Both sides have a good argument for their stance, but rarely is it made in a sensible way
Sam McBride and Fintan O’Toole, authors of ‘For and Against a United Ireland’, a new book to be published by the Royal Irish Academy. Photo: Conor Mulhern
Ireland has many divides. The border might be the most controversial, but there are divisions which predated partition and have the potential to outlast it even if the border was to be removed.
Yet beyond differences of religion, of constitutional preference, of class — and even newer points of difference such as ethnicity and language — lies what is now perhaps the most important division: the split between those who want to win a border poll at all costs, and those whose respect for their neighbours outweighs their desire to get everything they want.