Lord Kilclooney, former deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and ex-MP and MEP from Armagh, called on unionists to prepare for a possible united Ireland. He wrote in response to Dr Esmond Birnie's criticism of his prediction that a united Ireland is coming and unionism will not survive.

Lord Kilclooney argued that unionists should not respond with violence to such a change. He stated that supporters of a united Ireland must adjust their expectations for it to happen.

He listed factors pointing to the possibility. English society has undergone major changes, he said, and Great Britain no longer wants Northern Ireland in the UK.

In Northern Ireland, higher birth rates among Irish Catholics, now declining, have equalized support for a united Ireland and remaining in the UK. This shifts the balance to new immigrant arrivals.

Lord Kilclooney noted that the Ulster Unionist Party and DUP boycott community meetings with immigrants, while SDLP and Alliance attend. He questioned whether immigrants would vote for a united Ireland or to stay in the UK.

Religion is declining across the island of Ireland, north and south, he added.

Dr Birnie claimed there is no basis for Lord Kilclooney's view on a united Ireland. Lord Kilclooney responded that unionists avoid facts at a cost.