Sinn Fein success casts doubt on Union

THE future of the United Kingdom was called into question last night after Irish nationalists came within touching distance of winning regional elections in Northern Ireland.

It was clear last night that the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin – which wants to break up the UK and reunite the island of Ireland – were on course to retain their positions as Stormont’s two largest parties. The DUP and Sinn Féin will have three weeks to resolve their multiple differences and form a new administration.

If the three-week post-election deadline passes, James Brokenshire, the Northern Ireland Secretary, is legally obliged to call yet another election.

In terms of the overall picture, the DUP secured 28.1 per cent of first preferences to Sinn Féin’s 27.9 per cent.

The final breakdown of seats may not be as close, as results in the proportional representation contest rely on transfers from other parties, but the republicans were buoyed by the result.

Gerry Adams, Sinn Féin’s president, said nationalists in Northern Ireland had voted to oppose Brexit. With the prospect of a hard land border dividing the island of Ireland, he said the poll was a mandate for Northern Ireland to receive special status within the EU.

Mr Adams said it was the only way to prevent a land frontier between a European state, the Republic of Ireland, and the British state in Northern Ireland.

Mr Adams said: “It is also a reassertion of our position on Brexit, that this part of Ireland should have a special designated status.

“Whatever your position is on the constitutional issue, that the only way to stop a land frontier between a European state and the British state on this island is to make sure there is a special designated status within the European Union for this part of Ireland.”

Northern Ireland voted Remain in the June EU poll by 56 per cent to 44 per cent. However, some largely unionist areas voted Leave and the DUP, the largest party, campaigned for Brexit.

There are concerns among some businesses that Northern Ireland’s economy will be damaged, with pharmaceutical firms moving to the Republic, though proponents point to benefits like freedom from EU rules.