Derry council to debate motion calling for unity referendum and condemning Burnham ‘off the table’ claim
A motion is to be tabled at Derry City and Strabane District Council demanding the Irish and British Governments begin preparations for a unity referendum.
Sinn Féin Councillor Conor Heaney will make the call as part of a council motion which also condemns British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham’s claim that a border poll is ‘off the table’.
“The right to a referendum on Irish Unity is a key part of the Good Friday Agreement and is enshrined in international law.
"It is not a concession in the gift of any British politician so the British Prime Minister needs to realise that refusing to prepare will not stop change from coming. His comments also sent a very dangerous message to those within unionism who want to obstruct, delay and attempt to recreate a past based on division and supremacy,” said Colr. Heaney.
The Sinn Féin representative said the British Government has subsequently sought to row back from Mr. Burnham’s comments but said ‘it must go much further than that if it is to meet its obligations under the Good Friday Agreement’.
“My motion will mandate Council to write to the British Government reminding it of those commitments and urging it to begin preparations and discussions with the Irish government to set a date for the unity referendums, as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement,” he declared.
Under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which gave legal effect in the United Kingdom to the internationally agreed GFA, a British Secretary of State must call a border poll if support for a united Ireland appears likely.