Britain's snap election further opportunity united Ireland- Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin Matt Carthy has said Prime Minister Theresa May's announcement of a snap Westminster General Election is “further evidence” that concerns of people in the North of Ireland “do not register” on the British Government agenda. However, the European MEP stated that Irish republicans must seize the opportunity to further to build political progress towards a referendum on Irish unity.

“The British Government will always put its own interests above any others and, at this time, that means the concerns of a very reactionary Tory Right Wing. Brexit has highlighted, in stark terms, the undemocratic, unnatural and unjust nature of Partition,” Mr Carthy said.

 

Unification

The former Monaghan Mayor stated Brexit and the recent Assembly election, which heralded an end to unionist political majority, have changed the context of the argument for a United Ireland.

“Despite the narrow political motivation behind the calling of a Westminster election, Irish republicans must seize the opportunity to further to build political progress towards a referendum on Irish unity. It is an opportunity to reject the Tory political agenda, to re-assert the North’s vote to remain within the EU, and to advance the cause of a shared inclusive and United Ireland,” Mr Carthy added.

 

Instability

But while sitting MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Tom Elliott admits rumours of a snap election have “ebbed and flowed” for sometime, its planned arrival on June 8 is “not perfect nor ideal” for political stability in Northern Ireland.

Mr Elliott, who assumed office of MLA from Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew in 2015, believes a Westminster election will only serve to heighten political tensions and potentially cause further instability. “Politically Northern Ireland is not a stable place at this time. Sinn Fein for their part wants that, which is unfortunate and doesn't help anyone. A Westminster election will only serve to add to that sense of instability,” he said.

 

“One-off chance”

In her address outside 10 Downing Street earlier today, Ms May said her government had the right plan for negotiating the terms of Britain's exit from the EU. The move comes despite the Prime Minister repeatedly denying she would call an election before the next scheduled poll in 2020.

“We need a general election and we need one now. We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done ... before the detailed talks begin,” said Mrs May, who if her party emerges triumphant, would have a mandate both for her leadership and her negotiating position on Brexit.

Explaining the decision, Mrs May said: “The country is coming together but Westminster is not.”

She furthermore laid down the gauntlet to opposition parties, stating: “This is your moment to show you mean it - to show you're not opposing the government for the sake of it, to show that you do not treat politics as a game.”