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A decade following the UK stumbled into a hurried referendum that divided the nation and triggered disorder, a caution is issued from across the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Policymakers and electorate sleepwalked into Brexit and the similar might transpire with a referendum on a united Ireland, sparking disturbances for which nobody is equipped.

That is the message from two respected journalists from each side of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Establishments Ill-Equipped

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have found that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are extremely unprepared for a possibly tense and seismic public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that stuff can arise suddenly and can build support swiftly," O’Toole stated. "I would suggest that the political architecture of our islands remains extremely volatile."

Book Publication Seeks to Stir Debate

The team have analysed the governmental, economic and societal reasons for any constitutional change in a publication, For and Against a United Ireland, issued by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to encourage dialogue on the matter with a roadshow of speaking events that will bring them to Westminster soon.

"What haunts everybody, or must worry every person, is the Brexit vote of 2016," stated the analyst.

"We should prevent a national vote on a binary, ambiguous question whose results have remained undefined because then you end up with an extremely split population where those defeated are unable to accept defeat and the people who have won lack clarity exactly what it is that they have achieved."

Legal Framework

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland government minister must arrange a referendum on Irish unity if it appears likely that a majority would support.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists say this point is imminent, and a organisation called pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but both governments and unionists downplay the possibility, leaving it unclear if and when there will be a national vote.

Lack of Serious Debate

Political rhetoric for and against unification has hidden the shortage of serious debate, said McBride.

"People tend to be supportive or opposed the concept but the actual thinking which could extend past that to make it possible has largely not occurred. A great deal has occurred in academia but hardly any politicians or campaigners are willing to participate even with the fundamentals. As an example, what type of nation would you want? Centralised? Decentralised?"

Book's Approach

In the publication, neither author supports unification or the current situation. They composes two pieces that aim for neutrality in detailing the case for a unified Ireland and the case opposing it, assembling financial and societal statistics, historical precedents and structural examples.

Arguments encompass flags and symbols, taxes, healthcare systems, pensions, sovereign debt obligations and the threat of pro-UK militancy. The goal is to inform and stimulate discussion.

"Considerable attention exists in the subject but there has not yet occurred a discussion," said the writer. "Dialogue implies an acceptance of the concept that there may exist valid points on each side."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the Republic of Ireland, where the electorate claim they favour unification but reject paying higher taxes or adopting a different emblem to reflect pro-UK communities' British identity.

"Authorities in Dublin does need to establish what the offer from nationalist groups is other than just saying: 'We want a united Ireland and we welcome you'," said O’Toole.

Probability of Public Vote

McBride believes a national vote in his era is likely and that it could happen suddenly. "It is possible just a mad or a poor or a negligent government minister who declares: 'We should proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Each of the nationalists and unionists have reasonable, valid perspectives, he commented. "One side will prevail on this issue and somebody will in the end be defeated but all factions has possesses something to gain from the alternative positions."

Request for More Extensive Dialogue

Westminster needed to participate in the debate, stated O’Toole. "This is about Britain. It's a UK matter equally as it is an Irish question."