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Ulster Unionist leader urges Irish Republic to rejoin British Commonwealth

Ulster Unionist Party chief Tom Elliott to discuss topic in Trinity

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Friday, March 2, 2012, 7:47 AM

Updated Friday, March 2, 2012, 7:48 AM

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Ulster Unionist Party chief Tom Elliott

Photo by Google Images

A leading Unionist politician in Northern Ireland has urged the Dublin government to consider re-joining the British Commonwealth.

Ulster Unionist Party chief Tom Elliott believes recent events, including the Queen’s visit, indicate Ireland could return to the Commonwealth family.

He is to discuss the suggestion as guest speaker at a Trinity College event to mark International Commonwealth Day on March 12th.

Elliott will focus his speech on the successful and historic state visit of the Queen to the south last

May and the warmth of the reception afforded to the British Monarch. Ireland left the Commonwealth in 1949 but Elliott believes it is time to return.

“The Queen’s visit to the Republic indicated a new relationship between the two states,” Elliott told the Belfast Newsletter.

“Developments during the past 15 years have witnessed a sea change in the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and also the Republic and the entire United Kingdom.

“The Queen’s visit to the Republic was a resounding success. She received a tremendous welcome wherever she went and some commentators were moved to raise the question of whether or not the Republic should rejoin the Commonwealth.

“As part of the Commonwealth the Republic would not only cement its new relationship with Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, but would join a family of over two billion people worldwide.”

Elliott has previously made the suggestion at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Dublin event organiser Robin Bury told the paper that Commonwealth Day is an opportunity to ‘promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of the Commonwealth’s organisations, which aim to improve the lives of its citizens’.

He said: “The theme for Commonwealth Day 2012 is Connecting Cultures and we are delighted that Mr Elliott will help us mark this year’s celebrations in Dublin.

“Ireland could use its impressive experience in world organisations like the UN to influence the future development of the Commonwealth, an organisation with 32 republics, radically changed since Ireland left.”

Nster.com

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cinderfella1 | Mar 07, 2012, 01:33 AM EST

Dear Mr. O'Loingsigh, A constitution is just a piece of paper and can be changed, ratified by the government, by the will of the people. Northern Ireland should do the right thing and submit peacefully to the Republic of Ireland, and it would help Ireland become a much more greater country. and maybe there could be like two capitals with Dublin being the Grand Capital for most of the year and Belfast three or four months of the year. and maybe some other things to help as well. I'm a protestant, but my great-grandfather was a catholic, and I don't really care who is who, but I do believe that there should not be any imaginary border,and that the entire country should be The Republic of Ireland. Erin Go Braugh! ps. Reconciliation, not by hate or bloodshed!

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DanOLoingsigh | Mar 06, 2012, 07:10 AM EST

cinderfella1 - just to update you, the constitution now reads that a united Ireland will happen 'only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people, democratically expressed'. So no need for NI to submit...when both sides agree to it, it will happen...

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DanOLoingsigh | Mar 06, 2012, 07:02 AM EST

cinderfella1 - You should already know about your 'Irish descendants', maybe it's your 'Irish ancestors' she told you about? Don't put off visiting too long...get the plans made, and do it:)

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sirpeter | Mar 06, 2012, 06:53 AM EST

brianmacintosh.I can safely say I'm a far more important speck of dust in the universe than Steve Jobs is at the moment.I won't be taking Mr.Jobs advice.He's so mellowed out he's dead.So are you still a big fan of England?Or do I still have to release the hounds *Taps button under desk

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seanomelb | Mar 06, 2012, 03:25 AM EST

The nihilist briamack!! does that mean Jobs and Gates are bigger specks of dust than sirpeter. The dangers of the thinking man, I think!!

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cinderfella1 | Mar 06, 2012, 01:42 AM EST

Is Tom Elliott crazy? If that happens then All the Irish, who lost their lives during the Easter Rising and rebellion would strictly be in vain. And although the economy may seem like gloom and doom ,the Irish will survive! In fact, why doesn't Northern Ireland submit and become the Republic of Ireland. The British are always supporting Nelson Mandela and his causes, yet they won't budge an inch for the Irish. If they want to compromise, maybe Dublin could be the capital for 8 or 9 months of the year and Belfast the other months. Although I've never been to Ireland and I have an English last name, St. Patrick's Day has always been my favorite day of the year, and my mother is proud to be Irish,and has told me about my irish descendants on my maternal side of the family. When I was eight years old, my mother sewed me an Irish flag, which looks nothing like the Irish flag;however, I've kept it ever since, and I'm proud to be Irish and hopefully one day will visit "The Emerald Isle". GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND!

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brianmack | Mar 05, 2012, 08:28 PM EST

Saltpeter, like most of us who are Irish, you think too much and forget that we are just speck's of dust in the universe. We're really not that important. Perhaps you should take the advice that Mr. Jobs gave Mr. Gates. It might mellow you out.

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merefalow | Mar 05, 2012, 05:47 PM EST

f.o

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Curitiba | Mar 05, 2012, 05:31 PM EST

Perhaps the UK should join the Republic of Ireland! The new nation could be called The Republic of Ireland and Great Britain and would be ruled from Dublin. How does that sound?

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sirpeter | Mar 05, 2012, 02:21 PM EST

Brianmack so you thought my response was brillent!! *Cage opening to hounds slam shut again*.Hmmmmmmm!!.Possible re-programming with Irish bitterness should do the trick.Get the book of British bad deeds Smithers. ;))

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ancavker | Mar 05, 2012, 11:35 AM EST

Whether Ireland should or should not rejoin, who cares. The south has far more pressing problems now than joining some chatter shop. And of course they cannot afford it.How much will it cost to the taxpayers?

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dublinthomas | Mar 05, 2012, 09:38 AM EST

As the article mentions, the Commonwealth consists of many republics, so if Ireland joined the country would still be a republic and would not have to bare allegiance to anyone in any country including the UK. Culturally it would be of benefit to Ireland as an English speaking country. For the unionists in the the north, Ireland would not seem such a foreign country. I think everyone will win For unionists ireland would not a foreign country , WOULD YOU GET A GRIP HANG YOUR HEAD SHAME MAN to call yourself a feckin Irishman , they live in fecking Ireland .. why should we put a hand out to those hateful Unionist when they never ever gave a hand of peace out to us ..They relish in our downfall , dont ever say that in Ireland because you might not afford the hospital bill . please Unionists pizz off!!!!!!!!!

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IrelandNorth | Mar 05, 2012, 07:25 AM EST

With the rise of Scotish and Welsh nationalisms (and the rise of Australian, Canadian, English and New Zealand republicanism), all the Queen's horses and all the Queen's men can't stick her crumbling realm back togther again. Ergo. Play the Irish unity card as constitutional superglue. Dress the British "Northern Ireland" (sic) subvention up as a loan to Ireland, and save the British Empire (Commonwealth in drag) from the inconvenient truth of democracy.

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DaithiSuibhne | Mar 04, 2012, 10:37 PM EST

ps. If they weren't in the pub they were under'House Arrest'.

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DaithiSuibhne | Mar 04, 2012, 10:21 PM EST

When the queen visited the 'Republic' only a handful of people were there to greet her royal ass. The real 'Irish' citizens were in a quiet pub without a f*#k^*g thought about her. Since all the Garda were watching for subversives I am quite sure the overtime pay was substantial, so all the security forces were very pleased with her visit.But to even suggest the 'Republic' rejoin the 'commonwealth' just shows how out of touch these 'Unionist' really are!

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