Leaving the EU and Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's relationship with the Republic of Ireland was hardly discussed in the mainstream media in England and Wales. English and Welsh voters probably ignored what would happen if and when we leave the EU.

The Good Friday Agreement made between the "loyalist" and nationalist communities of Northern Ireland and the British and Irish governments. It has proven to be a big success. Peace has returned to Northern Ireland and the bombs have been taken out of Irish politics. The British mainland has also returned to peace and we on the mainland no longer have to face the reality of being bombed by the IRA.

The Good Friday Agreement was helped by the fact that both the the Republic of Ireland and Britain were members of the EU. Both countries became equals within a confederated organisation which provided a  forum for peace. The EU provided good reason for cross border co-operation and co-operation between the communities in Northern Ireland itself. The nationalist community was persuaded that the UK was no longer imposing its will on their community. The Good Friday Agreement encompassed power sharing so that neither the UK nor the "loyalist" community could unjustly impose their will on the minority catholic community.

To assuage the "loyalists" the Irish republic changed its constitution to drop claims of sovereignty over Northern Ireland.  The Good Friday Agreement allowed citizens of Northern Ireland to be British, Irish or both. The European Convention on Human Rights was confirmed to be part of the agreement. An Irish-British council was set up to promote joint interests and the Good Friday Agreement recognises the role that the EU plays in promoting peace and development in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland voted to remain in the the EU . There is now the possibility that the rest of the UK , save Scotland, will force Northern Ireland out of the EU against its will. It is not only the nationalist community which supports remaining in the EU but a substantial number of so called "loyalists" probably voted to remain too.

Much of the violence prior to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement resulted from the nationalist community being opposed to an English parliament imposing their will from across the Irish sea.

There is still simmering resentment from certain quarters in Northern Ireland  as can be seen from press reports of low level violence continuing in Northern Ireland. This resentment is being held in check by legitimate politics.

The rest of Britain may  have a legal right to force  Northern Ireland out of the EU but does it have the moral right?

I expect that the the legality of Britain  being able to withdraw Northern Ireland against its will be to be challenged in the courts and this challenge could go all the way to international arbitration. What will the UK government do if it loses?

If the UK government imposes its will on Northern Ireland what will happen if factions within Northern Ireland return to the gun and bomb to achieve their aims? The British people may have made a big mistake and all of us ,"Remainers" and Leavers, alike should consider this before the Article 50 button is pushed.

The views of the Northern Irish assembly must be taken into account before we invoke Article 50 and this implies that the UK Parliament must consider the implications too. Using undemocratic prerogative powers to execute Article 50  could be a dangerous mistake.

It is my view that the English and Welsh populations voted without considering the constitutional implications for the whole of the United Kingdom and without considering the dangers of using prerogative powers without parliamentary approval both in Northern Ireland and the UK. The British prime minister should consider carefully how using powers, taken from an un-elected head of state, should be used in the the context of Northern Ireland which is composed of a community of around 45% republicans. Behaving like this, was a major influence upon the political violence in Northern Ireland before the 1998; let's not go back to it please.