A People Under Siege The Unionists of Northern Ireland, from Partition to Brexit and Beyond
, by Edwards, AaronNote: Supplemental materials are not guaranteed with Rental or Used book purchases.
- ISBN: 9781785372995 | 1785372998
- Cover: Paperback
- Copyright: 5/29/2023
The Brexit referendum of 2016 triggered one of the most profound
constitutional crises in modern British history. A wave of populist
nationalism gave way to political and economic instability, throwing
the future of the United Kingdom into sharp relief. The Scottish
National Party saw an opportunity to press for a second referendum
on Scottish independence with Irish republicans lobbying the British
Government for a border poll in a move to help secure their goal of
a United Ireland. For Unionists in Northern Ireland, a referendum that
began on the question of sovereignty quickly degenerated into cries
of betrayal and a redrawn border in the Irish Sea.
Extraordinary uncertainty now hangs over the future of the Union
between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland’ s
centenary year, military and political historian Aaron Edwards, a
native of Belfast, explores the profound challenges facing Unionists.
He reflects upon the past century of political turbulence on these
islands, the effects of Republican violence on the Unionist psyche
and the embattlement of a people who believe themselves to be
once again under siege.