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NEW REPORT
Following 14 months of research, deliberation, interviews and consultation, the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland launches its interim report.
Report: bit.ly/3nWfRiC
Here is the report distilled into a summary thread 👇
NEW REPORT
Following 14 months of research, deliberation, interviews and consultation, the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland launches its interim report.
Report: bit.ly/3nWfRiC
Here is the report distilled into a summary thread 👇
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What’s the report about?🤔
It explores how any future referendum on Northern Ireland’s constitutional status would best be designed and conducted.
The Group is neutral on whether a unification referendum should be held & on what the outcome should be.
What’s the report about?🤔
It explores how any future referendum on Northern Ireland’s constitutional status would best be designed and conducted.
The Group is neutral on whether a unification referendum should be held & on what the outcome should be.
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What is the Working Group?
The Group comprises researchers at universities in Belfast, Dublin, London, & USA, chaired by Unit Deputy Director @alanjrenwick
It is independent of both governments and all political parties.
Alan explains more in this 📹
What is the Working Group?
The Group comprises researchers at universities in Belfast, Dublin, London, & USA, chaired by Unit Deputy Director @alanjrenwick
It is independent of both governments and all political parties.
Alan explains more in this 📹
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The report examines the legal rules for referendums north and south of the border, and assesses different ways of designing them based on the following criteria:
▪️ procedural legitimacy
▪️ stability
▪️ simplicity
▪️ informed choice
▪️ inclusivity.
The report examines the legal rules for referendums north and south of the border, and assesses different ways of designing them based on the following criteria:
▪️ procedural legitimacy
▪️ stability
▪️ simplicity
▪️ informed choice
▪️ inclusivity.
5/
Key 🔑conclusions from the report 👇
Unification could come about only through referendums in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Key 🔑conclusions from the report 👇
Unification could come about only through referendums in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
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Referendums on the future of the island of Ireland should only be held with a clear plan for what follows.
Such a plan would be agreed by the two governments, working closely with the full range of actors
Referendums on the future of the island of Ireland should only be held with a clear plan for what follows.
Such a plan would be agreed by the two governments, working closely with the full range of actors
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The framework for holding a referendum in N.Ireland is in the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. It says that a majority of 50% + 1 would be required to change the status quo.
Planning of referendums & what comes after should be as consensual as possible.
The framework for holding a referendum in N.Ireland is in the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. It says that a majority of 50% + 1 would be required to change the status quo.
Planning of referendums & what comes after should be as consensual as possible.
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In deciding whether to call a referendum in N.Ireland, the Secretary of State for N.Ireland would have to reflect on a range of evidence, including election results, opinion polls & votes in the NI Assembly. The report makes suggestions on how to approach this judgment
In deciding whether to call a referendum in N.Ireland, the Secretary of State for N.Ireland would have to reflect on a range of evidence, including election results, opinion polls & votes in the NI Assembly. The report makes suggestions on how to approach this judgment
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After analysing dozens of possible referendum configurations, the group has identified three warranting an in-depth an analysis, as summarised by Working Group member @haywardkaty in this video
vimeo.com/483515293
After analysing dozens of possible referendum configurations, the group has identified three warranting an in-depth an analysis, as summarised by Working Group member @haywardkaty in this video
vimeo.com/483515293
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It would be for the Irish government to develop proposals for the form of a united Ireland. Either it could propose a model in advance, or it could propose a process through which a model would be worked out afterwards.
It would be for the Irish government to develop proposals for the form of a united Ireland. Either it could propose a model in advance, or it could propose a process through which a model would be worked out afterwards.
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If voters opted for unification, the British & Irish governments would negotiate the terms of the transfer of sovereignty. The governments should consult widely and seek as consensual an approach as possible. @EtainTannam gives us the overview on British-Irish cooperation.
If voters opted for unification, the British & Irish governments would negotiate the terms of the transfer of sovereignty. The governments should consult widely and seek as consensual an approach as possible. @EtainTannam gives us the overview on British-Irish cooperation.
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The rules for referendum and election campaigns are badly out of date in the UK & Ireland, and urgently need to be strengthened.
This is just one of the many legal questions that will need to be considered before any referendum, as explored by WG member @dkennytcd
The rules for referendum and election campaigns are badly out of date in the UK & Ireland, and urgently need to be strengthened.
This is just one of the many legal questions that will need to be considered before any referendum, as explored by WG member @dkennytcd
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Read the Working Group’s detailed analysis and conclusions in the full report or short Executive Summary here: bit.ly/374xRQZ
Read the Working Group’s detailed analysis and conclusions in the full report or short Executive Summary here: bit.ly/374xRQZ
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Check out a NEW blogpost authored by the Chair of the Working Group and Deputy Director @alanjrenwick here:
bit.ly/3q5DneX
Check out a NEW blogpost authored by the Chair of the Working Group and Deputy Director @alanjrenwick here:
bit.ly/3q5DneX
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The report kicks off a consultation period, running until 18 January. Find out more: bit.ly/3pRximd
ENDS
The report kicks off a consultation period, running until 18 January. Find out more: bit.ly/3pRximd
ENDS
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