Letter: We will win a border poll with the help of migrant voters, soft nationalists and Alliance Party supporters

First of all, Professor Brendan O'Leary, who spoke at the Ireland’s Future event in Belfast last week, may have a Gaelic name but he is hardly hostile to those of us who don't.

Furthermore, he was on the button when he predicted that a future border poll could be decided by Lithuanian voters, recent migrants or other eastern Europeans. Which is why this unionist led a delegation, with my friend Chris McGimpsey, on a visit to the Belfast Islamic Centre many years ago.

Secondly, unlike most of my pro-Union friends, I no longer get upset by the number of former unionist voters who now prefer Alliance as their political party of choice. Because – Alliance voters are more likely to be animated by health, education and environmental issues but are hardly going to back radical, revolutionary constitutional change.

Thirdly, I am preparing myself, right now, to be spooked by our forthcoming regional general election results on Thursday, July 4, which will expedite calls for the inevitable future border poll. But, I firmly believe we will win it with the help of migrant voters, soft nationalists, moderate Catholics and Alliance Party supporters.

Not another Orange Order parade.

Alan S Carson, Belfast BT5