Wednesday, June 29, 2005
'What If'? Wednesday - Presidential Vote
I'd like to once more raise an issue relating to the Irish presidency, namely this key question - what if the six counties in the North were allowed have a say on the Irish presidency?
Below are what I see to be potential benefits and drawbacks to the idea:
Benefits
- Gives increased legitimacy to the all-Ireland argument.
- Highlights to northern nationalists that the Republic respects them and their Irishness.
- Fixes the ludicrous situation in which we can have a president born in the North yet at the same time deny others from the North a vote on the presidential race.
- Highlights to Unionists that nationalism is heading in the right direction and is not pursuing its objectives in an aggressive way.
- Finally gives northern nationalists a Head of State that they can identify with.
Drawbacks
- Some Unionists would likely be hostile to the idea and most would likely snub the opportunity to vote if it came along.
- It's doubtful that there would be many Unionists interested in running for the Presidency if offered the oportunity.
Overall though I feel the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks and I think it's something worth pursuing. What do you think?
Below are what I see to be potential benefits and drawbacks to the idea:
Benefits
- Gives increased legitimacy to the all-Ireland argument.
- Highlights to northern nationalists that the Republic respects them and their Irishness.
- Fixes the ludicrous situation in which we can have a president born in the North yet at the same time deny others from the North a vote on the presidential race.
- Highlights to Unionists that nationalism is heading in the right direction and is not pursuing its objectives in an aggressive way.
- Finally gives northern nationalists a Head of State that they can identify with.
Drawbacks
- Some Unionists would likely be hostile to the idea and most would likely snub the opportunity to vote if it came along.
- It's doubtful that there would be many Unionists interested in running for the Presidency if offered the oportunity.
Overall though I feel the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks and I think it's something worth pursuing. What do you think?
# posted by United Irelander @ 3:04 AM 
© 2008 United Irelander.
