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Ten years after the UK stumbled into a hasty referendum that polarised the country and triggered disorder, a warning comes from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and voters entered unwittingly Brexit and the identical might transpire with a referendum on a unified Ireland, initiating convulsions for which no one is ready.

That represents the warning from two prominent journalists from each side of the Irish border who have joined forces to scrutinise the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland departing the UK to establish a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Institutions Unprepared

Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride, have determined that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are woefully unprepared for a potentially tense and transformative public vote.

"The crucial insight of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that developments can come out of the blue and can gain traction very quickly," O’Toole stated. "It is my view that the governmental framework of our region remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Seeks to Encourage Dialogue

The duo have studied the political, financial and societal reasons for any constitutional change in a publication, The Case For and Against Unification, published by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They hope to provoke discussion on the topic with a tour of speaking events that will bring them to Westminster soon.

"What concerns everyone, or ought to concern every person, is the Brexit vote of 2016," stated the analyst.

"We should prevent a national vote on a yes-no, vague proposition whose consequences have not been spelled out because then you end up with an extremely polarised community where the losing side are not reconciled to defeat and the those successful are uncertain quite what it is that they have achieved."

Governmental Mandate

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland government minister must arrange a public vote on Irish unification if it appears likely that a most voters would vote in favour.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists say such a time is looming, and a organisation named Ireland’s Future has rallied support, but authorities in Dublin and London and pro-UK factions minimise the possibility, resulting in ambiguity if and when there might be a referendum.

Insufficient Substantive Discussion

Partisan language supporting and opposing unification has hidden the absence of serious debate, noted the journalist.

"Many are for or against the notion but the concrete planning which may surpass that to realise it hasn't for the most part happened. A lot has gone on in academia but very few politicians or campaigners are willing to participate even with the basics. As an example, which kind of country should be desired? Centralised? Decentralised?"

Publication's Method

In the book, neither author endorses unification or the current situation. Each writes two pieces that strive for objectivity in detailing the case for a unified Ireland and the case against, assembling financial and societal figures, previous instances and governmental frameworks.

Discussions range over national emblems, levies, healthcare systems, retirement funds, national debt responsibilities and the risk of loyalist violence. The objective is to inform and provoke conversation.

"There is significant curiosity in the issue but there is still lacking a dialogue," stated the writer. "Dialogue suggests an acceptance of the concept that there might be valid points on each side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A public vote in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the republic, where voters say they favour unification but refuse greater financial contributions or implementing a different emblem to reflect unionists' British identity.

"Authorities in Dublin should determine what the offer from pro-unification movements is other than just stating: 'We seek a unified Ireland and we value you'," remarked the commentator.

Possibility of Public Vote

McBride believes a referendum in his generation is possible and that it might occur abruptly. "There might be just a reckless or a ill-advised or a feckless secretary of state who says: 'We should proceed and resolve it.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have credible, legitimate perspectives, he stated. "Somebody will succeed in this matter and the other side will ultimately lose but all factions has got valuable insights to acquire from the other's arguments."

Request for More Extensive Dialogue

Westminster should participate in the debate, urged O’Toole. "This is about your state. It is a British question just as much as it is an Irish issue."