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Ten years after the UK embarked on a rushed referendum that divided the nation and triggered chaos, a caution emerges from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

The government and electorate entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar might transpire with a national vote on a unified Ireland, triggering upheavals for which no one is ready.

That represents the warning from two leading writers from either side of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to form a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Institutions Unprepared

Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have found that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are gravely ill-prepared for a potentially tense and seismic referendum.

"The lesson of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that events can emerge unexpectedly and can gather momentum swiftly," the commentator stated. "It is my view that the governmental framework of our archipelago remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Intends to Provoke Discussion

The pair have analysed the governmental, financial and societal reasons for any structural alteration in a volume, Examining Irish Unification, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to stir debate on the issue with a tour of public talks that will lead them to Westminster early next month.

"What haunts everybody, or must worry everybody, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," stated O’Toole.

"We must avoid a national vote on a yes-no, vague proposition whose results have remained undefined because then you land with an extraordinarily split population where people who have lost are unable to accept losing and the people who have won are uncertain precisely what it is that they have achieved."

Legal Framework

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland official should call a referendum on Irish unity if it seems probable that a majority would approve.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists claim this point is looming, and a non-profit called pro-unification advocates has garnered backing, but authorities in Dublin and London and unionists downplay the possibility, resulting in ambiguity if and when there could be a national vote.

Insufficient Informed Dialogue

Ideological statements for and against unification has masked the shortage of serious debate, stated McBride.

"Individuals are often supportive or opposed the concept but the actual thinking which could extend past that to achieve it hasn't for the most part happened. A lot has occurred in academia but scarcely any elected officials or campaigners seek to involve themselves with even the fundamentals. To illustrate, what type of nation would you want? Unitary? Federal?"

Book's Approach

In the publication, no writer endorses unification or the status quo. Each composes two articles that seek neutrality in presenting the case for a unified Ireland and the rationale opposing it, gathering economic and societal statistics, historical precedents and constitutional models.

Debates range over flags and symbols, taxes, health services, elderly benefits, national debt responsibilities and the danger of unionist unrest. The aim is to educate and stimulate conversation.

"There is significant curiosity in the issue but there is still lacking a discussion," commented the writer. "Discussion suggests an acceptance of the idea that there could be reasonable perspectives on either side."

Parallel Votes

A referendum in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the Republic of Ireland, where the electorate say they prefer unification but refuse greater financial contributions or introducing a alternative symbol to acknowledge pro-UK communities' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin should determine what the proposal from Irish nationalism is aside from just saying: 'We desire a unified Ireland and we value you'," remarked O’Toole.

Possibility of Public Vote

The journalist considers a national vote in his era is likely and that it could happen suddenly. "It is possible just a mad or a ill-advised or a feckless government minister who says: 'Let us proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have plausible, legitimate arguments, he commented. "Somebody will win in this matter and the other side will ultimately be defeated but both parties has possesses valuable insights to learn from the other's positions."

Call for Wider Discussion

Westminster needed to engage with the debate, urged O’Toole. "This concerns your state. It is a British issue just as much as it is an Irish matter."