Border Poll Perspectives: Post-Brexit Northern Ireland and the Irish (Re-)Unification Debate

 On Thursday 25^th July, the School of Law hosted a seminar entitled, “Border Poll Perspectives”, reviewing the legal, socio-economic and political context for a potential border poll in Northern Ireland and Ireland after Brexit.

Following introductions by Dr Conor McCormick, the focus moved to Dr Colin Murray and  Professor Aoife O’Donoghue’s ongoing research into “Life After Brexit” and to Mr Alan Whysall’s report entitled, “A Northern Ireland Border Poll.” Each speaker discussed the historical context surrounding the idea of a border poll, and the issues that would need to be considered before a border poll could take place. Dr Murray and Professor O’Donoghue specifically examined how a border poll would have to be carried out accordance with the principle of consent embodied in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998. Mr Whysall discussed current public opinion on the prospect of a border poll, together with further aspects of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement that would prescribe the framework for such a poll.

Dr Colin Murray is a Reader in Public Law at Newcastle Law School. For more information, visit his profile on the Newcastle Law School website.

Professor Aoife O’Donoghue is a Professor of International Law and Global Governance at Durham Law School. For more information, visit her profile on the Durham University Law School website.

Mr Alan Whysall is an Honorary Senior Research Associate with the Constitution Unit at University College London. For more information, visit his profile on the University College London website.