We must take this chance for reunification of our island

THE so-called ‘Brexit’ referendum had nothing to do with the best interests of Ireland, our people, our economy and our communities. Sinn Féin and I are not enamoured by the European Union. We have made that point many times over the years, and still make it today. There are serious issues surrounding the lack of democratic accountability and control by ordinary citizens at the heart of the much revered ‘European project’.

The choice for Sinn Féin as to what stance to take in this referendum, Remain or Leave, was simple. It is not in Ireland’s interests for one part of the island to be outside the EU, and another part to be inside. The electorate in the North clearly shared that view and said quite emphatically that they wished to remain within the EU, as did the electorate in Scotland.

The calling of the referendum was a result of a bunfight between two wings of the Conservative Party, cheered on by UKIP and Nigel Farage. The campaign in England was fraught with racism, fear tactics and propaganda of the worst sort. Far-right nationalism raised its ugly head and, most tragically, was implicated in the murder of Jo Cox MP.

Voters in the North of Ireland of all hues – nationalists, republicans, unionists and others – rejected this agenda, and have had an exit from the EU foisted on them against their wishes and their democratic expression. The referendum result will have very profound effects for all of us on this island.

Sinn Féin will be seeking urgent meetings with the Irish Government, the European institutions and also with our counterparts in Scotland to discuss how we move forward in the best interests of all of our people.

There are real worries it will have an adverse impact on the two economies on this island, which will have serious consequences for jobs and investment, and for families and communities.

We could well see the reintroduction of border controls between the North and South, as well as the reintroduction of customs controls.

There are also very real concerns in respect of its likely detrimental impact on the Good Friday Agreement, the Human Rights Act and equality issues, including equal pay, workers’ rights and anti-discrimination legislation.

Hundreds of thousands of people travel to the North and vice-versa every day to work, to shop, to visit friends and family.

Almost 20 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, we cannot allow decades of peace-building to be met with roadblocks and checkpoints returning to our island.

The Good Friday Agreement is an international agreement, and as coequal guarantor of the agreement, Enda Kenny and the Irish Government must defend the interests of all the people of the island at the meeting of the European Council next week that will set the tone for the outworkings and negotiations between Britain and the EU in the aftermath of the referendum result.

From an Irish perspective, we must articulate our view nationally and enforce the point that the result of the referendum and the rejection of the Leave option by voters in the North demonstrates clearly that the British government has no mandate to reerect border controls, and has forfeited any mandate to represent the economic or political interests of citizens in Ireland.

It also has no democratic mandate to represent the views of the North in those negotiations.

AS a result, there is now a democratic imperative for a referendum on Irish unity, as the only sensible path to ensure prosperity, progress and equality for everyone on the island.

A united Ireland is not only possible; it is the prudent economic and political choice.

The referendum result has a very profound effect on all of us on the island, but we have the power to ensure that it is not for the worse and now is the time to look at a poll on Irish unity and then win the argument to make that a reality. That can be done.

For that to happen, the Irish Government and all political parties that profess to want a united Ireland need an all-island, all-Ireland view. Like Sinn Féin, they must become persuaders for Irish unity and express the view that we are better together – united and working in Ireland’s interests and the interests of all citizens on the island.

We cannot allow those interests to be actively and gravely damaged by decisions taken in England.

The facts are clear. The North of Ireland has voted to remain in the EU, alongside the South. It is unacceptable that a majority in England and Wales should be allowed to alter its status against the wishes of those on our island. A referendum on Irish unity would give all of the people, North and South, the chance to shape a new, better future. We should seize the opportunity.