Gerry Adams expects to see Irish unity within his own lifetime. This might entail a fairly long wait but he claims to detect signs already that, "a debate has started within unionism" on the issue. But I can see no indication whatever of such a debate. For most unionists Irish unity means the final defeat, surrender and humiliation of an honourable tradition and they will not consent to it.
Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP got it right when he said Irish unity had become a sectarian battle cry "scarred into the memory and psyche of a generation of our unionist neighbours as something negative; something the unionist community fought against and in many cases died to stop". The language of invitation was not used but rather attempts were made to intimidate with bombs and bullets. The legacy of this suffering could prove well nigh impossible to eradicate for future generations. Yet despite the vicious onslaughts, most unionists want better relationships but this is a far cry from territorial unity.
It is also questionable if Sinn Féin ever really wanted to see true unity as this could never be achieved through coercion. Whatever shape the future takes, it is accepted that unity could only be achieved through consensus. But no unionist can remain a unionist and seek Irish unity and independence for that would be a contradiction in terms.
Even for many nationalists unity is not a pressing matter. In fact many Catholics are wrongly designated as nationalists when in fact they are no such thing. Some unionists may describe themselves as republican but not in the Sinn Féin sense. Sinn Féin-style republicanism is another contradiction in terms given the heralded affinity with the Sinn Féin of 100 years ago. Sinn Féin leader Arthur Griffith accepted the concept of a dual monarchy, which makes it all very confusing. Nor is Ourselves Alone nationalism compatible with true republicanism.
Even if some form of territorial unity were possible within Gerry Adams's lifetime, by that stage it might seem an irrelevance. Come to think of it, formal territorial unity is fairly irrelevant already given better relationship here, between the parts of this island and between our islands. Today's world is an increasingly interdependent one – a process that is likely to continue. Few hanker after the deprivations that might accompany independence.
In any case, without the border and the Brits to whinge about, where would Sinn Féin be? They would have lost their raison d'etre and perhaps much of their support. Gerry Adams claims Sinn Féin is also about equality but their focus remains set on unity. I have often wondered how Sinn Féin could be serious about uniting Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter in any case. Having stopped bombing and shooting unionists some still speak belligerently and seem to want to shove Irish unity down people's throats.
The perception of being cajoled into something against people's will could be a major obstacle to unity. People will resist whatever appears to be thrust upon them and given our violent past the best contribution Sinn Féin could make might be to sit tight and say nothing. If Sinn Féin really wants unity they should stop trying to force history, support policing and law and order and reach out the hand of friendship at every conceivable opportunity without pre-condition.
Adams commendably urges republicans to engage fully with unionists but this does not necessarily entail any willingness to respect the needs and sensitivities of unionists who are to be manipulated into situations of Sinn Féin's choosing. To link engagement with any predetermined outcome would undermine the impact of any such engagement between our estranged peoples.
Dialogue can change people but it cannot change them in any predetermined direction. It can open minds but this capacity is weakened when participants stick to pre-set agendas. This has been a major bugbear in the peace process. Despite words to the contrary, Sinn Féin seems unable – publicly at least – to envisage outcomes that are not predicated on achievement of Irish unity and unionist defeat. This increases unionist stubbornness. When Adams urges supporters "to drive forward the united Ireland agenda" he abysmally fails to appreciate the negative impact such words have on unionists after the years of violence.
