Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt has argued that Northern Ireland and its citizens are "much better served" by remaining part of the UK.

In an opinion piece titled "Restoring hope: A case for Northern Ireland's future in the United Kingdom," Nesbitt argues that while he fully respects the right to raise the issue of constitutional change, the lesson of Brexit is that such change can be "destabilising, confusing and ultimately disappointing."

Nesbitt states that the Belfast Agreement "recognises and protects the constitutional status of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom." He claims that his party's agenda is to restore hope through prosperity, which he says is "best done through our continued membership of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland." He questions why "proudly socialist parties" would want to join with a government that charges its citizens for an appointment with their GP, where there are tolled roads, and where plans are in place to charge for excess water use. He highlights the economic benefits of the Union, noting that the UK is part of the world's sixth-largest economy. He also argues that the UK's position as a "strategic partner in the defence of democracy" is a critical factor in an "increasingly fragile world."

The Ulster Unionist Party leader also claims that many Irish-born people have moved to Great Britain for "greater opportunities and benefits." He cites a previous UK census which showed almost a million people born in Ireland were living in Great Britain.

Nesbitt concludes by stating he fully accepts that others will take a different viewpoint but urges that this be done through "discussions, debates and pressure groups, not through the violence that has been so destructive." He says that all efforts should be focused on "building bridges between communities, not constitutional soapboxes."