Guest of 12.32, I'm no historian but I do not think that the british Government did want to partition Ireland, they wanted rid of all of it. The problem was that the Ulstermen were prepared to fight to stay out of thr Republic. British Army officers were prepared to resign their commisions rather than fight against former friends under their own flag.
Guest of 08.59, No one invited white colonists into North America either, but what should be done about it?
Britain alone of the old colonialist countries gave away it's empire and remains on good terms with former colonies who are happy to remain part of The Commonwealth.