A former Ulster Unionist Party senator has said pro-unity nationalists should focus on making Northern Ireland work if they want unionists to engage in discussions about Irish unity. Ian Marshall, a past president of the Ulster Farmers' Union, made the remarks at an SDLP conference in Belfast on Thursday.

Marshall stated that the UK union is not over, a border poll is not imminent, and unity is not inevitable. However, he added that the future of the union is not guaranteed either. He argued that those advocating for unity often err by telling unionists that the current arrangement is broken, rather than presenting a better alternative. He likened it to a car salesman who sells a new vehicle by highlighting its advantages, not by criticising the customer's existing one.

He said political unionism finds it easier to defend the status quo because it is tangible, while unity remains aspirational. Marshall also warned that the greatest challenge facing both Britain and Ireland is the collapse of public trust in politics, exacerbated by short-term electoral cycles, Brexit divisions, and social media silos. He called for a new political culture that values long-term collaboration and honest dialogue.

Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded by agreeing with Marshall's points. He said unity supporters must demonstrate why a united Ireland would be better for everyone, and they should be prepared for the possibility that the union may be permanent. Varadkar also cautioned that constitutional change can happen quickly, quoting Vladimir Lenin's observation about decades passing uneventfully and weeks transforming decades. He cited historical examples such as German reunification, Indian independence, and the brief period between the Easter Rising and the creation of the Irish Free State, urging that Dublin should be ready.