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A decade following the UK stumbled into a hasty public vote that split the nation and unleashed chaos, a advisory emerges from across the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and voters sleepwalked into Brexit and the identical might transpire with a referendum on a united Ireland, initiating upheavals for which nobody is prepared.

That is the message from two prominent journalists from either side of the Irish border who have joined forces to analyse the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Structures Ill-Equipped

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have determined that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are gravely unready for a potentially tense and seismic public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that events can emerge unexpectedly and can build support rapidly," O’Toole remarked. "It is my view that the governmental framework of our islands remains very unstable."

New Title Aims to Stir Debate

The team have examined the political, financial and cultural arguments for any constitutional change in a volume, Examining Irish Unification, published by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They hope to encourage dialogue on the issue with a tour of public talks that will take them to Westminster soon.

"What concerns all parties, or should haunt everybody, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," commented the analyst.

"We do not want a national vote on a thumbs up-thumbs down, unclear proposal whose consequences have not been clarified because then you land with an extremely split population where those defeated are unable to accept losing and the those successful don't know precisely what it is that they have achieved."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland secretary of state must arrange a referendum on Irish unification if it appears likely that a majority would vote in favour.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists argue this point is looming, and a group called Ireland’s Future has rallied support, but both governments and pro-UK factions downplay the prospect, making it uncertain when or if there will be a national vote.

Insufficient Serious Debate

Ideological statements for and against unity has masked the absence of serious debate, stated McBride.

"Individuals are often supportive or opposed the idea but the concrete planning which might go beyond that to realise it has largely not occurred. Much has taken place in universities but very few elected officials or campaigners want to engage even with the essentials. To illustrate, what type of nation would you want? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Publication's Method

In the publication, none of the commentators supports unity or the current situation. Both writes two pieces that aim for objectivity in laying out the rationale for a unified Ireland and the case opposing it, gathering financial and societal figures, previous instances and constitutional models.

Debates cover flags and symbols, duties, health services, pensions, sovereign debt obligations and the threat of pro-UK militancy. The aim is to educate and stimulate dialogue.

"Considerable attention exists in the issue but there has not yet occurred a dialogue," commented the writer. "Dialogue implies an recognition of the notion that there may exist good arguments on each side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A public vote in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the republic, where the electorate say they support unity but oppose increased taxation or implementing a alternative symbol to acknowledge unionists' British culture.

"The Irish government should work out what the proposal from nationalist groups is beyond just stating: 'We want a unified Ireland and we love you'," stated the commentator.

Possibility of Referendum

McBride believes a referendum in his lifetime is likely and that it might occur suddenly. "There might be just a irresponsible or a poor or a feckless secretary of state who states: 'Let us proceed and resolve it.'"

Both nationalists and pro-UK supporters have reasonable, legitimate arguments, he commented. "Somebody will succeed on this issue and somebody will eventually be defeated but both parties has has something to gain from the opposing positions."

Request for More Extensive Discussion

Westminster must engage with the debate, urged O’Toole. "This concerns the United Kingdom. It is a UK matter just as much as it is an Irish question."