A Conversation with Ben Collins

Brian Ervine is a playwright, songwriter and teacher living in Belfast. In October 2010 he succeeded Dawn Purvis as the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party. Brian's s wife Linda serves as the Irish Language Officer at Turas, an Irish-language programme notable for its location in east Belfast.

Ben Collins comes from a pro-British and Unionist background and has lived and worked across the UK. In this book Ben explains how he has come to favour Irish Unity. He uses his twenty years of experience working in political communications to give his insight on the current situation regarding the building momentum for Irish Unity, the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and Brexit.

Former Alliance party member Michael McDonald talks to Shared Ireland at his disappointment at having to resign from the party over what he believes is down to his Pro-Unity viewsm

Emma DeSouza is an Irish writer, political commentator,[1] journalist and campaigner. Emma took the first human rights case[10] of the Good Friday Agreement when she and her US husband sued the British Home Secretary over her right to be accepted as Irish under the terms of the Agreement. Emma's other campaign work includes voting rights for Irish Citizens Abroad and campaigning for full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. She is also running as an independent candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone at the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election.

Linda Dillion is a member of Sinn Féin. Originally from Armagh, she has been an MLA for Mid Ulster since 2016.

Freelance Chef who was worked for the NI soccer team and lobbyist in charge of ExcludedNI Brian Donaldson outlines his visions and hopes for the future, discussing his PUL background, the constitutional question and in particular - the need for a plan for Unity

First elected to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council in 2019, Sorcha was also Alliance candidate for the Westminster election later that year, achieving Alliance’s best-ever result in the constituency. A lifelong resident of Lagan Valley, she has worked with many people and organisations across the constituency on a range of issues, including mental health, education, jobs and climate change. Sorcha is a champion for young and vulnerable people, having worked hard on improving youth employment, youth mental health and safeguarding issues.

Stephen Donnan-Dalzell is a freelance writer, commentator and LGBTQ activist. Working in mental health & addictions. They/Them

Belfast native and National Chairperson of Ógra Shinn Féin Caoimhín McCann speaks to us about the importance of community activism, the role of youth in politics and building momentum in the discussions around Irish Unity

Two young men from a PUL background discuss differing perspectives on the constitutional question