Irish Unity

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About the Book: 

‘I want to be part of an outward-looking liberal country with a positive, strong identity internationally and I’m tired of living in a siege mentality.’

Irish Unity is the first book to explore Irish reunification in the aftermath of Brexit which is written by Ben Collins who comes from a pro-British and Unionist background and has lived and worked across the UK. In this book Collins explains how he has come to favour Irish Unity. He uses his twenty years of experience working in political communications to give his insight on the current situation regarding the building momentum for Irish Unity, the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and Brexit. In this book he sets out what it would take to win a Border Poll referendum and the importance of preparation in advance.

Inspired by the momentum of the Scottish referendum and taking lessons from elsewhere, Ben Collins guides the reader through the steps needed from both sides that he believes will unite Ireland.

Collins gives deep insight from a Northern Ireland perspective about how the financial, cultural and social ramifications could pan out for citizens in both parts of Ireland and how it would affect the United Kingdom, Europe and the world.

Reviews: 

The partitioning of Ireland has left a tragic legacy of estrangement especially in Northern Ireland where until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 conflicting allegiances and identities set the scene for ongoing wasteful conflict and instability. The Agreement put the issue of ending partition on the agenda for medium to long term consideration. Brexit which was not supported by a majority in Northern Ireland and changing demographics have brought the issue of partition closer and closer to centre stage. Many scholarly and political analyses are now adding to the inevitable debate, but few deepen and widen it as Ben Collins’ book does. With exceptional courage he steps outside the predictable tribal politics which have inhibited fresh, radical thinking on all sides including within the unionist tradition which he is steeped in from birth. Here is a plan for building a dynamic and welcoming new home for all who share this beautiful island. A home beyond partition, without partition. This book is precisely the kind of challenging thinking needed at this strange time. I hope it provokes thoughtful and respectful discussion across all the chasms we need to bridge if the future is to honour the promise of peace and partnership most yearn for. MARY McALEESE, President of Ireland 1997-2011

In a timely addition to the growing public debate about Irish unity, Ben Collins examines the feasibility and desirability of such a radical change. And he pulls no punches, convinced that Northern Ireland’s political institutions aren’t fit for purpose and that Irish unity is ‘an idea whose time has come’. Ben Collins grew up as an East Belfast Unionist, describing himself today as ‘an idealist and a pragmatist’ who believes ‘Irish unity is an urgent necessity’, especially after the trauma of Brexit and what he describes as Boris Johnson’s ‘betrayal’ of Northern Ireland. His book is a roadmap towards that end; a clearheaded analysis of the complex issues, grounded in fact, with terrific historical detail. He highlights one of the thorniest issues now facing Northern Ireland; the state created specifically to have Protestant and Unionist majority that will very soon have neither. Anyone interested in the future not just of Northern Ireland, but of these islands, would benefit from this thought-provoking book. BILL NEELY

This is an important book which ought to be read by those on either side of the constitutional debate – and by those yet to make up their mind. JONATHAN TONGE, Professor of Politics, University of Liverpool

Collins has unavoidable novelty, given he comes from a Protestant-Unionist background, was briefly a member of the Ulster Unionist and Conservative parties, and, so, is not supposed to find himself making an argument like this. But make it he does, eloquently and constructively, remaking early on that Irish unity is, quite simply, ‘an idea whose time has come... the argument he sets out is hard-headed and practical.  KEVIN MEAGHER, Bellacaledonia

Irish Unity: Time to Prepare details how the unfolding campaign for Scottish independence has helped build momentum for Irish unity and describes the step changes in his own outlook. LESLEY RIDDOCH

About the Author:

BEN COLLINS grew up in a strongly pro-unionist and pro-British background in East Belfast. Previously an active member of the UK Conservative Party in Scotland from 2001 to 2003 and then a campaigner for the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, he is not a member of any political party. A communications consultant, he was until recently the chief executive of The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) and has worked in roles with a strong focus on political communications for more than twenty years. This has included working as a press officer for the Northern Ireland Office (UK Government Department) at the time of the St Andrews Agreement negotiations, for three international communications consultancies, a professional body and a medical regulator. He has an MSc in Political Communication, an MBA and a Law degree, and is licensed to practise as an attorney in New York State. He resides in his home city of Belfast, working across the island of Ireland. He has previously lived and worked in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London.