Starmer cannot duck and dive on question of Irish reunification, Sinn Fein says

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer cannot duck and dive on the question of Irish reunification and must instead commit to holding a referendum on constitutional change by 2030, the leader of Sinn Fein has insisted. Mary Lou McDonald said the incoming government in Dublin must also take “urgent” steps to start planning for unity, including by creating the role of minister for unification. Ms McDonald said her previously stated goal of having referenda on both sides of the Irish border by the end of the decade remained realistic, despite Sinn Fein failing to emerge victorious from the recent general election in Ireland and with the party appearing to have little realistic prospect of being part of the new coalition administration in Dublin. She said Fianna Fail and Fine Gael – which are set to lead the new government – needed to publish a green paper on unification; appoint a minister for unity in the Department of the Taoiseach; set up a parliamentary committee to examine issues around constitutional change; and also form a citizens’ assembly to consider the same sort of questions.