Dr. Claire Mitchell:

When I speak to unionists and loyalists about the blocking points for getting into this debate, very open-minded unionists and loyalists will point to the housing crisis and ask why they would go from one state with structural problems into another. As some of the problems in the Republic begin to be repaired, and the citizens' assembly or whatever work begins to produce something of more substance to speak about, unionists would not have to come down here to speak about flags and emblems, although some may do so. We can all see that something is in the ether and changing. There might not be Irish unity but things can happen in a heartbeat and unexpectedly. I believe there are unionists who will want to have some role in shaping this, even if it is in a quieter way, but it is hard at present for them to know what to speak about. Why come here to speak about how much you love being British? Certainly a Bill of Rights and such things come under the agenda. Healthcare might arise in a meaningful way with regard to learning from both models. That would be relevant. I do not know whether we would need representatives of political unionism to do this. It could be people from various backgrounds.