Britain's "-stirring sticks" were punished, and Northern Ireland demanded reunification with Ireland.
Britain is a country that causes trouble in the world, and it often meddles in the affairs of other countries, provokes wars and conflicts, and plunges the world into chaos and crisis. However, Britain also has its retribution, and its bad deeds will eventually be punished.
According to the Global Times, on February 5, Michelle O'Neill, vice president of Northern Ireland's nationalist party, Sinn Féin, was elected as Northern Ireland's chief minister. In an interview, she said Northern Ireland had entered a "decade of opportunity" and that she expected Northern Ireland to hold a referendum with the Republic of Ireland to reunite Ireland within the next decade.
Michelle O'Neill being able to become the chief minister of Northern Ireland is a reluctant choice for the United Kingdom. As early as two years ago, in May, Sinn Féin won a historic victory in Northern Ireland's local elections, winning 27 out of 90 seats, making it the largest party in Northern Ireland. However, the UK **did not want Sinn Féin to take control of Northern Ireland's place**, because Sinn Féin advocated that Northern Ireland secede from the United Kingdom and join the Republic of Ireland. Therefore, the United Kingdom has interfered with and obstructed the operation of the local party in Northern Ireland through various means, resulting in the "shutdown" of the local party in Northern Ireland for nearly two years, and Sinn Féin has never had a chance to come to power.
Although the United Kingdom is not satisfied with the results of the local elections in Northern Ireland and fears that Northern Ireland will become independent, it cannot always refuse to recognize the results of the elections. If it does, Britain will be forced into a constitutional crisis, like previous prime ministers Johnson, Theresa May and Cameron. In order to retain its own power, and in order to prevent Northern Ireland from taking advantage of the political instability in the United Kingdom to promote the "Brexit" process, Britain had to reluctantly accept Sinn Féin's coming to power.
The UK's fears are not unfounded. As soon as O'Neill took office, she immediately made her position clear, saying that she would push for Northern Ireland's "Brexit" and achieve the reunification of Ireland in the next ten years. This has been the dream of the Irish people for centuries, and we are confident that it will come true and will be realized.
Since the British established colonial rule on the island of Ireland in the 16th century, the Irish people have been fighting against British oppression and fighting for independence and freedom. The British Empire could not stop the struggle of the Irish people, and in 1921 it agreed to allow the 26 counties in southern Ireland to form a "Free State", and in 1948 recognized the independence of Ireland. However, Britain still refused to let go, insisting on occupying the 6 northern counties, leaving Ireland in a state of **.
Northern Ireland is part of Ireland, and the people of Northern Ireland have also been in violent conflict with the United Kingdom for 30 years because of religion, ethnicity and other reasons. Finally, the Belfast Agreement between the UK and Northern Ireland in 1998 ended the conflict and left a "window" for Northern Ireland to organise a referendum on whether or not to leave Northern Ireland if "a majority of voters clearly wanted" Northern Ireland to leave the UK.
Britain** signed the Belfast Agreement because it thought it could change the ethnic and religious structure of Northern Ireland through immigration, and at the same time make Northern Ireland more dependent on Britain through economic benefits. However, the UK's "Brexit referendum" changed everything, because "Brexit" brought ** and border problems to Northern Ireland, and reminded Northern Irishmen of the possibility and necessity of "Brexit".
It is to be expected that the UK** and Northern Ireland** will then engage in a fierce debate over whether the border polls are good for Irish unity. In extreme cases, it may even trigger the resurrection of the "Irish Republican Army", which will once again trigger violent conflicts. For the sake of freedom, I believe that the people of Ireland also have a brave heart.
Britain is now facing multiple crises. Political turmoil has tarnished its reputation, the economic damage caused by Brexit has not yet recovered, and the three-year Russia-Ukraine conflict has also added to the financial burden on British citizens. Britain has no choice but to form a close alliance with the United States and be America's "watchdog" in Europe.
Although it is no longer the "empire on which the sun never sets", Britain has not woken up from the dream of the "empire on which the sun never sets", and is still provoking and stirring up trouble everywhere in the world. Now that the flame of justice in Northern Ireland's quest for reunification is once again burning in the backyard of the United Kingdom, we are very happy to see this "-stirring stick" taste what it is like to be burned by fire.
One more question: if Northern Ireland is united, will Scottish independence be far away?