Re: it wouldn't surprise me if...
Let's not visit either of these scenarios unless it comes as the result of an agreed democratic process instigated from within the whole of Ireland itself. That process, without aiming at any defined result, may take years, but it can not be rushed.
But that's part of GFA. If the people of NI and Ireland both agree to unite, the rest of the UK won't object. Much. But the GFA (and Sunningdale) were constitutional agreements that predated the Lisbon Treaty and between the UK and RoI. Come April 1st, it's highly unlikely that the UK will implement strip searches at gun point along the border between the UK and RoI. The UK has said repeatedly that it'll honor the terms of the GFA.
Problem is with the EU, ie Brussels controls the EU's border security, so the existence of the GFA complicates any current or future EU border policy.. As does Gibraltar and it's land crossing with Spain, which has often had.. issues with free movement.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
