What If Northern Ireland joins Ireland?

Go to brilliant.org/faultline to get a 30-day free
trial + the first 200 people will get 20% off their annual subscription.
Border anxieties and questions of identity returned for the people of Northern Ireland in a post-Brexit world. With the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement approaching soon, we find out whether Ireland’s reunification could be a solution to these problems. Or will it make matters worse?
Subscribe and turn on notifications 🔔 so you don't miss any videos: / faultlinevideos
JOIN OUR PATREON
/ faultline
Short form content on Instagram //
/ faultlinevideos
And on Tiktok //
/ faultlinetv
Follow us on Twitter //
/ faultlinevideos
Like our Facebook Page //
/ faultlinevideos
Join our Discord for behind the scenes discussions
/ discord
Follow our Subreddit //
/ faultlinetv
Business enquiries // [e-mail]
Faultline is produced by:
Executive Producer/Story Editor/Reporter/Host: Andy Burgess
Story/Research: Anjali Sharma
Local Fixer: Dillion Osborne
Cinematography: Andy Burgess
Additional Footage: Dillion Osborne
Production Manager: Anjali Sharma
Editors: Andy Burgess & Jatin Nahata
Motion Graphics: Andy Burgess & Jatin Nahata
Assistant Editor: Dylan Boynukalin
Special thanks to Colin Harvey & the people of Northern Ireland that spoke to us for this piece.
Additional Footage from Storyblocks & Archive.org
Archive Maps from David Rumsey
Music from Musicbed // fm.pxf.io/c/2423499/1347628/1...
Sources 🔗
www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-...
cain.ulster.ac.uk/othelem/chr...
cain.ulster.ac.uk/victims/doc...
yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/...[…]te_article&
www.economist.com/britain/202...[…]98M08MkwlXhQLdlajd3MSwxrnQOSZXLzKwaAn30EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/be...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/bu...[…]ustomers-told-they-cant-receive-purchases/42076480.html
www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-...
www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/publi...
www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...
www.irishnews.com/news/politi...
www.bbc.com/news/world-europe...
www.investmentmonitor.ai/insi...
www.theguardian.com/world/202...
www.euronews.com/2023/02/26/i...
www.reuters.com/article/uk-ir...
www.bbc.com/news/explainers-5...
www.theguardian.com/politics/...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Brexit's effect on the Good Friday Agreement
1:51 - Is a United Ireland the solution to Brexit?
2:30 - How Ireland became two countries?
3:44 - Paying the bills
5:19 - The Troubles, explained.
6:28 - The era of peace 1998-2020
7:51 - Brexit and abandonment of Northern Ireland
9:11 - The Northern Ireland Protocol, explained.
10:21 - Do people in Northern Ireland still feel British?
11:26 - The Windsor Framework, explained.
12:35 - The argument for reunification.
13:28 - Can Northern Ireland move on from the past?
15:42 - The argument against reunification.
16:19 - Could there be a referendum for a united Ireland soon?
16:46 - How people in Northern Ireland feel in 2023.
#ireland #northernireland #unitedireland

[@Faultlinevideos]

Hey guys, we have a whole playlist on other What If scenarios: kzbin.info/aero/PLwtsZ__QmDy5oAS1MOXz6AESKVCym3eiH
 And let us know which one you think we should tackle next 👇

[@roisinmalone3015]

Your version of history is very inaccurate Irish Republicanism is littered with Irish protestants, the United Irishmen Wolf Tone Robert Emmet etc It's the identity that counts.

[@roisinmalone3015]

Plus inaccurate again. The border was drawn before WW1 in 1914 They just used those boundaries post the war of independence. And it was drawn to create a perpetual protestant/unionist majority in the North loyal to the Union

[@roisinmalone3015]

@charles Not really. Plus he left out the appalling discrimination Catholics/Nationalists faced within the North which was run as an apartheid type sectarian statelet which is what led to the Troubles. There isn't any proper context.

[@stefandebeer9375]

Can you please do a similar video on Welsh independence as well?

[@roisinmalone3015]

@charles I don't think the issues of Northern Ireland etc the Troubles etc can be understood without the context of how the nationalists were discriminated against for decades leading up to the Troubles. A peaceful civil rights movement highlighting this quashed. It's shocking what was done re voting rights, housing and jobs etc. And this was all under British rule. I don't think enough English people want to take any responsibility for looking at that or recognising it, so they ignore it. The Troubles etc don't make any sense without that context. That every aspect of the statelet was controlled by unionists etc.

[@ShaneOFearghail]

When discussing the history of Ireland, you must include the Plantations of Ulster and Munster. The seeds of partition.

[@fieldagentryan]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Apostles_of_Ireland

[@fieldagentryan]

and the thnic cleansing of connaught under the bishops esp. Tuam in the post WW.2 period.. plus the railway lines being used as an excuse to raid our ancient burial tombs along with bord na mona.

[@sarowie]

I would start with the christianization of ireland and that the english flavor of protestantism still having the head of state as head of church. It is not protestant against catholics; "the protestant" "believe" that their head of state should be their head of church. Other protestant movements specifically did not want to have the concept of head of church.

[@matthewh6719]

Well on the issue of NI and Ulster Plantation is much more relevent and credit to makers of this piece they did include. I always cring me when foreign reports talk about "Catholics" and "Protestants" without context but this doc did clarify that's a misnomer and it's not a religious conflict.

[@aleph8888]

The USA was planted. So was Canada. Every country has to deal with its own history. And we deal with history through a system of legally equal sovereign states, not regressive ethnic nationalism.

[@johnwood6750]

Derry native here - you're at zero risk in the Bogside area with an English accent. My dad was from Kent and lived in the city, working as a postman for over 50 years with zero hassle. Come along with a uniform, a rifle, and a shitty attitude while stopping and searching people in the area and the result may be different. But everyone's welcome otherwise.

[@LeMerch]

No one Irish had an issue with English people. Especially northern England!

[@polheg1]

Derry man myself. Dad was PJ HEGARTY who owned Studio 39. My mother was English, also from Kent. Agree totally with you.

[@jackjoyce1744]

@@LeMerch yeah it’s mostly the attitude more than anything.

[@archiemitchell8426]

If the cowardly IRA hadn't taken to planting bombs to MURDER innocent kinfolk there wouldn't have been any hassle. But then I don't wear GREEN TINTED SPECS. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@1981fallout]

I wouldn’t advise an English person to go near the bogside

[@tomaslayte6701]

This is a good video but it left out important facts of history like how the Protestant population in the north was artificially planted there on seized Irish land and that the Catholic population of the North was systematically discriminated against by the unionist government for most of history up until only 30 years ago and that the DUP continues to suppress the Irish language and culture

[@roisinmalone3015]

Yeah it left out pretty crucial stuff Plus it's inaccurate. There were plenty of Irish protestant Republicans Wolf Tone Robert Emmet etc. Plus the border was drawn in 1914 not post independence

[@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986]

Nobody in the republic seems to care about the Irish la gauge these days maybe a few small villages in the far west away from civilisation but frankly Irish is dying because the Irish don’t care to preserve it. I live in wales and whilst we have the same problem to a degree we also have a large proportion of the population and multiple counties that prioritise preserving Cymraeg which is why it still thrives and Irish is going extinct

[@tomaslayte6701]

How much people do or don't care about the Irish language on the other side of the border has no relevance to the fact that the DUP has maliciously blocked all attempts by sein fein and the SDLP to codify their original native language into law and to even have the choice of learning it in schools

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986 That's not true.

[@tomaslayte6701]

​@@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986 Also just to mention Irish is a mandatory subject in all schools here in Ireland and all street signs and government services are written with both English and Irish. While very few people speak it as a first language a fair few are fluent or at least proficient

[@uhforja]

Here's the thing. Since the GFA everyone born in NI has a choice of a British or Irish passport, or both. If you're an educated young person who wants to increase their life prospects, the Irish passport gives you access to opportunities in many other EU countries whereas a British passport doesn't. So which one are you going to take, regardless of your religious background? British identity will become more and more dilluted as time passes and eventually the majority will see the sense in reunification.

[@zoomerboomer1396]

The UK is still the 6th largest economy in the world with plenty of oppertunity for most, so you're talking about the minority here, and those who pick the Irish passport to live in Brussels, Frankfurt or Paris might vote for reunification but those aren't really the people who built an identity aren't they? It's the people who stayed at home and tend their parents grave.

[@johnbrereton5229]

Holders of a British passport not only have a right of abode in 5 countries within the British Common Travel area, and have done for 100 years, long before the GFA. They also have visa free travel to 190 countries world wide and a British passport was voted the best passport for visa free travel. The EUs 27 countries don't really seem like much in comparison.

[@adrianwhyatt1425]

They're allowed to have both passports. Even the DUP advised everyone to take both!

[@ChuckConnNYC]

Aye

[@nromk]

Ok, what about trade? That's the main issue here.

[@gogovideo10]

Hi, resident of Derry here.. you were trying to be quiet around the city walls in case anyone heard your accent.. absolutely not necessary. Derry is a very welcoming place, plenty of English people visit Derry without incident. One of my best friends is from Manchester, he’s been over every few weeks for the last 6 months, he’s fallen in love with the place & the feeling is mutual. People recognise him as soon as he walks in the door of pubs and shops around the town and are only delighted to see him. So, next time you’re back here in Northern Ireland, just remember that. It can definitely be overwhelming as a tourist, especially when you see all of the different imagery around the town. I won’t say that nothing sectarian ever happens here (I actually had a rock lobbed at my head by a kid who was building a bonfire right where you were looking over into The Fountain 😂) but for General day to day people who aren’t part of a paramilitary organisation, you generally have absolutely nothing to worry about.

[@RidireOiche]

He's just trying to paint nationalists out to be as unreasonable and feral as the orange. It is unfortunately a common english practice.

[@ulsteredz]

Thank you for your reassuring post. I hail from Derry myself and plan on returning home after some 47 years living in England. And of course I now have a London "mockney" accent (with hints of the home counties) - having left NI at the tender age of five! 😆

[@thefirm9746]

Are you seeking much more sentiment for reunification after Brexit?

[@gogovideo10]

@@thefirm9746 I wouldn’t say that. Sentiment for a United Ireland hasn’t gone away at any point since 1921. I‘d say it’s just as loud and vocal now as it‘s always been. What I do think has changed, though, is that now, even unionists see it as an inevitability. I don’t necessarily think that Brexit is what’s going to cause a United Ireland, I think it‘s one of the dominoes, but realistically, I think if anything will push people towards a United Ireland, it’ll be the behaviour of our own politicians. For the first time in 100 years, Northern Ireland voted to nominate an Irish nationalist first minister, to which the DUP has attempted to block them from their rightful democratic seat. They’re refusing to go back into government for almost a year now. We have to have another election, circumventing democracy, so they can attempt to get their First Minister seat. If they don’t get it, we‘ll repeat the process. People are sick of shit like this far more so than they are of Brexit.

[@roisinmalone3015]

You've based this too much on religion. Plenty of Irish protestants were Republicans the United Irishmen, Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet etc It's about identity not religion

[@roisinmalone3015]

@charles It's not an accurate representation of the situation. Plus it feeds into this narrative that protestants have or had to be unionists and Catholics republicans. It's not true historically.

[@aycc-nbh7289]

I’m pretty sure he has addressed this concern in the video.

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@aycc-nbh7289 Where

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@aycc-nbh7289 Eg the pro independence catholics launched the Easter Rising.. That's just not accurate

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@aycc-nbh7289 The decision re Irish reunification is what divided Ireland in the First place. Emm no, Britain partitioned Ireland against the wishes of the vast majority of the Irish people.

[@squagwag2808]

The reason for the Irish Sea border for entering the eu instead of on the one on the island, is that the Good Friday Agreement forbids any border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland. This is so people can visit family, and Irish people in the north can go to the Republic.

[@tiglishnobody8750]

@Don Roger's We do as we are part of EU Every EU member have right to vote

[@tiglishnobody8750]

@Don Roger's Are you anti-EU?

[@sarowie]

@@DonRogers-wk8rp Even assuming the republic leaving the EU for some reason: With do you assume it would magically form a trading union with the United Kingdom? Two countries outside the EU do not automagically have trading relationship.

[@tiglishnobody8750]

@Don Roger's What are you talking about?

[@tiglishnobody8750]

@Don Roger's And what corruption?

[@squagwag2808]

To clarify, The Easter Rising was predominantly in Dublin (in the Republic) and against the British army. There was some fighting in the north for a while, but it didn’t really start up until the troubles.

[@patrickcullinane7461]

Yes Leaving out a lot The Republic of 1916 Was For A Thirty Two County Irish Republic Not a Partitioned Ireland The People of Ireland Voted for the Irish Republic In the 1918 Election The Republic of 1916 Will Never Die Bobby Sands MP RIP 🙏

[@davidpryle3935]

Squagwag. You need to read a book called “Belfast’s unholy war” by Alan Parkinson. It chronicles the fighting and the atrocious death toll in Belfast from 1920 to 1922. I’m not surprised you’re not fully aware of it, as both the northern and southern authorities have tended to play it down over the years, for their own reasons.

[@roisinmalone3015]

That's not accurate. Around 8,000 Catholics fled Northern Ireland 1920 to 1922 to the South re violence in the North

[@natenae8635]

@@patrickcullinane7461 Northern Ireland voted for partition in 1922 as apart of the Anglo-Irish treaty giving them the self determination to vote for separation and to remain in the UK instead of following the rest of Ireland.

[@ogaram]

@@natenae8635 So, the British gerrymandered a majority and then asked the question. What a joke. You should be embarrassed pretending that gave it some legitimacy. The Irish vote in the 1918 General Election was democratic.

[@maherhamadouch2005]

Ireland should have never been separated, United Ireland all the way

[@jamesthejoker7415]

Oh come on now, who’d want to leave the U.K, unmatched banter 🎉🇬🇧☘️

[@maherhamadouch2005]

@@jamesthejoker7415 the UK is occupying the North

[@xtopia9758]

no

[@jamesthejoker7415]

@@maherhamadouch2005 And tbh as a Northern Irish I can’t say I’m having a bad wee time

[@maherhamadouch2005]

@@jamesthejoker7415 you're British not Irish

[@fredrikkirderf2907]

One note I would say is that it wasn't just the English colonising Ireland. Ulster specifically was mostly settled by Scots (some in Northern Ireland still speak Scots even) so its unfair to present the issue as an English one rather than a British one.

[@7jonny77]

I've heard this arguement. It's a silly one really. When Ireland was partitioned only 3 counties (Arguably 2) had a protestant majority. If you used the Pakistan/ India partition (another mess ) as a example. Unionists would have only got the two counties and highlighted that there was not enough colonialist to form a state. Ulster itself comprises of 9 counties. They wanted all nine but realised they couldnt maintain a majority no matter what gerrymandering they did, and the certainly did alot of that in the 6. Irelands partition was a bad idea. An overwhelming majority of the whole country voted for home rule and subsequent independence in the general election of 21. The reason Ireland doesnt have an Independence Day? We never got our independence.

[@fredrikkirderf2907]

@@7jonny77 fair enough but not my point

[@bpd1111]

The fear for unionists is that in a united ireland they would be treated in the same manner that they treated nationalists in northern ireland. People from both traditions live harmoniously with mutual respect for each other in the South and the bigotry and discrimination that made up the foundation of what is northern ireland will die with it. An ireland for all irish

[@squagwag2808]

You are right, but things weren’t entirely harmonious in the Republic as you say. There were some wealthy Protestants’ houses burnt by the IRA and general dislike for the others. This did die down pretty quickly though, especially compared to the North.

[@jgg59]

@@squagwag2808 It died down very quickly. Protestants kept their head down and just did their business and Catholics had a listen to that fecking church. Thank God the church has lost its grip on the republic so It can prosper.

[@ATLmodK]

@@squagwag2808 They may fear it, but people in Sinn Fein would simply prefer to govern

[@IansOddInterests]

What world do you live in ? After 1921 most Protestants were forced out of the new Ireland and those that remained learned to keep their heads down. Most of my family had to leave Cavan as Catholics refused to shop in their shop. My other family stayed in Glasnevin in Dublin and on Sunday they could only worship Sunday morning as the church was forbidden to have a service in the Sunday evening. Please don’t tell lies either through ignorance or deliberate about how harmonious Catholics treated Protestants.

[@throwawaysupreme9400]

But it wouldn't be for the British ones

[@Gillemear]

A few myths to bust here- Effect of public finances: as the Irish Republic will not be taking on the Northern Irish portion of the UKs national debt, military expenditure or other purely UK expenses that NI contributes to, the debt will be significantly reduced. Also the EU and US have already fenced off a significant stimulus package and development fund for NI once unification becomes a reality. NHS access: the NHS is slowly being dismantled so it is becoming less of a reason to remain in the UK

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

from a guy whos strongly pro United Ireland honestly the biggest challenge in all seriousness is in a United Ireland all of a sudden 2 Million People will become Part of another country The Republic Of Ireland which will be a challenge but i am very confident it will be handled properly as for the outbreak of Terrorism that will follow makes me laugh why it makes me laugh is the Unionists deluded thinking this is still the 70s when they had the Police and the Army colluding with them to murder Catholics smh see this time they will be the ones fighting against tte police and the Army the Republic Of Ireland's army and if need be EU Peace Keeping troops so they will find it alot harder to not only commit acts of terrorism but get away with it now the real people i feel sad for is the victims who will get murdered and the children of the terrorists who will have a horrible childhood because their father committed terrorism and stood against the will of the people and was either sentenced to life in prison or was gunned down by Police / army

[@zdavis4222]

How do you know that the Republic of Ireland would not take on the Northern Irish proportion of the UK's national debt after Irish unification? I know that it took years for any agreement on this topic to be sorted when the Irish Free State was established and the latter ended up not having to pay very much. It is possible that the same would happen if Northern Ireland was subsumed into a united Ireland. Who knows? In reality I suppose it would all boil down to negotiations when the time came.

[@Gillemear]

@@zdavis4222 You really think Irish politicians could sell taking on British debt to the Irish public? Especially as a referendum would need to be held in the ROI for unification to take place?

[@aengusryan5948]

@@zdavis4222 The Republic would absolutely not take on any UK debt, why would it. Nor would it pay the pensions of any ex UK servicemen. If anything, the UK should be paying reparations to Ireland for the centuries of dead, destruction and theft of land it has perpetuated on Ireland.

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@aengusryan5948Redmond’s men were paid their pensions by the British government so I can’t see why after reunification the British government couldn’t pay prison,police and military pensions predating reunification

[@legopenguin9]

you neglected to mention that the troubles were caused by protestants discriminating against catholics

[@PanglossDr]

Also, the Protestant regime was supported 100% by the British government.

[@NIGHTSTALKER973]

I tend to notice that the channels run by British KZbinrs tend to leave that fact out instead they blame either tensions over the border or maybe trade barriers but they almost never say it was down to discrimination of Catholics.

[@skadooshly]

​@@NIGHTSTALKER973 the truth doesn't suit their manufactured narrative.

[@kerryburns6041]

If Martin Luther could have foreseen the DUP he would have just kept schtumm and gone to Mass.

[@steve00alt70]

​@@PanglossDr you mean like Hitler nazi regime?

[@maninredhelm]

It's only about religion to the extent that it's an easy way to distinguish the sides in what's really a tribal/colonial conflict. It's absolutely nothing to do with different interpretations of Christianity or the nature of God.

[@mt-iw3zs]

If Ireland was unified there would be another troubles. It’s not as simple to unify as it’s made out

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

We completely understand how the Irish feel. Our peninsula is also divided, and people can't even cross it to see their families because of the military presence. Just some corrections: Ireland didn't become a part of Great Britain, but rather the UK. I know people refer to the UK as Britain, but Great Britain is just the name of the island that makes up Scotland, Wales, and England. Ireland is well...Ireland, no matter the form! And the Protestant elite ruling Ireland at the time of the Act of Union were actually against Ireland becoming part of the UK. The reason is that they had their own parliament since 1782 and made their own laws, joining the UK would strip their legislative independence. They actually had to be bribed with titles and privileges to go along with the move. Even more strangely is that the Catholic Church actually supported the move as they were promised Catholic emancipation when joining. Of course that didn’t happen and Irish history changed forever.

[@jameshogan6142]

Catholic emancipation followed 29 years later.

[@malcolmabram2957]

Your knowledge of Britain and Ireland far exceeds that of many British people. Impressed.

[@clintonmcbride7015]

@@malcolmabram2957 only the best schools for his most glorious, most Kim of leaders

[@edwardandrews4087]

William Wilberforce was against the act of union as it brought to many Catholics into the union. It helped put an ent to slavery

[@taintabird23]

@@jameshogan6142 This is true, but Catholics were promised emancipation long before that but the King reneged on his promise. In the end, it took Parliament to grant it, thanks to Daniel O'Connell.

[@erf3176]

Partition: The English solution to everything.

[@veronikalynn5084]

American too. Hey we learned from the best I guess. So infuriating to see happen

[@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986]

Well we tried unifying 1/4 of the planet under one government but everybody complained about that so we do the opposite and still everyone complains about us 😂

[@NedNew]

And the irony of it all is that Britain itself looks like it may suffer partition in the future.

[@morten3465]

@@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986 when you say "us", I suppose you mean the English?

[@sands7779]

The British were fond of drawing maps and prospered from dividing and conquering.

[@roybrown2155]

Start should have explained about the plantation of Ulster🎉

[@jackray2468]

Content is always 10/10! Fascinating!

[@aidanoleary636]

Correction. @2:54 Ireland did not become part of Great Britain. It became part of the United Kingdom (The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland). These are the names of the 2 Islands we inhabit so it’s impossible for Ireland to become part of Great Britain.

[@aidanoleary636]

I actually stopped watching as there are too many simplifications and it’s a very misleading piece.

[@seanhannan6700]

@@aidanoleary636agreed

[@seanhannan6700]

@@aidanoleary636that or extremely naive at best.

[@RedCharLang]

@@aidanoleary636 I don't like this video too, due to using the wrong flags for the UK (they use the Great Britain flag pre 1805 flag) along with glossing over other important details about the attempts at Irish Reunification and the partition of the Island.

[@MadPuppy92]

Well no, it did become part of Great Britain as in the country not the island. The United Kingdom wasn't a tag that existed up to that point. When Scotland and England merged it was just 'Great Britain'. The union between Ireland and Great Britain is what created the United Kingdom.

[@francishetherton1837]

You did not mention how the nationalists were so badly treated in the North of Ireland between 1921 and 1998.

[@JudgeJudith]

They should be

[@McCRBen]

@@JudgeJudith And that leads to peace how ?

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

the GFA in 1998 what alot of people don't understand ended 77 years of Anti Catholic Discrimination and abuse and finally for the first time in the History of Northern Ireland Catholics actually had a say in how Northern Ireland was governed instead of the 77 years before that where they had literally nothing

[@fcb9950]

​@@JudgeJudith And there you have an example of anti Catholic bigotry in a nutshell.

[@JudgeJudith]

@@fcb9950 Anti-terrorist bigotry actually

[@santhanaraj5863]

Before Northern Ireland even thinks about unification, ... just remember the disaster that happened to the East Germans when they were united with West Germany!! Ever since unification, East Germans have been treated as second-class citizens, completely ignored, disenfranchised, and totally exploited by Germany!! Today, there is so much anger, frustration, and resentment over abject poverty there !! The East Germans regret until this day their forced unification with West Germany !! With the potential for sectarian violence still very high, between Unionists and Nationalists, ... be careful what you Northern Ireland wish for, because there is no turning back and you will only live to regret it !! It's common sense and far better to be rather a little "economically poor" but in a safer and peaceful environment as it is now !! All these promises of " better wealth" under unification is utter Bull Crap !!

[@CaesarTjalbo]

The problem isn't on the Irish isle, that was sufficiently fixed with the GFA. The problem's with brexit, and not only in Northern Ireland. It won't take long before the British will have to start fixing brexit and that will sort Northern Ireland too.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

I sincerely doubt if most in the British "mainland" (England, Scotland, Wales) with the exception of King Charles iii, care if Northern Ireland stays in the UK.

[@sunnywintermorning1941]

Aah. that’s why so many British soldiers died defending Northern Ireland during over 25 years of terrorism. A lack of care.

[@sollte1239]

I think so too but the DUP and the Loyalists in Northern Ireland care....

[@sollte1239]

​@@sunnywintermorning1941That was years ago....Briten also had soldiers in India

[@annemitchell6144]

I can only speak for myself but as a Scottish person It's none of my business It's up to the people of NI weather they want to stay in the UK It's a choice only they can decide

[@sunnywintermorning1941]

@@annemitchell6144 yes, a United Kingdom statute created this ‘people of Northern Ireland’. Having created it, the choice is with it.

[@sam.victor470]

Why would it be "an aweful idea?" It's inevitable, so why not just get on with it right now?

[@hurri7720]

The thing to remember is that nobody has ever in the long run wanted to be run by Whitehall. Also what was not mentioned was that there is still no hard border on Ireland due to the agreement with the EU. There is no better solution for those in NI than to reunite with the rest of the island. But let people take their time, as Sunak admitted the NI situation is perfect, open for trade both with Britain and the EU. And lots of Brits are applying for an Irish passports while no Irish are applying for a British

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

yea as time goes on more and more people are coming to realize that a United Ireland is the best solution for the long term future of Northern Ireland people like to use fear mongering like threats of terrorism or " too expensive " to try and dismiss the actual benefits of a United Ireland look it will take alot of work and won't be easy but within 10 years our Island will become more powerful then our ancestors ever could have and despite Unionist fear mongering they won't be shut out like they did to the Catholics for 77 years what will happen is actually alot similar to how things are now the biggest unionist party will be part of a bigger coalition government where they will help run the 6 counties in the North

[@richardmcdougall233]

No Irish need to apply for UK passport as common travel area applies, it's for wider EU purposes that people are applying for EU ROI passports UK citizens with Irish grandparents are in droves for EU travel purposes. It's estimated 6million UK citizens eligible for ROI / EU passport.

[@jgw9990]

​@Kurt Punches Things I think most British people are a bit indifferent about northern Ireland. So the main opposition would be the unionists in Northern Ireland. The exception to this would be if the IRA start bombing London again, which would probably create opposition in the mainland as well.

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

@@jgw9990 see the downfall of the IRA was putting it simply the people turned against them by the time the 90s rolled on most people in the North on the Nationalist side was sick of the fighting and make no mistake ever since the GFA was signed rogue elements of the old IRA are itching for a fight and are looking for any excuse to start the fighting again atm they know they are a Fringe Minority and can't do much because the majority are not in favor of it anymore hell even the splinter group after the GFA has since split at least once so the group left has gotten smaller over the years thank god as for the IRA bombing London again i mean it's possible but i think something really disastrous would have to happen for that if anything it will just be contained to the North like most of the Troubles were

[@kennymitchell4361]

@@kurtpunchesthings2411 i applied for irish passport as i dont wanna stand in ques in european airports and its actually cheaper as for my identity i am 100 percent british and would not vote for a UI so the passport thing isnt as straight forward as you think

[@brendanconlon4585]

Probably, but who wants it? Who in their right minds would have anything to do with that crowd of air-heads?

[@checkthefacts.]

I took a walk up the Falls Road when visiting Belfast during the troubles time. Looking back I think I was completely nuts

[@jokersgiddygrin]

I am from just south of the border. Most of the people around me have the same opinion. Yes to reunification. And we say yes while acknowledging it will mean economic hardship for us, and that Unionists will be part of us and we must make some concessions to acknowledge their identity. No-one I know would support any return of violence. Political means only.

[@rickkarsan4491]

As in Englisman take NI back but please ensure you kick out the 'British', they will cause Ireland no end of hassle.

[@rafanadir6958]

Do you speak Irish?

[@aengusryan5948]

@@rickkarsan4491 that would be impossible. They feel their home is on the island of Ireland, they were born there so fair enough. You have literally landed us with a problem that might not ever go away (unless there is a mass exodus......which would be wonderful)

[@lukesalvidge118]

@@rafanadir6958 most people in ireland don't due to the erosion of the language by the British

[@mew11two]

​@@rickkarsan4491 no let them stay, otherwise they'll cause hassle here in the UK instead

[@RaphaelAlejandro]

I would love to see more of the interviews. Your channel is gold!

[@Faultlinevideos]

Working on, finding a place to put extended interviews

[@badgersgetabadname]

While I Obviously feel bad for my friends across the water its impossible not to thank brexit and tories for a united Ireland.

[@beltrofix7667]

I was raised Unionist in a heavily loyalist area and I support reunification. If the DUP or TUV are the best unionism has to offer then I'd rather pass. The trajectory of the UK isn't something I'm comfortable with, although I'd be willing to visit that again if the Tories go out of power but I still feel that long term the best thing for peace on this island would be making us one people.

[@jamesthejoker7415]

@@beltrofix7667 UUP isn’t that bad, scored second highest among younger voters in some polls

[@beltrofix7667]

@@jamesthejoker7415 They stand a bit too far from the centre to the right for me to consider politically. I also prefer the idea of proportional representation in general even if I'd someone unionist leaning that could convince me to vote for them.

[@jamesthejoker7415]

@@beltrofix7667 Fair enough. I am a Unionist and I share your sentiment about the DUP and TUV so I’d understand. Although if the UUP manages to become the largest Unionist party I’d say we have a really good chance at staying in the U.K. (whereas the DUP will have us in a United Ireland by 2030 imo)

[@internetual7350]

@@jamesthejoker7415 Rooting for a DUP victory then!

[@Ianmundo]

good to see an English person educating themselves on the topic, a significant proportion of the English population don’t know that Northern Ireland is even in the UK and a majority have never visited.

[@cambs0181]

Across The Barricades by Joe Linguard. Read in English lessons in England at around the age of 14. Followed by videos and discussions on the troubles in Northern Ireland. Yes, we are educated about it. It's just when someone from Northern Ireland is in the room we avoid talking about the topic so not to cause a heated political argument.

[@BN.ja05]

Meanwhile in Gibraltar: If we don't move maybe the EU will not notice us.

[@paulchapman8023]

Gibraltar isn’t on a fault line, is it? 😂 I’m sure “not moving” won’t be a problem.

[@BN.ja05]

@@paulchapman8023 I heard gibraltarians were pissed off at the EU for allowing spanish authorities to operate inside their airport.

[@Forlfir]

​@BN.ja05 the airport which was built on Spanish land

[@BN.ja05]

@@Forlfir Well to be fair, one cannot expect Brits to NOT be pretentious and entitled, even if they are from an overseas territory.

[@ebcho1]

Hi from 🇲🇾 and really interesting history sharing there, thanks. I'm planning on doing postgraduate studies in Ireland.

[@justmeajah]

I really like your last sentence: it's all about the people who are directly impacted by these decisions. Nicely thought!

[@mnmmcg3543]

Scots colonized the north of Ireland too. There were considerably more Scots than English, as a matter of fact.

[@KevinStraw]

Is that where Ulster Scots comes from?

[@leahm8166]

@@KevinStrawyes; this is the cohort of lowland Scot’s that displaced, ‘reocupied’ and murdered Irish people from their land in the ‘ulster plantations’

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

The Irish flag was designed as a way to symbolize the hopeful peace between Catholics and Protestants, with the Catholics being green (for St. Patrick) and the Protestants being orange (for William of Orange). It's similar to how the Cyprus flag was designed with the shape of the island and a wreath below it to symbolize the hopeful peace between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Of course, this isn't really the case for both situations. The Turkish military still have a presence on Cyprus, took Greek homes, and demanded that they remained if Greeks wanted Cyprus to reunify which Greeks rejected in a 2004 referendum but that's a story for another time. For accuracy at 3:22: Protestant paramilitary groups formed in 1912 to resist the campaign for devolved government in Ireland (which the majority of voters in Ireland had backed in UK general elections since 1885). This was four years before the Easter rebellion of 1916 and of course the escalation of troubles that followed. And the British army weren’t just manning checkpoints. Their presence alone wasn’t the issue. Their actions were, like Operation Motorman, Operation Demetrius, and Bloody Sunday.

[@uingaeoc3905]

CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF IRISH DISUNITY!

[@OscarOSullivan]

Edward Carson was much more nuanced than the rest of the unionists

[@RobCarmina]

The colours of the Irish flag are green and gold - not orange.

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@RobCarmina No the comours are green,white and orange

[@MustacheCashStash125]

I love Ireland so much, I prefer to see two of them

[@Zehnstern]

May I ask: Which Sony lenses are you using?

[@AndalusianIrish]

Given that you are not from Northern Ireland (I am!) and the complexities involved you've done a good job.

[@gloin10]

"Is a United Ireland Really The Answer to Brexit?" No, it is not. Mainly because the Irish have no obligation to solve the problems created by Brixit. A united Ireland is the answer to a divided Ireland.

[@Resolution001]

Damn dude great content

[@buckledcranium]

The U.K. and Great Britain are not interchangable terms so I'd point this out with regard a mistake at 10:30 - "Seperating Nothern Ireland and the U.K" - this should be seperating "Seperating Nothern Ireland and Great Britain" as the U.K. as an entity is defined by the union spanning both islands.

[@davidyoung5830]

Correct!

[@prophetsnake]

And soon there will be no UK.

[@yarnamite9781]

This is like one of the most minor issues with this video, just goes to show the knowledge these KZbin people have about these situations.

[@davidvary9869]

I waited so long for a video from you, finally it came. Amazing work👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@SirBlade666]

As an outsider looking in the whole situation comes across as a woman with an uncaring partner. He's got 2 other women he also neglects and tries his best to be noticed by the big bombshell across the road. But sometimes he swears he loves her, so she stays with him while keeping the suitor next door as far away as possible.

[@paulchapman8023]

As another outsider looking in, I am reminded of the songs “You’ll Be Back” and “What Comes Next” from Hamilton. I wonder how applicable they are to Northern Ireland… Is the price of the UK’s love a price NI are willing to pay?

[@johnnynaughton8990]

Good video. I do think however you skipped over the plantations of ulster thing that is usually where this conversation starts.

[@benetedmunds]

Well done for taking on such a complex issue. But bad luck in misunderstanding so much about Irish history, polticis, Brexit, and the situation in the North of Ireland!

[@ElectrostatiCrow]

I like how this was uploaded during good Friday which lines up with the sighing the good Friday agreement.

[@csvickers151]

As an ordinary Englishman born in the 90’s the troubles were just a distant conflict. However I feel the main issue that prevents us all from getting along is the way Westminster plays politics. Brexit was a UK wide choice though it was marginal. Westminster has always prevented constitutional reform the UK should become a federation where each of the devolved governments have equal sovereignty and where brexit should have had a more rigorous scrutising at regional level and UK level government. For me Brexit was done too quickly not taking into account the complexity of the Good Friday agreement. As a democracy we can’t keep on accepting the status quo in Westminster we need to change this unitary system which centralised power into a select few peoples hands who neither have the interests of unionists or nationalists. But it’s complicated issue and I don’t want to offend anyone just want to see an end to the fighting.

[@garageliddiard8420]

I agree that we need to see more devolution and equal distribution of wealth across regions in the UK. Unfortunately because of the polarisation as a result of Brexit, now it would probably lead to separatism. The tories know this and labour will probably limit devolution as well.

[@mjwmontgomery]

Direct rule worked best for Northern Ireland. Too many regional governments is an absolute waste of resources.

[@csvickers151]

@@mjwmontgomery works well for Germany.

[@mjwmontgomery]

@cs vickers the taxes are very high, though, to pay for so many levels of bureaucracy.

[@csvickers151]

@@mjwmontgomery I think that’s part and parcel of life at the moment for everyone. Especially with Ukraine still going on high inflation is something quite a few countries are experiencing at the moment.

[@motta2919]

Good video mate well put together 👍

[@007JHS]

Good clip explains a lot.

[@Eoin-B]

A recent poll showed that most people are happy with the status quo. No checkpoints, and free movement of goods and people. Ireland doesn't have the expense of the north (which is a good thing as neglect & the troubles that the UK caused put them in a large yearly deficit. The N. Irish economy was the only one that grew since Brexit besides London, so the sea border was working. Marks & Spencer and other English producers and suppliers supply Ireland just fine, so they just had some growing pains until it got sorted out. The DUP needs to grow up and go back into government, they have no solutions but hate literally every option except a hard land border.

[@roisinmalone3015]

Polls at the moment mean nothing because there's no unification plan yet so how could people commit to Unity without knowing what a United Ireland means? The DUP and extreme unionists will keep holding Northern Ireland back and blocking progress, that's what they do. Plus the Protocol re Northern Ireland having frictionless access to the EU Single Market only applies to goods and only mitigates against the damage Brexit does. Northern Ireland will feel lots of the effects of Brexit, it already is. Plus the more Britain diverges re EU standards the more problems it will cause for Northern Ireland. Plus the island inevitably will and is uniting economically which will make unification much easier and cost much less. Plus there will be a nationalist majority of voting age within ten years. This is only going one way. Plus a United Ireland gets Northern Ireland back into the EU and the majority in the North voted remain and support for the EU especially amongst younger people is very high. Plus Britain's economy is stuffed out of the EU and has no hope of any meaningful recovery. Funding to the North will therefore decrease. At any rate it would make sense to prepare and what happens happens.

[@NIGHTSTALKER973]

People are happy here with the situation I know I am but it also drives me nuts that the DUP are trying to muck it up at every turn. Apparently power sharing was a perfectly fine arrangement before Sinn Fein became the dominant party only then did the DUP have issues and what's more those fuckers still have the nerve to pick up their paychecks and not do a single day of work in office in N.I.

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

the real problem is the North is in Limbo they are stuck in the middle half in the UK half in the EU realistically it cannot continue like this indefinitely pre Brexit it was possible because essentially they had the exact same rules as the Republic of Ireland but now with Brexit it means no matter how you slice the cake they will be abiding by some different rules then the rest of the UK has to and that will one day lead to a United Ireland

[@lukesalvidge118]

@@RealEuropeanPatriot Thank you for your expert geopolitical commentary Brainiac, careful you don't hurt yourself thinking too hard

[@milosummers2779]

@@RealEuropeanPatrioti think the republic of ireland would sooner launch themselves into more decades of fighting than come back under the imperialist rule of britain😭 bit dense aren’t you

[@robertn-77]

This was an amazingly produced and presented video, thanks!

[@framethis]

What is rarely mentioned is There were many Protestants that faught for united Ireland going back to the 18th century.

[@cambs0181]

It's probably rarely mentioned, because Ireland wasn't partitioned until the 1920s.

[@richardsimms251]

Great video

[@matthewlynch9331]

I hope you enoyed your time on our island!

[@jdfiend]

Lol I'd say there'd be plenty saying hope you enjoyed your time alive if they see this . I live in Belfast and see the lunatics everyday. They wouldn't go quietly

[@neil4692]

Got a uncle who served during the troubles in the British Army and he is pretty tight lipped about it with the only stuff I've heard is: "I never even wanted to be there I was a bloody mechanic" "I refuse to take a step back into Northern Ireland"

[@7jonny77]

Guilt?

[@elatetunic-wd9ig]

@@7jonny77 more like trauma, you gotta remember he probably saw some damn awful things

[@larkop6504]

I worked in the pharma sector with a bloke who seen active duty in NI. He lost limbs and he said the same. He never wanted to be there and bares no ill will.

[@pulsatingsausageboy2076]

Let’em drown. They wanted to be loyal subjects of the UK. Now they have to live with the consequences of what comes with that.

[@GraemeElliott]

Some other points easier for tourists less currency swapping and the ability for Ireland to join Schengen

[@johnkilcullen]

Often when the subject of unity comes up people focus on the subvention NI receives from the UK exchequer and how expensive it would be for ROI to absorb NI. No doubt it would be expensive at first. But it is not necessarily a zero sum game. At the moment the ROI economy is far more dynamic than that of NI. Perhaps unification could lead to a releasing of NI's economic potential.

[@eimhingalvin8864]

The history segment of this is in the wright direction but it's still quite flawed ... First off the colonisation of Ireland has two distinct phases 1179-1350 the Anglo Norman collony in Ireland wich was followed by the first Gaelic revival then the second "English colonial project" from 1550 onwards wich from the 1605 onwards became the British colonial project

[@AbiBurke-wc7cq]

the normans controlled england ( not anglo normans) in the 1100's and they were invited to Ireland. open a real history book

[@AD-gi9zg]

My understanding is that the majority in Northern Ireland wish to remain part of Britain. Hence, a united Ireland is impossible. "According to a 2018 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey carried out by Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University, 62% supported remaining part of the United Kingdom via devolved government or direct rule, with support for leaving the UK and forming a united Ireland at 19%." (quote from Wikipedia Politics of Northern Ireland)

[@michaelflynn9874]

So I'm from Ireland and I've always found it difficult to understand why so many northerners would want to join us. Our healthcare system is in tatters and our cost of living is ridiculously high. Our education system is ordinary. Our police are underfunded and our public transport leaves a lot to be desired. What part of this is attractive to northerners?

[@xragdoll5662]

Free water?

[@cambs0181]

Yeah, why bother joining the Republic when you can get all of this being in the UK!

[@originalph00tbag]

The title is the wrong question, frankly. The real question is, is a united Ireland just? And the answer to that is a resounding yes, Brexit or otherwise. Of course, with the UK in the EU, the question was mostly academic because the border was just an imaginary line, and for the people on the ground, unity could be practiced to their hearts content. Brexit has caused the question to have real consequences for normal Irish people, and so all Brexit did was inject the question with greater urgency.

[@oisin_o_boyle]

The only island where the most northern point is in the South. Love Donegal!

[@slavianalbanovich9025]

Once upon a time this was also true for Yemen

[@MarkZoloShow]

Your channel is great. You will so well

[@bigjared8946]

It's not "The Troubles", it's just a civil war. The Carlin euphemisms video is instructive.

[@Emanon...]

Yes. It would literally solve all of the EU border issues caused by Brexit.

[@MarcOCymru]

The other thing is the Brexit vote was really England’s vote. NI and Scotland voted remain. Cymru on paper voted leave but there was an oxford study that said large English retiree communities in Cymru (of which there are many) swayed our vote to leave. This was also reported in major UK press. I.e. as far as I’m concerned NI, Scotland and Cymru all voted to remain. Leaving was England’s vote. Just another example of how English influence and anglicisation impacts our countries. Cymru used to get EU grants because it’s the poorest country of the UK (because of centuries of rule and neglect of Westminster). Not only did Westminster pocket some of the EU money intended for Cymru but they also promised Cymru wouldn’t be a penny worse off if Brexit happened. Another lie by Westminster. It’s sad to see what Westminster has done to our good countries.

[@petergagan707]

English here, from our perspective it's difficult because 55million of the 65million of the UK live in England. Cymru (yes I use the name- I know Wales is the old English word for foreigner) is actually over represented due to devolution and so is Scotland. Although admittedly Scotland more so than Cymru. We cannot do more without making it unfair on the English voters- which has come with the belief that the other nations complain all the time. there just isn't enough of you to make a difference when it comes to election time and that's the unfortunate truth. The only alternative for Cymru would be independence vote- which I actually support because like other English I currently pay a 'special tax' to keep the other counties in the UK. I will say the English trade is much more lucrative for Cymru than EU trade just due to the distance, and many communities would be displaced on the border if this came about. I also support an English parliament for internal affairs because we have no representation at the moment- which would help stop the UK being seen as just England. Also a stop to Cymru subsidiaries, and a separation of the Laws of 'England and Wales' which don't work. Cymru should have its own laws like Scotland. I also support a total removal of the special tax England pays to the other nations because it's unfair- in short Marc, nobody is happy whether you're speaking Cymreg or English.

[@MarcOCymru]

@@petergagan707 yes I think people from all countries can see it’s not working. It’s time each country has their own identity, law and decisions. It doesn’t mean walls have to come up. Trade and movement of people should continue. Even sharing some things could work - sharing crime info, special services, university admissions and other things need exploring. But the large part needs independence. I actually think our countries could get on better if the split was fair (but split conditions will be a nightmare). Federalism doesn’t work for me - just another avenue for Westminster to keep power. As for the “special tax” it’s hard for me to agree because I feel Cymru has been made poor over centuries by not investing in the countries whilst we’ve also paid taxes. Therefore benefits have to be paid here because there’s less opportunities (it’s the poorest country of the UK). For example Cymru is paying £5bn to HS2 - there isn’t a single metre within our border. It’s time we all be our own countries, and do so politically and peacefully.

[@cambs0181]

There is a large number of retiree's in London and large parts of the city voted remain. Plus don't think there are that many to sway the vote. No, Wales voted to leave.

[@kieranowner527]

This is a real British view of invasion and occupation.

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

Reunification is a matter for the people of Northern Ireland.

[@padraigpearse1551]

Things will get interesting when the next elections come. Sinn Fein is currently on course to win in both the North and South

[@apangel100]

Why would that make a difference ? It’s like saying Australia and New Zealand will become one country as they simultaneously voted in labour governments ….

[@padraigpearse1551]

@apangel100 Sinn Fein is a cross-border pro-unification party. You're telling me that if Sinn Fein wins and forms a government down south and have the first minister in the North it wouldn't a big deal?

[@padraigpearse1551]

@@RealEuropeanPatriot sinn fein are the most popular party down south and they won the election in the North last time and they'll likely win again due to unionists splitting the vote so...

[@zx10rmac84]

Nah open borders have fkd them now, 🤣👌

[@Kamome163]

I learned so much! Great video🤩

[@ragael1024]

that wall needs to come down. the heck is this, 2 Irelands. it's just 2 political sides, but one people. let the brits play politics with their ppl, let the irish decide for themselves what THEY want for a change. they aren't children.

[@cormacbrogan7353]

He also forgot to add that the 1919 1920 border commission was not equal and one sided

[@ciarandoyle4349]

A good snapshot of how Brexit affects Northern Ireland. The other thing that affects Northern Ireland is demographic change. Census returns and opinion polls may offer insights, and sometimes misleading insights. The thing to watch over the next 10 years, however, will the changing balance of elected representation at every level in government in Northern Ireland. We might not know the final outcome to the question of Irish unity in 10 year's time, but we'll see very clearly where things are going.

[@Ricky_Baldy]

Broadly, a good summary of an extremely complex and nuanced situation. But, you got the nail on the head when you spoke about loyalists in Northern Ireland having a different sense of Britishness to you. Yours is modern, their's is stuck in the 1700s. Also, should a border poll happen, it won't just be in Northern Ireland. People in the Republic will be asked too and their answer is not a foregone conclusion.

[@prophetsnake]

Yeah, basically it's Alabama on Bucky.

[@user-ze8yy8jg1f]

There’s plenty of English living here in the republic. They listen to the ra tunes at the pub and take no notice Most haven’t a clue what’s going on. We don’t even look at them as unionists And to be fair majority spots in Ireland get on fine with English living here or visiting It’s the loyalist in the north are the problem. I’ve never been called a fenian by an English man the loyalists in the north probably use the word once a day

[@prophetsnake]

@@user-ze8yy8jg1f I know a family of Londoners who moved to Kerry 'cause "they just wunnned to g-eh away from what the UK was turnin inta. Know what I mean, Mate?" They weren't there a month when they were giving out about how 'All the music, it's so boring, it all sounds the same, innit?" I gave them a month. Oh, yeah, I should have said - they lived on the edge of a Gaeltacht. But, as time wore on, they seemed to settle in. Their kids all learned Irish, and one of them got top marks in his class for it. I changed my mind. I figured I had misread them. Two years later, they left, whining about what a hateful bunch of people the Irish were and how badly they were treated.

[@profdrrameshkumarbiswas1337]

Northern Ireland should leave Brexit Britain, and reunite with Ireland to realize its full potential and human resources! Period!

[@baldy3405]

Brilliant idea

[@noelpucarua2843]

Your history need a bit of work. In 1800 Ireland did not become part of Britain, it became part of the United Kingdom. I point this out because there is the possibility that some viewers will think that Ireland is part of Great Britain. Even today Northern Ireland is part of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is not part of Great Britain. It is simply part of the UK of GB and NI. You also never mentioned the general election of 1918 that established an Irish parliament for all of Ireland. The refusal of the UK government to accept that democratic mandate caused the Irish War of Independence which ended with the creation of the entity known as Northern Ireland. Before that there never was such an entity. Northern Ireland is a UK creation which was designed to provide, as the saying went, "A protestant state for a protestant people". In Northern Ireland elections were gerrymandered to bolster Unionist rule. When you mention violence you failed to mention that the UK was part of the violence and you foster the notion that the violence was because of Catholics/Nationalists and Protestants/Unionists and ignore the violence of the RUC and British Army. This gives the false impression that the UK government was acting as a peace broker when in fact it was not. A lot of the violence was directly the result of British policy. You also gave the impression that having an English accent could be dangerous in Ireland. It promotes a false notion of how English people are treated in Ireland, South and North. Overall, it is good that you made an attempt to cover the issue of Brexit as it relates to Ireland. I think you should have another go at it.

[@morten3465]

Right now the EU and London are trying to not be responsible for violence in NI. But there will be a limit to how far they can be pushed to accommodate NI unionists. Next time inflation spikes (so within a year) a lot of tempers might start flaring.

[@stephenconway2468]

The EU has pretty well nothing to do with this. They have tried to accommodate but Boris and the ERG were/are roadblocks.

[@josephshields2922]

They can get the hell out and let the Irish solve there own problems. a long time coming!

[@sollte1239]

The EU was founded to enable peace between it's members and works. There is no war between France and Germany anymore. And there was also no civil war in Northern Ireland anymore. It's not the EU fault that the UK wanted to leave the EU.

[@bimmeroo0906]

@@sollte1239 UK population never actually voted to actually join the EEC or EU. Fact.

[@RobertK1993]

English ones voted Brexit Northern Ireland leaves UK join Republic of Ireland in new republic that has concessions to Unionists and Loyalists.

[@andyf10]

An equally big question is whether the South actually wants to a ccept NI. They would acquire all those Unionist politicians into their political system. Do they really want that?

[@jasonhindle4054]

The whole reason the DUP are being so bloody difficult at the moment? They are dying. Demographically, the walls are closing in on them on all four sides. They voted for Brexit and Brexit is killing them.

[@DeanKennyMusic]

Has there ever been discussion about Northern Ireland becoming their own separate isolated country?

[@kpeyton3]

It would definitely struggle on its own as the UK has not funded it's government or economy much and it could erupt into serious unrest without a high budget police force. If it were to become independent it would end badly for all sides.

[@squagwag2808]

I’m afraid that wouldn’t work. It has very very few natural resources, no big exports, and is a very poor country overall. It wouldn’t survive alone. Average life expectancy is low.

[@Oluinneachain]

Under the Belfast/Good Friday agreement there are only two options- retain the status quo( NI remains in UK) or re/unification with Ireland. Independent Northern Ireland not viable in any sensible way.

[@davidpryle3935]

Dean K. The Ulster defence association (UDA) did advocate for the idea of an independent Northern Ireland back in the 70s and into the 80s. But I think they drifted away from the idea as being unworkable.

[@sunnywintermorning1941]

There might be some discussion of it unifying with China.

[@TrevelyanOO6]

How do you become a part of Great Britain? Its a geographic name, its the name of the largest island in the British Isles. As such NI would have to physically move across the Irish sea to become a part it. I think you meant the UK, the country and political entity. The Island of Ireland is also part of the British Isles, just like all the other Islands in that geographic region. When a brit says GB or just Britain they are referring to 3/4 of the countries in the UK; ie excluding NI on purpose or by ignorance.

[@NedNew]

There is, in fact, no such geographical entity as the "British Isles" it is a pseudo-construct. It's also insulting for Irish people to be referred to as such. Let's call these 2 islands the Irish Isles instead and see how that goes with British people.

[@Craicfox161]

@@NedNew ‘in fact’ 😂

[@greywolf7422]

​@@NedNewThey're known as the Emerald Isles.

[@andrewjones-productions]

@@NedNew You are talking utter nonsense. The earliest reference to the British Isles come from ancient Greece. The Britons were the Celts and predates anything English who are the culprits for this political mess. It is nothing more than a geographical term. As a Welshman, I am also very sensitive to any terminology, but what you are spouting is pure silliness. Trevelyan006 picked up on exactly the same thing as I did and it is an absolute disgrace that far too many English people do not realise that Great Britain is simply the name of the largest island in the British isles and the 'great' simply means large to distinguish itself from the smaller 'Britain' that is known in English as 'Brittany'. I understand the aversion in Ireland to the term 'British Isles' because of the political connotations. This is because typically the English (unfortunately, some Scottish and Welsh too) do not use the terms correctly. Once every country on the British Isles is independent and Ireland one country on the island of Ireland, this perception will likely change and the sooner the better these changes come about. Furthermore, whilst you focus on Ireland and Great Britain, you disregard the Isle of Mann which is NOT part of the United Kingdom.

[@TheLastAngryMan01]

@@NedNew The Irish Government favours the terms “these islands” or “Britain and Ireland”. Ignore the plonkers here trying to claim ROI as British in any form.

[@mosgrovecleancutkid681]

No, but an end to Imperialist British rule on the Island of Ireland would be a beautiful thing

[@teddonovan7578]

In 1922 only 2 (Antrim and Down) of the 6 counties in Northern Ireland were predominantly protestant, but Britain decided to take all 6 because 2 would be too small and unworkable for unionist (protestants), thereby forcing the other 4 counties under British rule against their will.

[@tippskyblue]

There is no mention in the video of the economic benefits of joining a very strong Irish economy, with EU access, and leaving the British economy that is a disaster and will only get worse under brexit.

[@michaelodonnell824]

"A small population of Catholics was left behind"? Between 35 and 40% of the population of Northern Ireland at the time of partition was Catholic. Moreover, because the Protestant population was concentrated in only two of the Six Counties, at least three of the Six were majority Catholic (Fermanagh was over 60% Catholic). Yet what happened immediately on the establishment of the Northern Ireland state? Firstly, it became a One Party State (the Prime Minister and the entire cabinet for the entire history of the Northern Ireland state were Unionists). Secondly, Gerrymandering and Poll taxes disenfranchised large numbers of Catholics (Derry was 65-70% Catholic throughout the period but didn't have a single Catholic mayor for over half a century). Thirdly, the single party government promised and enacted policies to make Northern Ireland "A Protestant State for a Protestant people" (The success of those policies can be seen in that between 1920 and 1970, Catholics went from 65% of the population of Fermanagh to less than 45%). Fourthly, with a One Party sectarian government, bureaucracy, policing and judicial system, there was widespread, systematic and systemic discrimination against Catholics in employment, voting, housing, schooling, education, justice and the economy. And ALL this happened while Northern Ireland remained a constituent part of the United Kingdom and even had its own MPs in Westminster. This widespread systematic discrimination happened under all Westminster governments and with the overt and open approval of every ruling monarch in Buckingham Palace and in the Twentieth century. Small wonder that, following the example of the US Civil Rights movement, Northern Ireland Catholics began their own Civil Rights movement. And following the example of the Racist Southern States, the Northern Ireland government unleashed their Sectarian police and paramilitary forces on what were overwhelmingly peaceful protesters. When the government in London sent in the British army, most Catholics saw them as "defenders" and "saviours" - until it became clear that they were NOT there to protect the under attack Catholic population but the Sectarian attacking Northern Ireland state. And then, and ONLY then, did The Troubles start. Too many British commentators, who seemingly approve of the over fifty year long, official and Government led discrimination against Northern Ireland Catholics (or maybe are simply willfully ignorant of it) ignore the circumstances that lead up to the start of the Troubles.

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

loved this Summary a big part of what caused the Troubles to go on for so long i would say the worst Atrocity during the troubles was Bloody Sunday 1972 a peaceful protest march in the Bogside ended in a war crime when British Paratroopers shoot 28 unarmed people killing 13 a 14th died from the injuries most of whom were shot in the back as they ran of course there was a cover up the day it happened it took almost half a century before the British Government finally admitted the people were wrongly murdered to this day 51 years since bloody Sunday no one has ever been prosecuted for the worst war crime of the troubles

[@justasrandom6609]

Unionist in Britain are against being in a Union but don't let Northern Ireland leave their own Union.

[@PixelsInMySoup]

'It [partitian] seemed liked a logical solution to ensure peace on the Ireland' ... that statement sums up the total lack of understanding that British people have on the history and politics of Ireland. And this lad even did a lot of research! And there wouldn't be any issue walking around Derry with an English accent.

[@etherospike3936]

The cards are in Protestant's hands now, if they are smart, they vote for Unification with Ireland , with the right of Ulster to a large auto determination , it's own parliament and government (within the Republic of Ireland) with all the advantages, (trade, traveling, cultural ) the EU has to offer, and with local self determination, and communitari identity insured by constitutional rights ! If the Protestant's majority's representatives know how to play their cards, it's a win-win situation for everyone !

[@slavianalbanovich9025]

I don't think it's a question of Catholics and Protestants, but rather of pro Ireland vs pro United Kingdom

[@edgardebruin8398]

United ireland is the best idea forward

[@desmondhull5778]

You got that right, an idea,ain't gonna happen.

[@slavianalbanovich9025]

United Republic of Scotland and Ireland

[@SvalbardSleeperDistrict]

"For a number of years both countries lived in relative peace and the question of reunification did not really need to come up" is a wrong framing. That question is always there, simmering under the hood, because when you artificially divide communities by implanting an imperial colony there, until and unless that is addressed, the saying "no justice, no peace" holds true.

[@KM9494.]

A Nation Once Again, A Nation Once Again, And Ireland, long a province, be A Nation Once Again!

[@pauleff3312]

This is just heartbreaking - north and south the people living on the island of Ireland are our own people ...

[@roisinmalone3015]

Who's own people

[@HelloAceqwenfifn]

@@roisinmalone3015 yeah. Who’s people

[@jamesthejoker7415]

As a Northern Irish I’m sorry I broke your heart for existing

[@HelloAceqwenfifn]

@@jamesthejoker7415 ?

[@peggygraham6129]

They are not all "our own people".

[@stephenconway2468]

If there is to be a reunification then it should be a natural evolution. Brexit is forcing this issue when it is not yet due or proper. Sadly the DUP are indeed a big part of this as they pushed for it. Given the tiny 2% swing required for Brexit, they are culpable. However, blaming anyone does not help matters. What needs to be done is something to remove the stresses.

[@garywinter6149]

Northern Ireland is a vile exercise in sectarian discrimination and artificial division. It is a random collection of 6 counties of a Nation forcibly removed from the Nation by a brutal vicious neighbouring state. As of now only two of these counties actually have a majority supporting this insane entity.

[@ErnestoPearson-us5os]

Northern Ireland should be better in the EU, but they should decide it and make the step for peace.

[@leahm8166]

Fundamentally reunification allows for the island to reorganize its transport links and economic hubs. It benefits everyone to create more transport links