Jim,
The Tories in opposition and the House of Lords fought tooth and nail to defeat any attempts to Unite Ireland.

That is the job of the opposition and is what always happens.
That is how parliament works.

In 1914, the government, Unionists and Nationalists agreed and passed the Home Rule Bill with a large majority, with no suggestion of permanent partition.

Instead we had the rising and years of war and death.
What do you find to celebrate in that?