In the absence of a viable and coherent NI Border Poll criterion? By John A Coyle

In the absence of a viable and coherent NI Border Poll criterion? By John A Coyle.

The 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is are not explicitly clear on the terms for a referendum.? In the absence of a coherent NI Border Poll criterion. It is open to speculation in relation to voting identities. Why because a potential voter is either "Nationalist" or "Unionist" for the purposes of an NI Border Poll. This begs the question should any future NI Border Poll be compulsorily? Maybe abstaining should not be an option, in the light of the NI history of the British State of Northern Ireland? Since for "Unionists" the perception is they are voting to remain in the British Union. In essence therefore logic dictates that the power of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland are based for the most part on those NI RC "British Subjects" who may potentially want some form of Irish reintegration of the national territory of the island of Ireland? Essentially, the "Nationalist" are seeking to persuade the "Unionist" and "Others" to leave the British Union and join some form of Irish unification and sovereign independence. Therefore, it will assist the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the NI nationalists votes were automatically counted in favour of some form of Irish unification. Any NI RC British Subjects who wish to remain in the UK should be afforded the facility to register - self identify and reclassify as "Unionists" purely for the purposes of an NI Border Poll.

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has the power to call a referendum only if:

‘……it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to become part of the United Kingdom’. (Constitutional Issues, Annex A, Schedule 1, Paragraph 2)

Therefore, it is time for the NI "nationalists" to make a case for some form of Irish unification and sovereign independence. In particular, to endeavour to persuade the Unionist and others to vote for an all Ireland settlement. As indicated there is no requirement for NI RC Irish nationalists, to vote in a NI Border Poll. Their vote can be automatically counted in favour of some form of Irish unification. Preferably, a devolved settlement, where in there is no change in the NI Belfast Agreement 1998 institutions of state and supporting strands. The sovereign constitutional power will simply be devolved from the Oireachtas in Dublin to Stormont in Belfast. I. E. As distinct from Westminster. This will of course be supported by an HMG / Government of Ireland - agreed political and security architecture: and or the provisional memorandum of understanding - that HMG has no selfish economic and or Strategic interests in the island of Ireland. Albeit in the context of the totality of these islands. This is in compliance with the end of Anglo-Irish Northern Irish Conflict 1968-1998 peace process, British, Irish constitutional and international law declaration of intent to withdraw from the island of Ireland. Subject to the terms of the Belfast Agreement 1998. In essence, an NI Border Poll.

In this respect, it is appreciated that provisions may need to be made for some NI RC British Subjects to self identify and reclassify as Unionists, purely for the purposes of an NI Border Poll. It will of course no doubt also be appreciated that Irish nationalist by definition should not be placed in an invidious situation amounting to an incitement to disaffection ( A form of treason) I. E. North or South. There of course, is a distinction to be made as between an Irish Constitutional referendum, involving a cooperative sharing of Sovereignty, as in the case of a EEC/ EU membership.

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