[egeekuk]

Northern Ireland person here, I'm afraid you have it backwards. The DUP is strongly opposed to a united Ireland, and (until very recently) have supported a border of some description with Ireland.

Sinn Fein are for a united Ireland, but do not take up their seats in Westminster.

The DUP have obtained 10 seats in this election (Sinn Fein have 7), and a coalition between the Conservatives and the DUP looks likely. The DUP has been bigger supporters of the Conservatives, and of Brexit.

[NamTaf]

Thanks mate, I had a blend of the two as my understanding per my edit. I thought both wanted a united Ireland, but one from the Union and one from the Republic. I had that understanding as I thought that was largely what kept the issues within Ireland minimised.

[egeekuk]

No probs, what's been keeping the issues under control here is the Belfast (Good Friday) agreement [0], which (among lots of other things):

- grants dual nationality (British and Irish) to all the people born in Northern Ireland (simplified, there's a bit of complexity in there)

- allows for the Northern Ireland to become part of a United Ireland if the majority of people in Ireland wish it

IMO there's been a voice of reason coming from the middle ground, but this election has seen the province move more towards tribalism and the middle ground parties loosing their seats.

[0] - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-belfast-agree...

(edited for formatting of the bullet points)