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A decade following the UK embarked on a rushed public vote that divided the country and caused turmoil, a advisory comes from beyond the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

Authorities and voters entered unwittingly Brexit and the identical may happen with a national vote on a united Ireland, sparking convulsions for which no one is equipped.

That represents the warning from two leading writers from either side of the Irish border who have collaborated to analyse the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to create a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Establishments Ill-Equipped

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are extremely unprepared for a possibly fraught and seismic public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that events can arise suddenly and can gather momentum very quickly," the commentator remarked. "It is my view that the political architecture of our region remains extremely volatile."

New Title Aims to Stir Debate

The duo have analysed the governmental, financial and societal rationales for any structural alteration in a book, Examining Irish Unification, published by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They hope to stir debate on the topic with a tour of lectures that will lead them to Westminster soon.

"What troubles all parties, or should haunt all involved, is the Brexit vote of 2016," stated the analyst.

"We must avoid a national vote on a thumbs up-thumbs down, ambiguous question whose implications have not been spelled out because then you find yourself with an extremely divided society where people who have lost are resistant to losing and the victorious side are uncertain exactly what it is that they have won."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland official must arrange a referendum on Irish unification if it appears likely that a most voters would approve.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups say such a time is looming, and a group named pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but authorities in Dublin and London and unionists downplay the possibility, resulting in ambiguity if and when there might be a national vote.

Insufficient Informed Dialogue

Ideological statements supporting and opposing unity has obscured the lack of serious debate, said McBride.

"Many are for or against the concept but the actual thinking which could extend past that to achieve it is mostly absent. A great deal has gone on in universities but very few government figures or campaigners seek to involve themselves even with the fundamentals. For instance, which kind of country would you want? Centralised? Federal?"

Volume's Strategy

In the volume, no writer advocates unity or the status quo. They writes two essays that aim for neutrality in presenting the rationale for a unified Ireland and the argument opposing it, marshalling financial and societal figures, previous instances and constitutional models.

Debates cover identity markers, duties, health services, pensions, national debt responsibilities and the threat of loyalist violence. The goal is to educate and provoke dialogue.

"Considerable attention exists in the topic but there has not yet occurred a debate," stated the writer. "Dialogue indicates an acknowledgement of the concept that there might be reasonable perspectives on both sides."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A referendum in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the Republic of Ireland, where voters say they support unification but reject greater financial contributions or implementing a alternative symbol to recognise unionists' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin should work out what the offer from pro-unification movements is other than just declaring: 'We want a unified Ireland and we love you'," remarked the commentator.

Possibility of Public Vote

The journalist considers a referendum in his era is likely and that it could happen unexpectedly. "There might be just a reckless or a bad or a negligent secretary of state who declares: 'Let us proceed and settle the matter.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and unionists have plausible, justified points, he stated. "Somebody will prevail on this issue and somebody will in the end not succeed but both parties has got valuable insights to acquire from the opposing arguments."

Call for Broader Dialogue

Westminster needed to participate in the discussion, said the analyst. "This concerns Britain. It is a British issue equally as it is an Irish issue."