The third piece in our mini-series says that in the words of the Scottish manifesto, the party needs to be prepared to ‘think strategically’ about the future of the Union.
The second piece in our new mini-series looks at the strange bedfellows and hard choices for unionists, nationalists, Leavers and Remainers alike.
The first piece in a new mini-series looks at the challenges posed across the four nations by 2019’s political melee.
Open Europe’s new report offers a clear-eyed assessment of the practical and political hurdles the Prime Minister may face.
The Irish Government have failed to grasp the extent to which unionist concerns would be listened in London.
In the end, it may well prefer to hold out for a general election – and the likelihood of a Brexit delay – in the hope that something better turns up.
Ultimately, they may reveal less about Brexit and more about the longer-term trends in Northern Ireland’s political landscape.
New polling for Open Europe shows that the Tories have special reason to be wary of this consequence of a long extension.
The topic is being discussed – including at Cabinet – but that in itself is not convincing evidence that such a major change is imminent.
Rather than going over the heads of the Unionist parties, the Government needs to find a way to address their concerns.
The issue of the backstop is becoming more heated and harder to navigate as time goes by.
It knows that it can continue the policy of staying out of the institutions in Belfast and London without damaging its long-term strategy. Unionists need them to work.
It highlights primarily the increasingly difficulty capital-U Unionism faces appealing to a more diverse, less tribal Northern Ireland.
There’s division, doubt and danger surrounding the prospect of Brexit. What would Unionism look like afterwards?
The DUP and UUP are struggling adapt to the Province’s changing political circumstances, and the Alliance are the main beneficiaries.