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Ten years after the UK entered into a hasty referendum that split the nation and triggered turmoil, a advisory emerges from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and voters entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar may happen with a national vote on a unified Ireland, triggering disturbances for which nobody is equipped.

That is the message from two prominent journalists from either side of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the benefits and drawbacks of Northern Ireland departing the UK to create a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Establishments Unprepared

Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have determined that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are gravely unready for a potentially tense and seismic public vote.

"The lesson of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that events can come out of the blue and can gather momentum rapidly," the commentator stated. "In my opinion that the political architecture of our archipelago remains very unstable."

New Title Aims to Encourage Dialogue

The duo have studied the governmental, financial and cultural arguments for any governmental shift in a book, The Case For and Against Unification, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to stir debate on the issue with a series of speaking events that will bring them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What haunts everybody, or must worry everybody, is the Brexit vote of 2016," said O’Toole.

"We must avoid a national vote on a yes-no, unclear proposal whose results have not been clarified because then you find yourself with an extraordinarily split population where the losing side are not reconciled to losing and the those successful lack clarity quite what it is that they have achieved."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland government minister should call a public vote on Irish unity if it appears likely that a majority would support.

Nationalist parties and other pro-unification groups say that moment is approaching, and a non-profit called Ireland’s Future has rallied support, but both governments and unionists minimise the prospect, resulting in ambiguity whether or when there might be a referendum.

Absence of Informed Dialogue

Partisan language for and against unification has obscured the absence of serious debate, said the journalist.

"Individuals are often for or against the idea but the detailed consideration which could extend past that to make it possible has largely not occurred. Much has occurred in academia but hardly any politicians or activists are willing to participate with the fundamentals. To illustrate, what type of nation would you want? Centralised? Decentralised?"

Book's Approach

In the publication, no writer endorses unification or the status quo. Both composes two articles that strive for impartiality in presenting the argument for a united Ireland and the case opposing it, gathering economic and societal figures, past examples and governmental frameworks.

Arguments encompass flags and symbols, taxes, healthcare systems, pensions, national debt responsibilities and the danger of pro-UK militancy. The goal is to inform and provoke discussion.

"There is significant curiosity in the issue but there has not yet occurred a debate," stated O’Toole. "Discussion implies an recognition of the concept that there may exist reasonable perspectives on each side."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the Republic of Ireland, where citizens say they support unification but reject increased taxation or adopting a different emblem to acknowledge pro-UK communities' UK heritage.

"Policymakers in Ireland does need to establish what the plan from Irish nationalism is beyond just saying: 'We want a unified Ireland and we love you'," said O’Toole.

Possibility of Referendum

McBride considers a national vote in his lifetime is likely and that it may take place suddenly. "There might be just a mad or a bad or a incompetent government minister who declares: 'Let's just do this and resolve it.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and unionists have credible, legitimate perspectives, he commented. "Somebody will prevail in this matter and the other side will eventually be defeated but all factions has has important lessons to learn from the other's viewpoints."

Appeal for Broader Debate

Westminster must engage with the debate, urged the analyst. "This involves your state. It's a British question just as much as it is an Irish matter."