To the extent that the Brexiteers thought at all about Ireland, it was to suggest that any problems with the Irish border could be solved by the obvious solution of Ireland rejoining the UK. Nigel Lawson, chairman of the Leave campaign, suggested before the referendum, ‘I would be very happy if the Republic of Ireland – I don’t think it’s going to happen – were to say we made a mistake in getting independence in 1922, and come back within the United Kingdom. That would be great.’
