Hanna says North ‘not at tipping point’ for unity poll but Benn wrong to say ‘no appetite’ for one
Claire Hanna has said the North is ‘not at a tipping point’ for a unity referendum.
However, the SDLP leader said the Secretary of State Hilary Benn, was incorrect to say there is no appetite for one.
Speaking in the British House of Commons on Wednesday, Ms. Hanna said: “Regardless of the Minister’s own views on Northern Ireland’s future, that issue is the subject of increased engagement and debate.
"The SDLP acknowledges that we are not at a tipping point towards a referendum, but the Secretary of State was wrong to say that there is no appetite for one.
"Does the Minister acknowledge that it is perfectly possible to work to improve the region in the here and now while also planning for the constitutional future that is a new Ireland, as the SDLP is doing?”
Matthew Patrick, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the North, replying on Mr. Benn’s behalf said: “The Secretary of State has been clear that currently, there is no evidence that there is a majority in favour of constitutional change.
"Of course, we defend the principle of consent and the right of the people in Northern Ireland to determine their constitutional future. It is totally legitimate for people to advocate for the future they want to see.”
During a visit to Lisburn last week Mr. Benn claimed there was ‘no appetite for constitutional change in Northern Ireland’.
He said the British Labour Government ‘strongly supports the union’, adding that the prospect of a border poll was ‘way off in the distance’.