POST Brexit and in the midst of the protocol, conversations about an alternative future on the island of Ireland are popping up in organic clusters across communities.
Different viewpoints are being aired, and listened to. Not in the depressingly familiar oppositional sparring of our politicians, but in inclusive civic forums.
So how how can civic society, industry and government in the north of Ireland coalesce?
In Autumn 2022 I attended two packed out Ireland’s Future events, in Dublin and Belfast. Crucially, Ireland’s Future has worked hard to bring those from a PUL background into the conversation; an essential step to formulating a 'New Ireland', rather than simply joining the existing state.
The previous narrative of “the unity train is leaving the station, all welcome but get on board before it’s too late”, was not working for this community. But at the beginning of 2023 with Stormont AWOL (on full pay) in a cost of living crisis, and our population used as a pawn over the protocol by a rigid and unyielding DUP, the grass looks ever greener in the relatively booming south.
Having seen him speak in Dublin, I recently read Ben Collin’s book 'Irish Unity: Time to Prepare'. Calling himself a 'post unionist', Ben is a welcome voice and his experience of living in GB chimes with my own.
He sets out the case for unity not from a tribal viewpoint, but across the key areas of economics, health, social policy, education, constitutional change, transition and cultural identity.
There is much myth busting in this book, which tackles key objections to unity and explains what the north can offer the south (for example, cheaper housing and a highly skilled workforce).
Ben claims there are many 'post unionist' conversations taking place, a claim supported by his co-panellists at the Ulster Hall Ireland’s Future event, all from a Protestant background.
During a long time away studying in Scotland and running a business in England, I came to understand the reality of our position in the UK.
Londoners were aware of NI in the context of conflict, but it was not a place they thought of themselves as linked to.
Many were unaware of the details of partition, and mildly surprised that we were part of the UK. Scotland had more of a cultural affinity but, being confident in its own identity, I did not discern a strong need to be in a union with the north of Ireland in Edinburgh either.
Since my return at the end of 2016, the Executive at Stormont has been functioning for less than three years. We are living in a failing state, tethered to a bigger failing state.
With a 27 per cent GDP deficit, the Northern Irish economy has relied on a £9.5 billion to £15bn subvention and a bloated public sector that has meant we never get a true picture of how our economy might function and grow. A recent Ulster University poll showed NI ranking lowest of all UK regions for average weekly earnings and average full time weekly earnings; a decades long story here.
The business community, too, are asking how they might benefit from Ireland’s growth, dynamism, access to EU and US markets and lower Corporation Tax levels.
Ireland’s economy is roughly six times that of NI today, with 2.5 times the working population. It has a growing, increasingly diverse population and progressive social policies, though there are challenges around housing, direct provision and reliance on foreign direct investment.
Capitalising on good relations with the US Irish diaspora, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir recently co-founded the North Ireland Growth Fund with John Donovan and Gene O'Flaherty. The fund expects to become operational in 2023.
I’m doing research on cross border creative industries collaboration, and receiving data about north-south business collaborations springing up every day.
Production companies and arts institutions are formulating co-productions; parallel cross border exhibition; distribution and co funding models; and setting up offices in the south.
A key creative industries incubator is planning to expand its operations north to south. Female focused business organisation AwakenHub has launched an angel investor network across Ireland.
The protocol has, despite noises to the contrary from the DUP and Westminster, been a good news story for business here. Increased business with the south has seen economic growth for us while the rest of the UK, outside London, slows and stagnates.
As we look to the new year here, I feel hopeful and encourage the formation of citizens assemblies in preparation for a border poll.
I would like to see discussions on how to achieve meaningful integration in our schools that accommodates Irish culture, history, language and sports (currently missing, in my experience as a parent with a child at an integrated school) and how to capitalise on the robust health of our creative industries.
Lucy Baxter is a film-maker and lecturer.
