And so the centenary of partition begins(ish) and with it some (hopefully) nuanced discussions about how it unfolded, had real and imagined impacts (+ and -) and how Brexit has ensured it is a live, political issue rather than moment for historical reflection. https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/1341643535813144576

It is important to remember the historical background to partition, the many different manifestations and imaginaries that formed it but most importantly the lived experiences of it for those who lived on it and alongside it (on both sides) at various times.

I recently edited a book with my colleague Randy McGuire on the phenomenon of wallbuilding. While I focused on peace walls in Belfast many of my colleagues wrote about border walls and how the creation of material divides have impacted on the lives of those in borderlands.

I think of Michael Dear's writing on borderlands and how identities around borders are - by necessity - different from the mainstream identities of each country. This must be even more the case when countries are partitioned as a pragmatic solution to a complicated issue.

As we reach a centenary of that pragmatic solution then enough time has passed that people on both sides of the border get used to their borderlands and some enjoy the separations as well as the freedoms it brings (especially when they are deactivated).

Partition is a difficult process to successfully put in place, especially on an island and when a sizeable minority did not wish for it (and had a difficult existence in the state they were forced to be part of) but there is no inevitability about partition ending either.

When partition has been in place for 100 years then removing it will be accompanied by equally seismic changes not just in practicalities but also in identity. Likewise, it should not be forced and accompanied with recriminations for those who do not wish for it.

However, we are in a time of seismic change due to Brexit, which only a fool(ish party) would not have foreseen. Whatever happens in the coming days, weeks and years will include major changes and political realignments that mean questioning partition will be centre stage.