Too soon for a border poll

Many would concur with the majority view expressed at a meeting of Louth County Council recently that it would be premature to press for a Border poll at this stage.

The entire question of a Border poll has come more into focus in the last few years because of the difficulties that will be created as a result of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.

Those difficulties will continue to dominate the political, economic and social agenda in this part of the world and indeed in the UK long after this month’s general election, for it could take years before the future alignment between the UK and Europe will emerge.

Throughout those difficult negotiations and with the added prospect that there may be an Independence referendum in Scotland, it would be the height of folly to racket up political tensions on this island with a very divisive Border referendum.

No doubt there are some who would argue that this is the ideal time for a Border poll because of the Brexit situation, and the difficulties that it has caused for the main unionist party the DUP within their own political base, their argument being that the opportunity exists to exploit the situation.

However, there are shrewd political observers who maintain that it is unwise to call a poll, or a referendum until such time as there is a good chance of winning.

That prospect is not in sight at this time, but in a few years time when the dust settles after Brexit, and it is discovered that the interests of Northern Ireland have not been sufficiently protected by the British Government, and if the economy of the North is adversely affected as a result, then a Border poll could have a chance of delivering the result that Sinn Fein and many others want to see.

Until then politicians should keep their powder dry and their posters in storage for there is a lot more life in this Brexit situation before it is fully resolved and the fall out properly assessed.