Also: Welsh and Scottish Labour throw their weight behind EU referendum re-run after poll drubbing; UUP and Sinn Fein leaders in trouble.
In both countries, the votes of both Labour and especially the Conservatives have been squeezed between the Brexiteers and the separatists.
The topic is being discussed – including at Cabinet – but that in itself is not convincing evidence that such a major change is imminent.
Also: Pro-UK think-tanks torpedoes SNP’s economic case for independence; Plaid suffers ‘major rift’ as MP savages Wood; and more.
Crucially, opinion is not just divided between Leave and Remain, but between the Province and the mainland.
Continuing our series on the key contests in each region and nation.
The general election may have put the latest crisis on hold, but the dominance of Stormont’s ‘big two’ will keep causing problems.
The DUP, UUP, and SDLP all have seats they could lose in the right circumstances. Sinn Fein probably don’t.
They’ve fumbled a strong unionist position into a serious setback. Let it at least provoke a long-overdue shake-up in capital-U Unionist thinking.
Also: Merkel ally threatens ‘divide and rule’ approach to Ulster; SNP put far-right extremist on candidates list; Labour expel members fighting Northern Irish election; and more.
Yes, it’s a regional party. But the EU referendum was a UK-wide vote, so of course it bought ads in Edinburgh and London.
Also: Labour slumps to lowest levels in Welsh polls since last days of Brown’s premiership; and Scottish Tories accuse SNP of a ‘wasted decade’.
The referendum is a truly national political event, and how the Home Nations vote will shape not only the outcome on the night but its impact on the UK afterwards.
Also: Villiers dismisses Sinn Fein call for border poll; Labour and Plaid strike deal to re-select Jones as First Minister; ex-SNP minister claims Lockerbie bomber release was bid for powers; and more.
Ultimately, they may reveal less about Brexit and more about the longer-term trends in Northern Ireland’s political landscape.