This Union: A Sea Between Us

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This Union

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A collection of programmes from each of the four nations exploring the future of the UK

This Union, exploring the state of the union and the future of the UK through a collection of series from each of the four nations.

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This Union: A Sea Between Us: Episode 3

Episode 3

A Sea Between Us

BBC Radio 4 - This Union, A Sea Between Us, Episode 3

In Northern Ireland's centenary year, Andrea Catherwood asks what unionism means now

Andrea Catherwood crosses the Irish Sea and goes back home to Northern Ireland to ask what unionism means now and explore some of the challenges it faces

Like many among her generation who grew up during the Troubles, Andrea Catherwood chose a future outside of Northern Ireland. When Andrea left home, the IRA was still active and the talks which would lead to the Good Friday Belfast Agreement had yet to begin. Back then, the prospect of a united Ireland seemed remote and unionist parties enjoyed a comfortable majority at the polls.

Now, the combined unionist parties have lost their majority in the Stormont Assembly. The DUP and the UUP have had five new leaders between them in the last six months. Calls for a referendum on Irish unity are becoming increasingly amplified and its outcome could be determined by an increasing number of voters who no longer identify as unionist or nationalist. The creation of new trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK has been blamed for triggering Loyalist violence and unionists say it threatens Northern Ireland's constitutional status within the UK. In this, Northern Ireland's centenary year, unionism may have reached a critical turning point.

Andrea Catherwood crosses the Irish Sea and goes back home to Northern Ireland to ask what unionism means now and explore some of the challenges it faces.

In programme three, Andrea meets some of those from a traditionally pro-union background, who now say they're agnostic about Northern Ireland's place in the UK and would vote pragmatically if there were a future referendum on Irish unity.    

Producer: Conor Garrett

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In Northern Ireland's centenary year, Andrea Catherwood asks what unionism means now.

In Northern Ireland's centenary year, Andrea Catherwood crosses the Irish Sea home to Belfast to ask if unionism is at a turning point and ask what the future holds.

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