Keir Starmer, the likely future prime minister of our neighboring country, has firmly dismissed the idea of a referendum on a united Ireland, stating before his party’s conference that it is not a current consideration.
This statement may come as a surprise to those who were convinced that Irish reunification was imminent following Brexit, especially with the growing support for Scottish independence and Sinn Féin’s rising prominence in Northern Ireland. However, the political landscape has shifted in recent times.
The Scottish nationalists, who were previously dominant, have faced significant setbacks as demonstrated by Labour’s surprising victory in a Glasgow by-election. This resurgence of Labour indicates that they may secure a parliamentary majority in the future without having to rely on minority nationalist support.
Historically, Labour governments have not been enthusiastic about dismantling the fragile unity of the UK, and with a strong parliamentary majority, it is no surprise that Starmer favors a cautious approach.
While Starmer may not be the most inspiring figure, his steady leadership is precisely what the current political climate requires. The chaos of Boris Johnson’s tenure has demonstrated that drama in politics is overrated.
The recent dispute between the Taoiseach and former UK Brexit negotiator Lord Frost serves as a reminder of the damaging soap opera within the Tory party, which has strained Britain’s international reputation and its relationship with Ireland.
From an Irish perspective, a period of calm and stability would be welcomed. Sinn Féin may be on the verge of entering government in the Republic of Ireland just as Starmer assumes office. His steady approach could counterbalance Sinn Féin’s ambitious goals.
Rather than constantly focusing on the constitutional issue of Irish reunification, Sinn Féin would fare better by prioritizing everyday concerns like housing. This approach would help ease the concerns of unionists, who have been unsettled by developments such as the Protocol and the Windsor Framework.
For progress to be made, the DUP must confront the challenges within their own party and rejoin the power-sharing government at Stormont. While this may be a difficult task, they can no longer claim that it’s due to an immediate threat to the union, as Starmer has made it clear that a Border poll is not on the horizon. Starmer’s stance should alleviate a significant portion of unionists’ fears.
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