Dear Editor,
Mr. Harris from London takes issue with Finn McRedmond’s previous article, which made an old claim that Britain lacks understanding about Ireland. Mr. Harris argued that the perspective presented was somewhat biased, stating that although many Brits may not possess in-depth knowledge about Irish politics or beliefs, there are those who strive to remain informed.
Even those who do not follow Irish occurrences closely, Mr. Harris doubts the existence of a prevailing view that considers Ireland insignificant in the face of global matters. He acknowledges that there were individuals who found it tricky to navigate Ireland’s post-Brexit strategy – which was challenging for the UK – but says this was not a result of undervaluing Ireland’s relevance on the European or global arenas. He feels people believed that Ireland and the EU made Brexit more difficult deliberately, with the intent to challenge the procedure, but he disputes the concept that Britain dismissed Ireland as a lesser entity with limited impact.
Contrarily, Mr. Harris highlights that the past century has clearly demonstrated the significant influence of Ireland on Britain and the world, one which surpasses what its size would imply. He also notes that a large number of British citizens appreciate the influence that Ireland has had and continue to welcome it. He observes that despite occasional government tensions, the people of both nations generally have a harmonious relationship.
Furthermore, if Finn McRedmond insinuates that it was a significant political mistake for Britain to misunderstand Leo Varadkar, then the recent referendums appear to show that even Mr. Varadkar himself (whom Mr. Harris admires) faced challenges in understanding his own people. If the Irish Prime Minister is unable to fully grasp his own citizens, then it is only fair to be lenient towards any gaps in foreign understanding, according to Mr. Harris.
Best regards,
David Harris,
London.