Irish referendum: British government should 'remain neutral' on any future united Ireland vote, says Labour MP

Irish referendum: British government should 'remain neutral' on any future united Ireland vote, says Labour MP
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Max Parry

By Max Parry


Published: 23/11/2021

- 16:44

Updated: 23/08/2023

- 10:29

'We’re a unionist party in the Labour Party, but if there is a border poll we should remain neutral', says Shadow Northern Ireland Sec Louise Haigh

Louise Haigh, Labour's Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, has told GB News the British Government should remain neutral if there is ever a referendum on a united Ireland.


Asked by GB News Political Editor Darren McCaffrey what case she would make for preserving the union, Ms Haigh said: “The principal of consent is still very much in tact.

"It is only for the people of Northern Ireland to determine their own constitutional future and polls still suggest there is still a very firm majority for remaining in the United Kingdom.

"It’s not my job to be a persuader for the union,” adding that Prime Minister Boris Johnson was “not a good custodian of the Good Friday Agreement”.

Quoting the terms of the peace deal, Ms Haigh said it was essential that UK did not act selfishly or strategically in attempting to keep Northern Ireland.

"We’re a unionist party in the Labour Party, but if there is a border poll we should remain neutral. I think that’s an important principal.

"I believe in the union, I believe we’re stronger together….but it is a crucial element that has sustained peace is the principal of consent.”

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