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Expecting unionists simply to merge with our State as it is does not seem to be practicable
Sir, – Your recent opinion poll shows, firstly, that more than two-thirds of Irish voters believe the Government should commence preparations for Irish unity .
However, less than one-fifth of voters would be willing to consider changing our flag and national anthem and joining the Commonwealth in order to make a united Ireland more acceptable to Northern unionists. Expecting unionists simply to merge with our State as it is does not seem to be a practicable means of getting them to join us. But is that not what unionists required nationalists to do when the state of Northern Ireland was formed in 1921?
Two wrongs, as they say, do not make a right. And, in the case of unity, we have renounced compulsion and substituted peaceful persuasion. The Commonwealth is admittedly a sticky wicket, but it should be remembered that Ireland would not be joining that body but rejoining. Ireland, of course, was a member of the Commonwealth until it left after becoming a republic in 1949.
Today 36 of the 56 members of the Commonwealth are fully independent republics and the British monarch is head of state in the case of only 15 members . India , South Africa , Kenya and Nigeria are independent republican members of the Commonwealth, so a united Irish republic should have little trouble fitting in once more.
As well as giving unionists a continuing sense of some connection with Britain, the Commonwealth could provide a useful talking shop for the various nations in these islands, especially if Scotland and Wales obtained independence. – Yours, etc, SEAN MURPHY, Windgates, Co Wicklow.
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