Sir, – On BBC Radio Ulster, in the wee small hours of Friday morning, Mike Nesbitt, ex-leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, made an excellent point. He suggested that if a referendum on the unification of Ireland is called, there must be a plan in place to deal with the result – whatever that may be. Otherwise there will be a political mess, such as that which has existed since the Brexit vote.
Politicians, please take note. – Yours, etc,
KATHERINE DEMPSEY,
Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
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Sir, – While I admire his optimism, I believe Michael Deasy (“A white dove on St Patrick’s blue?”, Letters, December 16th) is looking at the prospect of a united Ireland through rose-tinted glasses.
Asking unionists and nationalists to have faith in each other seemed possible when the Belfast Agreement was signed in 1998. Twenty-one years later the main parties in the North are barely on speaking terms.
The Border may eventually disappear, but there will never be a united Ireland.
The contempt shown by Nigel Farage and Ukip towards the European Parliament would be mild in comparison to that of the DUP towards any all-Ireland parliament. Be careful what you wish for. – Yours, etc,
NORMAN DAVIES,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.