Protestants 'must be persuaded on united Ireland'

Protestants in Northern Ireland need to be persuaded of the logic of a united Ireland, a nationalist politician acknowledged today.

Despite a relatively peaceful Twelfth of July, senior SDLP negotiator Alban Maginness said last weekend’s Orange marches underlined the gulf of distrust between unionists and nationalists.

The challenge facing nationalists, he claimed, would be to persuade unionists of the merits of a united Ireland instead of relying on population change to achieve it.

The north Belfast councillor said: “It is right at this time to reflect on how we, as nationalists, are going to bring about a united Irish people.

“Under the Agreement, that requires a majority in the North in favour – not a majority of unionists, not a majority of nationalists, but a simple majority in the North (of Ireland).

“It is clear from the last census that democracy rather than demographics will resolve the problem of division.”

“The challenge for the SDLP, as well as other thinking nationalists and republicans, is to persuade a significant section of the Protestant community as to the opportunities of a united Ireland.”

Mr Maginness said his party was the only one to have a “workable strategy” for unity.

The SDLP, he noted, had made it clear that in a united Ireland it would keep the Assembly and the Executive at Stormont.

The North of Ireland would be a region of a united Ireland but with northern politicians playing a full part in the Dáil also.

“That is right in principle – since in a united Ireland we will still have to share government as equals, and that is what the Agreement’s institutions are all about,” the SDLP negotiator continued.

“But it is also smart in practice – since it is very unlikely that we will win a referendum on unity unless we make clear that a vote for unity is not a vote to bring down the Agreement.”

Mr Maginness said his party’s vision for a united Ireland also reassured voters that unity would not mean constitutional uncertainty.