Would a border poll actually deliver a united Ireland?

Andy Burnham may be new to the job in Number 10 Downing Street, but he’s already found himself at the centre of a political row over one of the most sensitive issues on this island: Irish unity. The British prime minister’s unequivocal dismissal of any prospect of a border poll has reignited a long-running debate about who gets to decide Northern Ireland’s future, and when that moment should come. But strip away the politics, and one question remains: in an Ireland that’s changing socially and demographically, would a vote for unity actually succeed? Is there a genuine appetite for a united Ireland north and south of the Border? And what can past referendums and reunification projects across Europe tell us about the challenges ahead? On today’s Indo Daily, Tessa Fleming is joined by the Irish Independent‘s John Downing to examine the question that has shaped Irish politics for generations: could a border poll actually deliver a united Ireland? The Indo Daily is part of The Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism