Comments on Big Ulsterman: Nowhere to go

beano,Surely even unionists acknowledge that the B...

2005-09-15T14:14:00.000+01:00

beano,

Surely even unionists acknowledge that the Brits don't want anything to do with the North?

Attacking the police won't endear the place to British hearts either.

The simple fact is, and recent polls have shown this, that the British public doesn't give a damn about Ireland, north or south.

I listened to some commentary on the North's game with England recently and the North's team was referred to frequently as the 'Irish team'. They look on the North as Irish, in stark contrast to what many unionists would look on it as.

The Ulster identity is a foreign and baffling concept to British people. The same cannot be said for the people of the Irish Republic.

We are well aware of Ulster and its significance.

As John said quite succinctly, unionism should 'change from unionism with the English to unionism with northern Irish Catholics'.

Well said Paul.John I'm a bit taken aback by "They...

2005-09-12T22:33:00.000+01:00

Well said Paul.

John I'm a bit taken aback by "They know their British days are numbered" and "political unionism ... [has] no future" statements, I don't believe either to be true. Having said that, another few nights of rioting and who knows?

"They know their British days are numbered as the ...

2005-09-12T21:50:00.000+01:00

"They know their British days are numbered as the Catholic population grows"

Only because mainstream Unionism is too steeped in the past to consider that some RCs may also want to stay British. If UUP and the DUP continue on only looking out for the Prod vote, then you're right, it's only a question of time before the Union disintegrates.

A pluralist,modern, secular Unionism is needed to promote the benefits of British citizenship for all, I won't be holding my breath waiting for it to emerge.

Good post John, as usual.Speaking as someone who g...

2005-09-12T14:26:00.000+01:00

Good post John, as usual.

Speaking as someone who grew up in a working class Catholic family, I actually veer toward the UK for the future of NI.

So much of our established social structures are from the UK. Can you imagine the upheaval of being reintegrated into the Republic of Ireland? Medical systems, legal systems, currency, policing (dare I say it) will all have to be assimilated.

I'm not a Unionist by any stretch, but I can find no compelling reason to want to join the Republic at any time.