Show Notes
Part Two of this new landmark series looking at the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. Presenter Chris Buckler along with two high-profile former MP’s, Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, explore issues around the constitutional future and status of Northern Ireland, and discuss the shape and timing of any potential referendum on Irish unity. The two politicians act as advocates for different views of the future and help facilitate discussion about them. In this second episode Ian sets out his argument against any future border poll and hears from Loyalist bandsmen who feel their sense of Britishness is being eroded. Michelle’s political outlook is Republican and she will argue for Northern Ireland becoming part of the Republic of Ireland. Get in touch: [email protected]
More from Borderland – UK or United Ireland?
Presenter Chris Buckler sits down with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin. Almost a year on from the start of this podcast the debate about unity and the questions about a border poll continue to make headlines. Chris asks if anything has changed and whether the possibility of a referendum is being taken more seriously by the British and Irish governments. He gets reaction from the Taoiseach to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s ‘off the table’ comments about a future border poll.
Asking key questions about the shape of any potential referendum on Irish unity.
In this final episode the team are in Belfast and Dublin to find out if and how a united Ireland would work. Chris Buckler takes former MPs Michelle Gildernew and Ian Paisley to the Irish Parliament where they get the views from politicians there. A panel of experts also discuss the practicalities and pitfalls of any future united Ireland. The two co-hosts reflect on the last few weeks of their podcast journey.
Chris Buckler, along with former MPs Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, explores issues around the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. In this episode Chris looks at the potential risks to peace and years of political progress if a Border Poll was held. What would it mean for the fragile power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly ? He hears from a former PSNI Chief Constable and travels to the Belfast peace wall to get the views of former Republican and Loyalist prisoners. He also speaks to RTE broadcaster and comedian Oliver Callan.
The Campaign. Chris Buckler, along with former MPs Ian Paisley and Michelle Gildernew, explore issues around the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. What could campaigners from both sides of the border poll argument learn from the experiences of some of the biggest referenda of modern times. Chris brings his co-hosts to Edinburgh to find out what lessons can be learned from the Scottish independence referendum in 2014.