Asking Northern Irish people if they want a united Ireland

9 comments

1. Touching on what the first guy said. In terms of the health service costing money for services in the south, it would absolutely need to change.

   Nobody’s voting for that and nobody is voting to be annexed by the rip off republic. Any New Ireland would need to be just that, a New Ireland.

   For the sake of discussion surely the health service in this theoretical New Ireland could be paid for by our taxes or would southern voters reject unity if it means more taxes, seems to be some indication of that from polling but that would surely be the only way to make it free at the point of service and wouldn’t they want that too?

   Also, if we cannot have universal free healthcare what about a voucher scheme where if you’re not seen within a reasonable space of time the government gives you a voucher for private treatment?

2. I grew up in a republican area of Belfast and would consider myself a nationalist. However, for me I’d vote no if a vote was called tomorrow – mainly on the basis that Ireland has no effective means to build wealth or move up a class.

   I come from a working class background and being able to save via a LISA over many years enabled me to build wealth to make a deposit on a house. After that I was able to open a S&S ISA to invest in index funds that grow my money, not let it wither away with inflation – all in a tax free wrapper.

   The UK’s ISA scheme is one of the most generous wealth growing accounts in the world if contributed to and used correctly.

   Ireland has nothing similar and their capital gains tax of 33/41% respectively on stock and ETF gains is ridiculous – and to add to that they have additional liquidation rules every 8 years for capital gains.

   So as it stands, I would vote no on that basis alone. The only way down south to grow wealth is to buy property which isn’t something I’d find ethical given the current housing crisis.

3. Wait until this years UK general election.

   If the English vote the Tories back in again, even by a small majority watch people over here look towards a UI as an alternative.

   It’s no guarantee that Starmer and Labour will get in.

4. It’s refreshing to see a proper discussion on the topic and consideration of the potential downsides.

5. Is Healthcare still the sticking point here? It’s not working, can’t get an appointment, 3 year waiting lists. Hardly much point it something being free if you can’t access it. It needs changed someway, whether that is Ireland taking an NHS model, or combination of both. But either way, that first kid might think it’s free, but chances are he has not needed it recently. I didn’t during my 20s

   Irish model is also not that bad. Yes, GP up front fee, but overall you don’t pay for a lot. Many people including elderly, kids, the sick, people on benefits/low wages, and so on get medical cards. Small percentage only pay full and means tested they can afford it. Taxes are subsequently lower as no National insurance to cover it.

6. If it gets young ones of street corners sniffing workman’s glue out of plastic curleys bags I’m all for a united monagh bypass.

7. 3 people 😂😂😂

8. I’m a millennial and would vote for a United Ireland in a heartbeat.

   Absolutely sick to the back teeth of Britain and it’s arrogance and incompetence.

9. The paying for healthcare argument is always so baffling to me. People in NI pay for healthcare every month – the only difference is, you don’t get anything in return.