Northern Ireland: Brexit, Borders And Back To The Future
Management Today|February/March 2017

The province faces damaging trade tariffs and a return to restrictions on movement between the north and the south after the uk leaves the eu. There may be trouble ahead, says matthew gwyther.

Matthew Gwyther
Northern Ireland: Brexit, Borders And Back To The Future

When we all woke up on 24 June last year, few were more surprised than the inhabitants of Northern Ireland. The population there voted heavily for Remain: 55.8% to stay put, 44.2% to Leave. But the province is small and lacks clout. Accounting for a mere 789,879 votes of the 33,577,342 UK total, the Northern Irish are now living with a Brexit reality the implications of which are even more profound than those faced by other Brits over on the mainland.

Set apart across the Irish Sea, Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK – Gibraltar aside – to share a land border with another EU member, the Irish Republic. This distance and difference leads many Northern Irish to believe they are of marginal significance to those in England, especially those in Westminster. The divisive importance of religion emphasises that sense of otherness. Catholic and republican Sinn Féin was strongly for Remain. The DUP was for leaving but clearly did not take anything like the whole Protestant population with it – the current religious split is thought to be 48% Protestant and 45% Catholic.

Since the Good Friday Agreement of 1999 and an end to The Troubles – which had caused the deaths of more than 3,500 people since 1969 – Northern Ireland’s economy has edged forward. The centres of Belfast and Londonderry are buzzing with a new ‘cappuccino culture’ and appear, in some ways, barely recognisable from the bad old days. The majority of growth since 1999 has been thanks to EU largesse. The North received almost £2.5bn in the last EU handout round and a further £2bn had been promised before 2020. This is now in doubt.

Esta historia es de la edición February/March 2017 de Management Today.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición February/March 2017 de Management Today.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE MANAGEMENT TODAYVer todo
The Future Of Talent
Management Today

The Future Of Talent

As we face a fast-changing world of work, organisations will need new skills, capabilities and leadership. MT in association with CEB put together a panel of experts to discuss how best to attract and retain the best people.

time-read
7 minutos  |
December/January 2016-17
Crispin Tweddell
Management Today

Crispin Tweddell

The founder of Pitcher & Piano and private equity firm Piper has an enviable track record as an investor in growing consumer businesses. What’s the secret of his success?

time-read
9 minutos  |
December/January 2016-17
Matt Brittin
Management Today

Matt Brittin

Being a boss at the most powerful tech company on the planet is a prized job. But it brings its own set of challenges as Google’s EMEA president has found out – from ethical dilemmas to facing questions from MPs about tax and his salary.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
February/March 2017
Northern Ireland: Brexit, Borders And Back To The Future
Management Today

Northern Ireland: Brexit, Borders And Back To The Future

The province faces damaging trade tariffs and a return to restrictions on movement between the north and the south after the uk leaves the eu. There may be trouble ahead, says matthew gwyther.

time-read
9 minutos  |
February/March 2017
Living La Dolce Vita
Management Today

Living La Dolce Vita

Italian family-run farm, Fattoria La Vialla, has proved it’s possible to be successful and sustainable. Producing its own organic food and wine range, along with offering tourist accommodation, the business is carbon neutral too.

time-read
2 minutos  |
February/March 2017
New Winners For A Post- Brexit Britain
Management Today

New Winners For A Post- Brexit Britain

As businesses deal with the impact of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, it’s all change at the top of Britain’s Most Admired Companies league table, with ARM becoming the first tech firm to take the number one spot.

time-read
9 minutos  |
December/January 2016-17
Making Risk Work For You
Management Today

Making Risk Work For You

From reputation damage to Brexit uncertainty, businesses face a host of daunting challenges to tackle. MT in association with DuPont assembled an expert panel to discuss how best to approach and even drive value from such risks.

time-read
8 minutos  |
December/January 2016-17