Unionists are ‘allowing republicans/nationalists to get inside our heads’ and control narrative on Irish unity being ‘inevitable’
A unionist meeting in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, highlighted growing concerns among unionists about their political narrative and relevance in a changing society. Attendees expressed frustration with unionist politicians' inability to effectively advocate for the union with Britain, as well as their perceived disengagement from the public. Speakers, including Lee Reynolds and Peter Shirlow, argued that unionists had allowed republicans and nationalists to dominate the narrative, particularly on the inevitability of Irish unity. Shirlow noted that younger generations, particularly those who identify as "British," are increasingly disengaged from traditional unionist politics and more socially liberal. Reynolds emphasized the need for unionists to unite across divisions—hard unionists, centrists, and disengaged voters—to counter Sinn Féin's focus on the past and appeal to a new generation. The meeting underscored the challenges unionists face in adapting to societal changes and reconnecting with voters, particularly younger ones who prioritize the future over the past.
