In Britain, there never seems to be a ‘good time’ to talk about Irish unity. Yet for some within Britain’s Irish community, the time is now. On Monday evening November 18th, London-based advocates for Irish reunification gathered in Portcullis House, Westminster, across the road from Big Ben, to intensify discussions on the issue. With the clock ticking down to the Irish General Election in just a week’s time, the event aimed to amplify the conversation about the possibility of a united Ireland.
The evening was hosted by Labour for Irish Unity, an organisation campaigning within the British labour movement and Irish diaspora for the reunification of Ireland—an outcome to be decided democratically by the people of Ireland. The event was chaired by John McDonnell, former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (2015–2020) and a lifelong advocate of Irish unity.
The distinguished panel of speakers included:
- Professor Colin Harvey, Queen’s University, Belfast
- Nadine Finch, Vice Chair of Labour for Irish Unity
- Daniel Holder, Director of the Belfast-based Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ)
- Dáire Hughes, Sinn Féin MP for Newry & Armagh
- Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd
A Tidal Wave of Change
Opening the evening, Liz Saville Roberts highlighted the shared aspirations of the Welsh, Irish, and Scottish independence movements. She pointed to the latest Survation poll on Welsh independence, which revealed that 37% of respondents—rising to double that figure amongst young people—now support leaving the United Kingdom as it is today.
Building on this theme, Dáire Hughes described a tidal wave of change sweeping across these islands. He emphasised Sinn Féin’s rise to prominence on both sides of the border as a driver for momentum around the triggering of a Border Poll. However, Hughes stressed that the responsibility for delivering a poll does not rest with Sinn Féin alone. “All political parties on the island of Ireland must contribute to shaping the framework for a new Ireland,” he suggested. Hughes also referenced Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s pledge to appoint a Minister for Reunification if elected Taoiseach.
Progress and Westminster’s Silence
Professor Colin Harvey reflected on the preparations already underway in Ireland. He praised initiatives such as Ireland’s Future, which have successfully brought the conversation about unity into public forums across the country. However, Harvey expressed concern about the glaring absence of Westminster from these discussions.
The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, tasked with scrutinising Northern Ireland Office policy, has so far failed to address the possibility of a border poll. Harvey called this a dereliction of duty, given that a poll is not merely a nationalist aspiration but a commitment enshrined in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Yet, as he noted, the timing of such a poll remains at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Under previous governments there has been a challenge in addressing Irish affairs, according to Daniel Holder, particularly around Legacy issues. This was echoed by John McDonnell who lamented how little attention Ireland gets in mainstream parliamentary conversations. Indeed, Westminster might well be the last one to the party of such discussions. That’s why the impetus for Irish unification is going to come from the ground up rather than the top down according to McDonnell.
Next Steps
With the Irish General Election looming, Labour for Irish Unity and its supporters hope to keep Irish reunification on the agenda—not just in Ireland, but in Britain, where the conversation has been stifled for too long. Nadine Finch provided an outline of the role that the Irish in Britain have played throughout the decades before and after the peace agreement. Within this, she highlighted the importance of Social Justice and addressing those Legacy issues outlined by Daniel Holder.
Labour for Irish Unity’s chair, Paul O’Brien, concluded by echoing the sentiments of the speakers in calling for a clear strategy for the way ahead. Although, as Colin Harvey pointed out, it’s up to the people of Northern Ireland to decide on their ultimate future, not Westminster, it’s important that people in Britain are conscious of this issue. A lack of preparation turned the EU Referendum into a very toxic battleground. Ireland’s future needs to be one of continued agreement, not division. As such, the British public need to be aware that this issue is on the horizon, even if though those in power may see it as a distant prospect.
The time to discuss Irish unity is now—so that when, not if, an Irish Border Poll happens, everyone on these islands will fully understand what it entails and the potential outcomes. By fostering informed dialogue today, Ireland and Britain can lay the groundwork for a positive and respectful relationship in the future, one that evolves with changes in other parts of the Union and the United Kingdom too. But ultimately it is the people of Northern Ireland who will decide on their own future, not Westminster.
Dr Paul Breen, Labour for Irish Unity
In Britain, there never seems to be a ‘good time’ to talk about Irish unity. Yet for some within Britain’s Irish community, the time is now. On Monday evening November 18th, London-based advocates for Irish reunification gathered in Portcullis House, Westminster, across the road from Big Ben, to intensify discussions on the issue. With the clock ticking down to the Irish General Election in just a week’s time, the event aimed to amplify the conversation about the possibility of a united Ireland.
The evening was hosted by Labour for Irish Unity, an organisation campaigning within the British labour movement and Irish diaspora for the reunification of Ireland—an outcome to be decided democratically by the people of Ireland. The event was chaired by John McDonnell, former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (2015–2020) and a lifelong advocate of Irish unity.
The distinguished panel of speakers included:
A Tidal Wave of Change
Opening the evening, Liz Saville Roberts highlighted the shared aspirations of the Welsh, Irish, and Scottish independence movements. She pointed to the latest Survation poll on Welsh independence, which revealed that 37% of respondents—rising to double that figure amongst young people—now support leaving the United Kingdom as it is today.
Building on this theme, Dáire Hughes described a tidal wave of change sweeping across these islands. He emphasised Sinn Féin’s rise to prominence on both sides of the border as a driver for momentum around the triggering of a Border Poll. However, Hughes stressed that the responsibility for delivering a poll does not rest with Sinn Féin alone. “All political parties on the island of Ireland must contribute to shaping the framework for a new Ireland,” he suggested. Hughes also referenced Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s pledge to appoint a Minister for Reunification if elected Taoiseach.
Progress and Westminster’s Silence
Professor Colin Harvey reflected on the preparations already underway in Ireland. He praised initiatives such as Ireland’s Future, which have successfully brought the conversation about unity into public forums across the country. However, Harvey expressed concern about the glaring absence of Westminster from these discussions.
The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, tasked with scrutinising Northern Ireland Office policy, has so far failed to address the possibility of a border poll. Harvey called this a dereliction of duty, given that a poll is not merely a nationalist aspiration but a commitment enshrined in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Yet, as he noted, the timing of such a poll remains at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Under previous governments there has been a challenge in addressing Irish affairs, according to Daniel Holder, particularly around Legacy issues. This was echoed by John McDonnell who lamented how little attention Ireland gets in mainstream parliamentary conversations. Indeed, Westminster might well be the last one to the party of such discussions. That’s why the impetus for Irish unification is going to come from the ground up rather than the top down according to McDonnell.
Next Steps
With the Irish General Election looming, Labour for Irish Unity and its supporters hope to keep Irish reunification on the agenda—not just in Ireland, but in Britain, where the conversation has been stifled for too long. Nadine Finch provided an outline of the role that the Irish in Britain have played throughout the decades before and after the peace agreement. Within this, she highlighted the importance of Social Justice and addressing those Legacy issues outlined by Daniel Holder.
Labour for Irish Unity’s chair, Paul O’Brien, concluded by echoing the sentiments of the speakers in calling for a clear strategy for the way ahead. Although, as Colin Harvey pointed out, it’s up to the people of Northern Ireland to decide on their ultimate future, not Westminster, it’s important that people in Britain are conscious of this issue. A lack of preparation turned the EU Referendum into a very toxic battleground. Ireland’s future needs to be one of continued agreement, not division. As such, the British public need to be aware that this issue is on the horizon, even if though those in power may see it as a distant prospect.
The time to discuss Irish unity is now—so that when, not if, an Irish Border Poll happens, everyone on these islands will fully understand what it entails and the potential outcomes. By fostering informed dialogue today, Ireland and Britain can lay the groundwork for a positive and respectful relationship in the future, one that evolves with changes in other parts of the Union and the United Kingdom too. But ultimately it is the people of Northern Ireland who will decide on their own future, not Westminster.
Dr Paul Breen, Labour for Irish Unity