Commonwealth Games
When I asked Dermot Ahern a fortnight ago whether he thought there was any chance that, given the new dispensation, the Irish Republic might rejoin the Commonwealth, he appeared distinctly reluctant to follow the lead given some years ago by his party colleague Eamon O'Cuiv. Not deterred, the Labour backbencher Andrew Mackinlay today devoted a Westminster Hall debate to the notion that the UK should invite the Republic to join. Answering for the government, the Foreign Minister Jim Murphy said it wasn't up to the UK to extend an invitation, but there wasn't anything to stop Dublin applying.
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Γ believe that the majority of people would support the rejoining of the commonwealth if it were matched, by a similar concession. A party would surely be lost forever if they sold this to people without reciprical arrangements vis a vis de hont government in Leinster House. NI MPs taking their seats in DAil Eireann.
Rejoining the commonwealth can be sold i believe to the people if they can be convinced it would provide a better future for all Ireland.
Thus Mark I would then pose the question would NI accept a United Ireland a the commonwealth with semi dominion status, for those county councils that wished to retain it?
I have no doubt that "southern" people have moved on enough to make certain concessions.
Of course we can't invite people to join the Commonwealth. The only way to get in is to be invaded, colonized and ruled as part of an empire that doesn't exist any more.
However, we have already done those things to the Republic, so that makes them prodigal members that can come home any time they like.
The Republic probably has moved on. We can see that evidence by Sinn Feins rejection at the ballot box. As for Northern Ireland moving on? We are. However, why should there be a similar "concession"? Northern Ireland is firmly within the United Kingdom because the majority of its residents wish it to be. After all these years of mayhem in pursuance of a so-called united Ireland and that projects utter failure, the hard fought peace that all Northern Ireland citizens deserve has been achieved then why would they then just turn around and accept this so-called united Ireland just because in the first posters opinion the ROI joins the Commonwealth which its citizens, in the first posters opinion would agree to anyway?? Its a no brainer really. If the ROI wish to join the Commonwealth like other Republics, they'd be welcome, if they dont, they dont!! We in Northern Ireland would not lose sleep over the matter either way. In the meantime we will just keep fielding our team and the ROI can do whatever they want.
What's the point of the ROI joining the commonwealth? We already have good relations with London; we don't need to improve it.
As for NI; the border will become more irrelevant as the economy of the North is merged over time with the South. Then it will just be about flags; and in a UI we'd need new flags anyway!
Surely you mean UBI - United British Isles. St. Paddy's cross is already in the flag so no need for a new one.
About as likely as UI.