Kevin Meagher

Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Opinionist. Commentary and snippets on British and Irish politics. Author: 'What A Bloody Awful Country…’ and ‘A United Ireland…’

Articles

How do we chart a path to a Border Poll and win it?

2 weeks ago | irishborderpoll.com | Kevin Meagher

IntroductionI have two visual metaphors for Irish unity. The first, is a piece of driftwood caught in the surf. Its tantalisingly close, just out of reach. It frustrates as it seems to get closer before pulling back again. But it will land on the shore. It’s inevitable, given the elemental forces pushing it along. An incoming tide only goes in one direction. The second, is a record producer’s mixing desk. It’s all dials and switches. Lots of permutations.
Polls apart - Irish Border Poll

1 month ago | irishborderpoll.com | Kevin Meagher

It seemed a perfectly logical assumption to me…Asked in an interview with the Agenda NI publication whether opinion polls would form part of the decision-making about calling a future border poll, Northern Ireland Minister Fleur Anderson (Hillary Benn’s deputy) confirmed that, yes, ‘it would be based on opinion polls.’Commendably clear and straight-forward.
The North is failing the South is booming . Let’s Reunite?

1 month ago | irishborderpoll.com | Kevin Meagher

I was on BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme yesterday with the ever-excellent William Crawley, discussing the recent Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report, which compares living standards between Northern and southern Ireland. Also on the segment was Dr Esmond Birnie, the University of Ulster economist and former Ulster Unionist MLA.
How do we solve a problem like Micheál?

1 month ago | irishborderpoll.com | Kevin Meagher

So then, no border poll for the foreseeable future – perhaps not even in fifty years! That’s the upshot of a recent interview with Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph/Irish Independent’s Sam McBride.
Despite Allister’s goading, Starmer says as little as possible on NI

Feb 5, 2025 | irishborderpoll.com | Kevin Meagher

Kevin Meagher explains how PM Starmer’s response to a question from the TUV leader shows how British politicians care little about Union with the North of Ireland. Jim Allister got up at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons last week, seemingly oblivious that his attempts at being clever and snarky just don’t play in the chamber.
Five things Sinn Fein got wrong (and four fixes)

Jan 30, 2025 | irishborderpoll.com | Kevin Meagher

Kevin Meagher reflects on what went wrong for SF in the recent election and what they need to do right in preparation for the next election. As the party most closely associated with and supportive of Irish unity, the fate of Sinn Fein should matter to all United Irelanders, whether they vote for them or not. So last November’s general election to the 34th Dáil was a disappointment, plain and simple.
Forget 2024 Election. Focus on 2029

Dec 6, 2024 | irishborderpoll.com | Kevin Meagher

There’s been some gloating from obvious quarters about the Irish election result and the relatively poor performance from Sinn Féin and, well, there seems little point dressing it up. The party underperformed relative to its polling since the last Irish general election in 2020.
The Election: 5 takeaways

Dec 3, 2024 | irishborderpoll.com | Kevin Meagher

Kevin Meagher reflects on that election and is already thinking about the next one!1. First and foremost, this was not a ‘change’ election. Older Irish voters are a contented lot. And content, certainly, to let their children and grandchildren swing in an overheated housing market that is forcing many to flee the country in despair. So, apple carts were unturned. Traces left unkicked. And with a miserly turnout of just 59.7%, the Irish were not desperate enough for change, so didn’t vote for it. 2.
The assisted suicide Bill is an ethical Rubicon. Let’s not cross it

Nov 29, 2024 | labour-uncut.co.uk | Kevin Meagher

by Kevin MeagherTellingly, the House of Commons website carries a warning about the research briefing on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, due to receive its Second Reading in the House of Commons today. ‘This briefing discusses issues around suicide which some readers may find distressing,’ it intones in bold writing. It’s grim subject matter to be sure, but there is still a need for candour. We are talking about ending human life, courtesy of the state’s healthcare professionals.
Public statues are for the birds

Sep 20, 2024 | irishpost.com | Kevin Meagher

I’M never really a fan of public statues. They always seem grandiose and invariably end up as a toilet for disrespectful pigeons and seagulls. Then there’s the problem of the nature of the person they depict, what they did and how that is now perceived through contemporary eyes. For instance, the continued existence of a statue of Oliver Cromwell outside the House of Parliament (controversial even when it was first erected in 1899) is an insult to every Irish person entering the building.

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Kevin Meagher @KevinPMeagher

30 May 25

'For the SDLP, the unity debate isn’t just a traditional unionist/nationalist one. It’s how you get Northern Ireland back into the EU. 'For us, it is good political sense to focus energy and attention on the question of a new Ireland.' https://t.co/tGW5Q5X3QQ

Kevin Meagher @KevinPMeagher

29 May 25

Israel has destroyed its international reputation, with so many long term consequences. Awful.

Sky News @SkyNews

BREAKING: Israel says it will establish 22 new settlements in the West Bank https://t.co/mHZn7TDekz 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/U5pCHow9jM

Kevin Meagher @KevinPMeagher

29 May 25

Utterly appalling.

Sandra Adams @AdamsSandr4794

There is something deeply disturbing about the desecration of any religious icon. You don't have to be Christian to find this distasteful. Why would @AbbVieIreland @IrishRail @MayoCoCo support this? @SenatorMcDowell @RonanMullen https://t.co/6JYfjZvCHF https://t.co/BYyLF4bDxj

Kevin Meagher

Articles

How do we chart a path to a Border Poll and win it?

Polls apart - Irish Border Poll

The North is failing the South is booming . Let’s Reunite?

How do we solve a problem like Micheál?

Despite Allister’s goading, Starmer says as little as possible on NI

Five things Sinn Fein got wrong (and four fixes)

Forget 2024 Election. Focus on 2029

The Election: 5 takeaways

The assisted suicide Bill is an ethical Rubicon. Let’s not cross it

Public statues are for the birds

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Emails

Socials & Sites

X (formerly Twitter)