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Ten years after the UK embarked on a rushed public vote that divided the country and unleashed turmoil, a caution is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Policymakers and electorate drifted into Brexit and the similar may happen with a national vote on a united Ireland, sparking disturbances for which nobody is ready.

That represents the warning from two prominent journalists from both sides of the Irish border who have collaborated to scrutinise the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Structures Not Ready

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have found that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are gravely ill-prepared for a potentially tense and seismic referendum.

"The key takeaway of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that stuff can emerge unexpectedly and can build support rapidly," O’Toole said. "It is my view that the institutional structure of our islands remains extremely volatile."

New Title Seeks to Stir Debate

The duo have analysed the governmental, economic and cultural reasons for any structural alteration in a volume, For and Against a United Ireland, issued by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to provoke discussion on the issue with a roadshow of public talks that will lead them to Westminster early next month.

"What troubles everyone, or should haunt every person, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," said the analyst.

"We should prevent a referendum on a binary, unclear proposal whose implications have not been spelled out because then you land with an extraordinarily polarised community where those defeated are not reconciled to losing and the people who have won are uncertain quite what it is that they have gained."

Legal Framework

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland secretary of state should call a public vote on Irish unity if it is indicated that a majority would support.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists claim this point is looming, and a group called Ireland’s Future has garnered backing, but both governments and unionists play down the possibility, leaving it unclear when or if there might be a referendum.

Absence of Serious Debate

Ideological statements for and against unity has obscured the absence of informed dialogue, noted the journalist.

"Individuals are often for or against the notion but the detailed consideration which could extend past that to realise it has largely not occurred. Much has gone on in scholarly circles but hardly any elected officials or activists want to engage with even the basics. For instance, what sort of state would you want? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Publication's Method

In the publication, no writer advocates unification or the existing arrangement. Both authors two articles that strive for objectivity in detailing the argument for a united Ireland and the argument opposing it, gathering financial and societal statistics, previous instances and structural examples.

Debates cover flags and symbols, duties, medical care, elderly benefits, public liabilities and the threat of unionist unrest. The goal is to inform and provoke conversation.

"There is significant curiosity in the subject but there hasn't quite been a dialogue," commented O’Toole. "Discussion implies an recognition of the idea that there could be reasonable perspectives on both sides."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the republic, where the electorate claim they favour unification but oppose increased taxation or adopting a alternative symbol to reflect pro-UK communities' British identity.

"The Irish government does need to establish what the proposal from Irish nationalism is beyond just saying: 'We desire a unified Ireland and we love you'," stated O’Toole.

Possibility of Public Vote

McBride believes a referendum in his generation is possible and that it may take place abruptly. "There might be just a reckless or a poor or a incompetent secretary of state who declares: 'Let us proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have reasonable, justified arguments, he commented. "One side will prevail in this matter and somebody will in the end not succeed but all factions has possesses valuable insights to acquire from the opposing viewpoints."

Appeal for Broader Discussion

Westminster needed to join the dialogue, stated the analyst. "This involves Britain. It is a UK matter just as much as it is an Irish question."