Major and Blair unite over E.U. in Derry

Former British Prime Ministers, John Major (left) and Tony Blair pictured on Derry's Peace Bridge yesterday afternoon. (Photo: Press Association)Former British Prime Ministers, John Major (left) and Tony Blair pictured on Derry's Peace Bridge yesterday afternoon. (Photo: Press Association)
Former British Prime Ministers, John Major (left) and Tony Blair pictured on Derry's Peace Bridge yesterday afternoon. (Photo: Press Association)

The two former political opponents shared a stage yesterday afternoon, for what is believed to be the first time, inside the Great Hall in the Magee campus of Ulster University.

Mr. Major and Mr. Blair gave passionate speeches explaining why they believe the people of Derry and the rest of the North should vote for the UK to remain part of the EU on June 23

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The two former prime ministers played integral roles in the delivery of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland and both agreed that a vote to leave the EU could destabalise the peace process here.

“If we were to leave the EU on June 23 then it would put Northern Ireland’s future at risk,” said Mr. Blair. “It would be deeply damaging and a reckless cause.”

“Here we stand as two former prime ministers and we say to the Leave Campaign, you have fundamental questions to answer about Northern Ireland, about the common travel area between North and South.

“The people of Northern Ireland need these answers and they need them within the next few days.”

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During their time in the city yesterday both Mr. Major and Mr. Blair made a symbolic visit to Derry’s Peace Bridge, which was built using money from the EU.

“The Leave Campaign has consistently ignored the impact leaving the E.U. will have on Northern Ireland, economically, socially and politically,” added Mr. Blair.

“This is because they ideological fixation to leave Europe is more important than the clear disadvantage Northern Ireland would suffer. So, I say, don’t let these people take a punt with Northern Ireland’s future.”