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SDLP leader Claire Hanna (Liam McBurney\/PA)<\/p>\nIt will be at political unionism\u2019s \u201cperil\u201d to forget about \u201csmall-u unionists\u201d who are becoming increasingly apathetic, a panel discussion about Irish unity has heard.<\/p>\n
Brexit and the prospect of a Nigel Farage-led UK Government were cited as factors that were \u201cradicalising\u201d some within Northern Ireland\u2019s unionist community to consider opting for a united Ireland.<\/p>\n
The comments came during an event titled Is Irish Unity Inevitable? as part of F\u00e9ile an Phobail on Thursday.<\/p>\n
SDLP leader Claire Hanna (Liam McBurney\/PA)<\/p>\n
SDLP leader Claire Hanna told those at the event at St Mary\u2019s University College that she is finding \u201csubstantial\u201d numbers of new members and engagers who are \u201cnot from a traditional SDLP background\u201d, noting that identity is \u201cless binding\u201d, and people are \u201cexcited to build something new\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, she also cautioned that as well as work needed to secure a yes vote in an Irish unity referendum in Northern Ireland, effort is also needed on a parallel unity referendum in the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is definitely a push factor from political unionism \u2013 hostility to Irishness, Irish culture, to ethnic diversity, LGBT issues, which absolutely switches people off,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd there is a sense of them being a strategic disaster in terms of things like Brexit and the management of it, so people are open to persuasion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Hanna warned against a \u201cflip of partition\u201d and an attitude of \u201cwe have the numbers now, and you\u2019re stuck with it\u201d, instead co-designing a new Ireland.<\/p>\n
She said the Republic of Ireland has shown an \u201cincredible capacity for change\u201d in terms of ethnic diversity and social change, adding the \u201clast big project is going to be embracing a tolerance of British identity and northern identity\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, reconciliation has to be a way of living; a lot of it is empathy \u2026 we have to understand this is a big thing for people. We do have to be empathetic towards people and towards the change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former UUP councillor Linzi McLaren said she has experienced abuse from some in the unionist community for engaging in the debate around a new Ireland.<\/p>\n
It is at political unionism’s peril to forget about those people because there are so many of us<\/p>\n
Linzi McLaren<\/p>\n
But she said the \u201cpotential she sees in a new Ireland for all the people of Northern Ireland and the south is so incredible that it is worth every second of the abuse I get\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am certainly prepared to take it on the chin on behalf of those who are scared to speak up,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI often say what will determine a border poll will be demographics, but also the middle ground, unionists with a small u who feel they are politically homeless because political unionism doesn\u2019t represent them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s too extreme for them; they don\u2019t particularly like loyalism, they have no interest in going to the bands or bonfires, are horrified by the race riots and the burning of homes, but who do they vote for?<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd also those who are so fed up with politics they almost have adopted an apathy towards politics and are sitting in the middle waiting for someone to convince them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is at political unionism\u2019s peril to forget about those people because there are so many of us.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a Protestant doesn\u2019t automatically make you a Unionist; there are lots of Protestants in that middle ground who would be more than happy to have the conversation about a new Ireland, and actually more than happy to call themselves a nationalist.\u201d<\/p>\n
Writer Claire Mitchell said a number of Protestants she knows are \u201cunity curious\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said she feels that unionism is a \u201cproject of political conservatism\u201d, adding that, with having a close friend who is transgender, she does not feel part of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe job of the unity movement is to create safe spaces where people can explore relationships without judgment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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