The world reflects on the loss of John Hume today, so this overdue post is ready. The Irish people, and the Scots as well, need to thoroughly rethink their relation to the United Kingdom. After the world struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of what happens to the United Kingdom will be taken-up as a major project. There will be a binding referendum on Irish Unity before 2025. Breaking up the Union is no longer fringe talk, rumblings, murmurs or radical fantasies. It seems to to be on the verge of happening.

Gerry Adams repeated it so well a few weeks ago on his blog. Partition has to go. It no longer serves any logical political, cultural or economic purpose. Major events cause gradual significant change. The UK deciding to leave the European Union on the eve of a devastating pandemic will lead to Northern Ireland and Scotland leaving the Union.