´´.

[@raymondhaskin9449]

It’s all the British isles. Even Ireland.

[@fritsgerms3565]

​@@raymondhaskin9449 everything is Europe including the British Isles.

[@gary637]

Strange to think that the Irish nationalists who want to live in an Irish catholic state, choose to live in the UK instead. Why try and bomb the majority out of their own country for decades, when you could just move to the country you want to live in....the Republic of Ireland.

[@abegley27]

Came here to say this. "I'm British" - OK but you're literally living on the island of Ireland. Britain is that other land mass next to Ireland. For this same reason the term "British Ulsterman" is an oxymoron.

[@jevers7560]

There is only one tiny difference ever since BREXIT Europeans are more likely to stand behind Ireland.

[@alspenlow6399]

British ulster men he says,first of all Britain consists of England Scotland and Wales,the North of ireland is part of the United Kingdom not Britain therefore you're not British,cavan, monaghan and donegal are in ulster all 3 in the Republic also not British

[@PEdulis]

"I'm NOT Irish!" Then why do you live in Ireland? You DO realise that even Northern Ireland IS Ireland, the clue is in the name! If you do not feel Irish, just move away from Ireland and be happy wherever that may be but do not try to still occupy part of an island that was captured by England a long time ago. Colonialism is over - apart from all the "overseas territories" the UK still occupies, including N.I.

[@gary637]

They live in the UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND. If you feel irish, just move across the border into Ireland. It's wide open. It wasn't an occupation. The Norman English troops were sent by the Pope. Just like all over Europe, the land is owned by a King. He owned the British Isles.

[@PEdulis]

@@gary637 You obviously struggle with understanding the very basics: It is called Northern IRELAND, so the clue is OBVIOUSLY in the name and anyone who does not want to live in Ireland or does not feel Irish is free to leave the island. It DEFINITELY WAS AND STILL IS an occupation, no matter who sent the troops. The English did the bloody work and occupied it and still do. At least be honest and say that you enjoy still occupying it instead of uttering blatant lies like "it wasn't an occupation" which everyone with 2 brain cells immediately debunks.

[@Maestro4759]

@@gary637 Nonsense.

[@LeMerch]

It's not 'protestant vs catholics'. Why is it being reported as this? Its nationality, Irish and British. Please stop conflating it with religion, which it is most certainly not!

[@darrenwendell1723]

It's about the name of the soil. Northern-Ireland or Northern-Britain?? Now they can start throwing rocks again for whatever reason.

[@dublingirl1470]

IMO, it's always been Catholic is synonymous with Irish and Protestant is synonymous with British. I'm from ROI but had relatives in NI, I'm neither religion. Hopefully one day there will be true peace 🙏🏼

[@polreamonn]

Unity of the island of Ireland is the only way forwards.

[@MartinMartinm]

Diversity is our biggest strength

[@BreadAccountant]

I really would like to see a referendum in the next few years

[@whittenoval]

N. Ireland did not vote for brexit . That was missing from this story . Yet got dragged into England's mess .

[@patrickcunniff5936]

The truth is and has always been the UK never lives up to any treaty it signs. In 1989 Germany got its right to reunify its country from foreign occupation. When will Ireland have that right?

[@thor.halsli]

Patrick you intentionally misleading your statement. In 1989 East Germany got its right to reunify with its country if they wanted, which they did. Same goes for Northern Ireland, it's not up to Ireland. And no matter what the cherry picked pull says, the majority dont want to reunify. Leave it to the people it concerns.

[@Frank75288]

the berlin wall only came down because the uk let them off with war reparations...you're welcome

[@duncansmith7562]

it is not Dublin's right to order the majority in Ulster to unite with the Irish Republic. Northern Ireland is a democracy and repeatedly votes for Unionist parties over Nationalist parties. learn the basics.

[@CoachKnapovicLifestyle]

British government hasn't cared about the people of Northern Ireland since the country's creation. So I'm not sure why people still go down the "I am British route" anymore.

[@patrickcunniff5936]

@@duncansmith7562 I am familiar with the GFA and and our history. There should be a border poll today as that is what was promised when and if the UK broke the treaty which they did. After all the oppression against the catholic majority for hundreds of years, all those interred and force to emigrate, you want to defend your murderous clowns and your inbred masters. That's how you lot are. Thank God you're no longer in the EU!

[@Maidaseu]

Those "British" in the North still have the coloniser mentality. At least when the Vikings invaded they eventually became Irish.

[@RobertK1993]

Seige mentality Ulster Scots Presbyterians Unionists and Loyalists have

[@sueyourself5413]

The funniest thing that happened is the English realising that the Irish have more power in the US than they ever will. Maybe you shouldn't have caused a famine and forced so many of them to emmigrate? The English actually think that they're the 2nd most important country in the world (barely, and superiour to the US in _many_ ways). I still laugh about it.

[@Abcflc]

How can anyone not see that this is part of the vast historical legacy of British imperialism and monarchism? Clearly one can be of any religion in Ireland- even though most people are barely religious.... so this is a territorial dispute between the Irish and the British imperialists. I see no other reasonable option but to unify the island. What are the Protestants actually afraid of? Ridiculous.

[@BreadAccountant]

They are afraid they won't have smooth relations the UK. Ironically, Brexit would be the cause of those problems, which many of the Unionists were voting for.

[@TheCrescentFusilier0961]

Revenge

[@denislobov8248]

This is like an English version of Bosnia & Herzegovina...

[@BreadAccountant]

I mean there was a full blown actual war there with actual genocides taking place in Bosnia & Herzegovina. It's not fair to call it the same in NI

[@Robespierre-lI]

@@BreadAccountant Many people would consider the Troubles in Northern Ireland a "war." Perhaps it was a different kind of war. Maybe the word "insurgency" is more appropriate. Others prefer to label it "terrorism" and "violent sectarian conflict." But let's agree that all of these are fairly closely related - and since not all wars look alike or are fought in the same way, the analogy is an absolutely reasonable one. They share A LOT: - Two or more conflicting nationalist political movements with armies and paramilitaries involved - Conflicts shaped by political and inter-ethnic violence, political execution, and terroristic activities targeting civilians - Fought in cities where the different communities live side-by-side but socially "apart" from each other - One side in each example began as the more powerful entity tied to a neighboring country that it identifies with. - The other communities in both cases have a history of either/both being discriminated against or violence against that more powerful ethnic group. - And in each case, there is a break-away group or groups and one that is "unionist" (yugoslavia = "all slavs") The parallel is one that has been studied many times by scholars. It has also been related to Israel/Palestine and Kashmir, but I think those ARE, in fact, slightly different.

[@redl1ner170]

You got to love the guy who says "we're not irish, we're british"... then what are you doing on irish soil, mate?

[@darkgalaxy5548]

He believes NI is British soil. So does the UK.

[@chrisklitou7573]

Northern Ireland is British soil

[@Hugh.G.Rectionx]

@@darkgalaxy5548 it is.

[@stepoutskz]

Gonna be honest, many people from outside dont know the UK is formed by 4 countries, many people just assume the UK is only England, the 99% of the time someone says that is "British" people will asumme you're English, from England. Its like no one knows about the existence of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland cause people tend to think UK= England, British=English but with someone from Wales or Scotland will tell you they are Welsh/Scottish. In Northern Ireland case, if you go outside and tell people you're British from Northern Ireland many will assume you're Irish, it gives me the impression not many people relate the word Northern Ireland and British together, like you're from Northern IRELAND, the country is not called Northern Britain, its Northern Ireland and its Northern Ireland for something because the coutnry is located in the island of Ireland and if you're born in that island you're Irish, no matter how much British you tell someone you are It's like North and South Korea no matter which part you're from, if you have born in the peninsula of Korea you're Korean, imagine if North Koreans were saying they feel Japanese instead of Koreans or something

[@edgardebruin8398]

lol they are irish they don't even sound british

[@samg7430]

The Scottish sound British The Welsh sound British The English sound British The Northern Irish sound British The Southern Irish sound British The British Isles encompasses all of those people. They are all British in the broadest sense.

[@jamesodonovan1899]

Britain is England Scotland and Wales ,I’m from Ireland and 100% Irish we didn’t invite the British here they are here because of their colonial past

[@stephengilmore2741]

Define 'sound British'. What about someone from Brittany who speaks Breton... are they French? Someone who speak Walloon... are they Belgian? What about a Basque-speaker... are they Spanish? Think you get where I'm going with this. Welcome to Europe - where nationality isn't related to your accent, or sometimes, even your language.

[@bpd1111]

​@@samg7430 2 Islands Britain and Ireland . British born in Britain and Irish born in ireland

[@stiofain88]

​@@bpd1111 Just because the orcs call us a British Isle doesn't mean we are one. We could call them "C*nt Island" which I think they'd find hard to argue with.

[@chrisklitou7573]

10:15 This bloke deliberately didn't mention that Wales voted for Brexit aswell so it wasn't just English nationalism

[@TheJimprez]

One part of that Island is one of the richest, most economically productive countries on earth. The other is stuck in some weird religious/nationalist/hate dilemma that kills all hope of a better future. All because SOME people can't let go of the past.

[@St.Smitty]

"I feel British." Well go live with the rest of them then why don't you?

[@ValensBellator]

This continued divide just seems a little silly. Northern Ireland makes little sense at this point… the changing demographics make a unification in the coming decades almost inevitable.

[@flameout12345]

Damn, even on the same land… crazy

[@IrishBoyASMR]

We got lumped with colonial squatters that's why.

[@Frank75288]

mainland europe is one big land , what's your point

[@flameout12345]

@@Frank75288 fking globe is one land... whats your point?

[@niallkelly2990]

​@@flameout12345😂😂😂 ah now don't forget all the uisce 😂

[@kevdaag2523]

The legacy of English colonialism.

[@darkgalaxy5548]

Just like Canada

[@rascalmofo]

@@TheCrescentFusilier0961 Of course not but if you're watching a DW report on the role of Brexit inflaming historical tensions in Northern Ireland, then yes. It is explicitly about the legacy of English colonialism.

[@aimanmarzuqi4804]

"threatening peace in Northern Ireland? ". That is not something you ever want to hear in the news.

[@darrenwendell1723]

I have an idea: reserve a small plot of land on British soil and call it Northern-Britain. Who's moving?

[@ATLmodK]

Returning to violence is not what will happen. A referendum to Unite Ireland to bring the whole island into the EU is what will happen. So many of the Irish gains for independence have happened because of bad decisions by Britain, Brexit is just another one.

[@darkgalaxy5548]

So this referendum, can one vote against unification, or will a united Ireland be the only option?

[@ATLmodK]

@@darkgalaxy5548 I assume you can vote against and continue with ridiculous Brexit requirements-your choice.

[@James_Doyle83]

This is brexit fault

[@joshuajohnson5317]

The UK should give Northern Ireland back to Ireland

[@kai2690]

Free northern Ireland !!!!

[@roseanne9986]

I agree they should be free of british rule.

[@Cpt.Blackadder]

Im not British or Irish, but im a historian. I just say, why dont leave Ireland to the Irish at last? Irish of all faiths, to decide what they want, when they want it. Its a shame that at this time and age Ireland is still divided geographically and socially.

[@bfc2155]

You're a pretty terrible historian then

[@Cpt.Blackadder]

@@bfc2155 well its your right to think so..

[@bfc2155]

@@Cpt.Blackadder read some history books

[@Cpt.Blackadder]

@@bfc2155 im currently reading one on internet trolls.. you wouldn't know anything about it, would you?

[@bfc2155]

@@Cpt.Blackadder well to call yourself a historian and then say "leave irelan to the irish" would suggest you haven't read a single book on the topic

[@shannonbrown5913]

Not the Troubles again?

[@stephengilmore2741]

No. Never going to happen.

[@shannonbrown5913]

@@stephengilmore2741 I hope so.

[@DeWah]

8:58 if "weeer nawt arash weer bri'ish" Get off our island then

[@LL-vk9zc]

Maybe it's psychiatrists or psychologists who should be in charge in NI, not politicians. Politicians don't like to change mindsets - they might lose their seat - but prefer to continue on with the divisions. Alliance Party is the neutral political voice of reason.

[@kightsun]

It's not like the EU has allowed other countries outside of the EU freedom of movement lmao

[@Dublinireland5]

Nobody should be attacked because of what their beliefs are I can only say that the people of the north of Ireland come together and offer a hand of friendship to each other it's for you young ones that are now growing up to make things better for each other and go forward as one.. Don't forget gerry Adams have done so much for Ireland he's highly respected. right across Ireland.and the UK to

[@mikesmith-rp1mb]

Integrated education......

[@mikesmith-rp1mb]

@@funnyflix895 segregation leads to indoctrination.

[@JM-cu6ex]

@FunnyFlix how is integrated education indoctrination?

[@williambuchanan8607]

Adams RESPECTED .

[@armstrongreivers5224]

Gerry Adams may be respected in Ireland but not the U.K.

[@Afura33]

Just give north ireland back to ireland and to the irish people, what are the brits even doing there in the first place. Imaging irish people going to england and claming a part of it ireland.

[@soapytowel1565]

The answer to this is a United Ireland. Then provide those who insist on being “British” a supply of rubber dinghies that they can use to get to mainland Britain, then house them all on barges just off Portland head. We will soon find out how much it means to them to be British

[@raymondhaskin9449]

I agree. A united Ireland and the new flag should be a British ensign like Australia. Put a green shamrock in the middle or something for the Irish.

[@Hugh.G.Rectionx]

free ulster from the irish

[@tonig2757]

So, let me get this straight, Northern Ireland is a British Colony?

[@TattleDelta]

Of course, why wouldn't it be?

[@johndoughnut8617]

Ireland will be United as one again. Tiocaidh Ár Lá 🇮🇪

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

No surrender is what the other side say

[@Kaylor_Ryan]

Never

[@aidanmasterson50]

The reality is that the only place Brexit has been bad for is mainland GB. Ireland north and south have benefited economically from that act of self harm. For me Brexit is merely the current excuse try halt the erosion of power as the population trends steadily swings the other way and if there were ever an issue with the GFA that has delivered peace, is that it delivers that power to entrenched sectors almost excluding the Alliance party from a real place at the table of power. Frankly they are only ones who will yield it without bias to one or the other communities.

[@anitagubalane7510]

Northern Ireland is technically and originally part of Republic of Irish not by the United Kingdom. 💯

[@richiemurphy9783]

Technically it's a island 🏝️ called Ireland.. Hibernia..eire.. never england

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

Not true

[@Hugh.G.Rectionx]

no it isnt. at no point in history has ulster/northern ireland ever been part of a independent irish republic. educate yourself because you seem very foolish.

[@AnthonyD-yy2in]

Delaying unification of Ireland is threatening the peace to be brutally honest. People just need to realize that fact.

[@darkgalaxy5548]

Oh yeah, I can see loyalists peacefully accepting unification.

[@justine1124]

Britain Russia and China are the same greed😂😅

[@jim-es8qk]

Odd really because historically sein fein and dup both stood on an anti EU platform.

[@justwatching3722]

Just let Ireland be Irish, and they can be in the EU. Let England be what ever they want, but you gotta let Scottland and Ireland be their own. Dont try to block their history.

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

The English can all get along, as can the Scots. But the Irish in the north cannot get along with eachother.

[@shredhead67]

I don't think it's brexit doing this... the people still hold old grudges and as long as they insist on proliferating said grudges nothing good will be done. Blaming a border for your violent acts doesn't really add up. Brexit was a dumb idea but using it as an opportunity to stoke old fires is all it is.

[@Lorenz1973]

Maybe 🤔 including something about the Alliance party next time? Appears some people vote based on “bread & butter” issues rather than following traditional Protestants versus Catholics voting behaviour. Wondering if that might increase in next election… And how about immigrant communities in Northern Ireland? And more information about generational differences?

[@IrishBoyASMR]

Wrong - it was never about catholics vs protestants.

[@KristianH1986]

unfortunately its a 2 party race and the majority of voters will lean towards the side that staunchly opposes/encourages unification. Its the issue that will always steer voting behaviour.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@andreah495 There are now immigrant communities in *both* NI and RoI. I think that the generational differences will be the deciding factor.

[@Lorenz1973]

@@IrishBoyASMR I know it is about national identity not religion, just using the language/ terms used by DW…

[@Lorenz1973]

@@here_we_go_again2571 Are you sure there are no immigrants or immigrant communities in Northern Ireland? Or do you simply not socialise with immigrants/ people not born to the two main communities in Northern Ireland?!?

[@s9ka972]

8:53 , If you aren't Irish , then why are you in Ireland.

[@AnkhaLover333]

Some still identify as "British" Idfk why

[@Firemarioflower]

Exactly. Let them get to Wales. There's enough space there.

[@Leo-gt1bx]

You literally have no clue

[@hreodbeort7947]

He's in the UK.

[@iHusk]

Listen I don't pretend to know British politics or British life in general but who honestly thought Brexit was going to actually work? Also how much do we want to bet the Brexit movement was a Russian psyop?

[@josephshields2922]

In the long scheme of things the EU is only a dot in history. Before that you had the British Empire, the French Republic and the German Reich representing different languages and cultures and histories. The EU started as the EEC a trade agreement and has morphed into a Untied States of Europe with no borders and a bunch of "Europeans" holding hands singing Ode to Joy. I guess the Brits got tired of taking orders from Brussels. It certainly has not brought peace as there is another tragic war in Europe and a legacy of bombing Serbia, Libya, and Iraq.

[@Axeiaa]

From my personal experience, 50% Racists (oh no the Polish are taking our jobs)* 50% That believed the NHS bus lie, that Britain was bleeding money to the EU and the NHS would receive far more funding if they were to leave the EU *Funnily enough economic predictions are that Poland will surpass the British GDP by 2030. Brexit has played no small part in that. Brexit just feels like one big joke gone wrong, even the people are the forefront of it didn't believe it would happen and were caught off-guard when it did.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

There were valid reasons for Brexit. (1.) In particular the usurptation of "British Isles" (including Irish waters) by European commercial fishing firms with those huge mega- fishing/ processing ships. (The Mediterranean is pretty much off-limits; the sea is dying) (2.) The issue of unrestricted immigration from continental Europe is also a problem FYI: The Republic of Ireland has the same problem being an EU member (and a dumping ground for immigrants to the EU). In 100 years or less, Ireland won't be populated with a majority of "Irish" people (i.e.genetic Celts)

[@iHusk]

@@here_we_go_again2571 Ok but is that really the hill y'all wanna die on?

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@@iHusk Meh! In or out of the EU the unregulated immigration of unvetted individuals has to stop. (I think that there are cartels behind it)[1] I also think that skill levels should be a criteria rather than family reunification (especially when they're inviting every last relative to join them!) I mentioned those two reasons as why some think they have valid reasons for wanting out of the EU Although, I do think that the (unelected) EU commisioners have been rather high-handed with everyone who didn't jump when they said so! __________________________ 1.) American here --- We have a mess on our own southern border with cartels assisting people smugglers.

[@BrokenHill56]

I too live in NI, and whilst there are undoubtedly tensions here, it is not the case that war is going to erupt over Brexit. Interestingly, the Irish Republic is suffering from substantial immigration that has resulted in attacks in immigrants and large protests, a severe housing shortage, growing wealth inequality, high levels of organised crime, and a deeply corrupt political system. Perhaps DW news should contrast and compare the North and South. The results would be illuminating. To argue that Brexit is somehow leading to greater violence is not borne out by the facts. There is terrorism and violence but on a very small scale and certainly not anything like 25 or 30 years ago. As for a united Ireland, it may happen of course at some stage in the next 30 or 40 years, but it will require far more than simply a call for it to happen. The Irish Republic with an Army of some 9,000 would not be equipped for a civil war if change was forced upon the Protestants against their will and there needs to be substantial political and autonomous guarantees before this would be conceded by the Protestant minority. Far too many Republicans and Nationalists want to spur on this process without thinking through the conditions in which it could be successful and the risks to Eire itself of it's failure. The politics of NI are complex and require complex solutions, not vacuous or ill-considered shouting from the rooftops.

[@stiofain88]

Interesting that feel that you're in a position to throw shade at us considering what an outdated sectarian dump NI is.

[@BreadAccountant]

The issues in Ireland relating to the housing crisis, growing wealth inequality, organised crime and corruption are not caused by substantial immigration. These have all been issues for more than a decade now. These are all just symptoms of the horrendous policies relating to housing and poor investments in the citizens by the government. Too many landlords in the Dáil. I also am not sure that is going to take 30 or 40 years to see Irish unity pass. Now of course that would require for the government to actually hold the referendum which they seem, as usual, hesitant to do

[@dreaming_cthulhu]

Ireland belongs to the Irish.

[@davidwenham9522]

In a word... NO

[@daikucoffee5316]

It is.

[@alistairbeveridge2753]

The real threat isn’t brought about by brexit but British occupation of Northern Ireland continuing, basic and straightforward facts

[@Robespierre-lI]

Alistair, you really need to start to let go of the past. For your own sake. Forty-five years of hate, thirty years of a bloodbath and twenty-five years of relative peace but incompetant Stormont governance aren't enough for you? Britain does not even care about the political status of Northern Ireland at this point, with the rare exception of handful of unpopular geriatric Tory unionists. Most of the Tories would be perfectly happy to see the six counties go their own way. I've seen this up close as a foreigner living in London. The only thing the vast majority of British people and politicians actually care about in Northern Ireland is whether or not the people of Northern ireland will resolve their own problems peacefully. That was the position of many Labour voters during the Troubles, after all. And, now it is practically universal. Honestly, you would be hard pressed to find a political enemy over there. What Westminster won't do is create a situation where vehement Republicans or vehement Loyalists might return to violence. And if you think Dublin would approve of that either, you are sorely mistaken. They've been having a jolly time, perfectly happy on their own these past few decades. Genertaions have come and gone. Reovlutionary nationalism is not fashionable anymore. "Look what it did to the former Yugoslavia" many will say. It is time to let go of those old Republican slogans about British occupation and the potato famine and the H-blocks and move on.

[@cianw2942]

No such thing as ‘Mainland’ Britain. Theyre two islands. Australia isn’t New Zealand’s mainland

[@KittenBowl1]

Lol they may feel British but that’s not British English. 😅 I could hardly understand what they were saying and had to turn on the closed captions. I lived in London. Far from Cockney accent either. Very thick Irish accent and almost like another dialect. Wow.

[@IrishRebel23]

They will tell you they are from "Northern Ireland" but there not Irish i honestly can't cope with the stupidity 😂

[@evilduck1000]

England has plenty of regional dialects and accents. That doesn't mean they aren't British, and same applies with people in Northern Ireland.

[@KittenBowl1]

@@evilduck1000 They’re NOT British. Ridiculous to say such thing. They were actually part of Ireland. They were colonized by the British and violence like this was happening because of that. Stop colonizing with your BS too. Enough of this British nonsense.

[@middler5]

"We are not Irish" Britain's over there mate.

[@thescotchirishman3373]

It's not about religion. But thats what the powerful want us to think. Ironic the majority of Catholics are ethnic Irish. By portraying it as sectarian, it makes it out to be more illogical than it is. Its the fight against imperialism, thats it.

[@raymondhaskin9449]

Oh okay. Speaking of imperialism - when are the 20 million Irish giving America back to the natives?

[@stiofain88]

​@@raymondhaskin9449 Pretty sure ye colonized America with France so that question should be directed at Westminster.

[@raymondhaskin9449]

@@stiofain88 The Irish colonised America as well.

[@stiofain88]

@@raymondhaskin9449 No we fled there. There's a difference.

[@raymondhaskin9449]

@@stiofain88 The Irish went to America and used guns on the native people to steal their land. That’s imperialism.

[@jaydublin-wf5jr]

Not Irish but living on the island of Ireland defies logic , perhaps if the DUP stopped holding up a formation of a government it may help tensions.

[@AnkhaLover333]

Yeah the DUP is the *REAL* problem

[@countsmyth]

Rule Britannia mentality, it seems the Unionists have a difficulty accepting any progress. The problem is they had it their own way for too long.

[@brianbadonde8700]

It's not just Irish and British anymore 20 percent of the population is probably foreign if it's any way similar to the south and have no loyalty to either culture or people