27/08/2026
Right to United Ireland referendum is a matter of law in the Good Friday Agreement and will be delivered
Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald, Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill and North Belfast MP John Finucane today met with the new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham during his first visit to the north.
Mary Lou McDonald said: “The right to a referendum on Irish Unity is a key part of the Good Friday Agreement. It was agreed in referenda and is enshrined in international law.
"It is not a concession in the gift of any British politician and sends a very dangerous message to those within unionism who want to obstruct, delay and attempt to recreate a past based on division and supremacy.
"The British Prime Minister needs to realise that refusing to prepare will not stop change from coming. It is as reckless as what happened with Brexit.”
Mary Lou McDonald continued:
“Today we had a robust exchange with the new British Prime Minister. To mark his first visit to Ireland with such divisive and ill-informed comments, that fly in the face of the Good Friday Agreement is totally unacceptable.
“The right to a referendum on Irish Unity is key part of the Good Friday Agreement. It was agreed in referenda and is enshrined in international law.
"It is not a concession in the gift of any British politician. It cannot be casually cast aside or taken off the table and suggesting that it can sends a very dangerous message to those within unionism who are attempting to recreate a past based on division and supremacy.
“In the period ahead the people of Ireland, north and south, will have the opportunity to determine our future in a unity referendum.
"That is what people voted for. If the British Prime Minister really wants to learn the lessons from their disastrous Brexit referendum, then the responsible thing to do is to prepare for the possibility of constitutional change in Ireland so that change when it comes, is planned, orderly and inclusive.
“Sticking his head in the sand is not a strategy. Refusing to prepare will not stop change from coming. It is as reckless as what happened with Brexit.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“I also pressed the British Prime Minister on the importance of adequate funding for the north, to deliver real financial support for workers, families and communities during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. He needs to reverse years of underfunding for the north and support economic development with strong public services and strong communities.
“I also spoke about the necessary reform of the Assembly and the need for parties within the Executive to work together to deliver progress.
"Unfortunately, there are those who continue to try undermining power-sharing and attempt to drag society back to days of sectarianism and division.
“We have seen that again this week as they set out their desire to force a parade down Garvaghy Road.
"The people of Garvaghy Road have lived peacefully for twenty eight years, and the sectarianism and the violence visited upon that community cannot and will not be allowed to happen again. Sinn Féin stands fully with the people of Garvaghy Road.
“On legacy, Sinn Féin reiterated to the British Prime Minister that any process must be centred on the rights of victims and families rather than protecting the state or any group within it.
"There can be no preferential treatment. Too many families are waiting for the truth and justice they have been denied for far too long.”
