Benn: “It’s a long way off because no one who is calling for a border poll can actually argue that that condition is currently met in Northern Ireland.”

| Readers 13108

The Secretary of State, Hilary Benn joined the Stormont Sources podcast during the week to discuss the budget, Stormont Reform and a border poll.

The comments have annoyed many Nationalists seeking a referendum in the near future. Benn made clear in the interview that a vote or even spelling out further criteria would not happen whilst he is Secretary of State.

Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh, Daire Hughes criticsed the Secretary of State:

“While Hilary Benn may wish to bury his head in the sand, the reality is a live and energetic debate is underway on a new and united Ireland.

“More than ever, wide sections of society across the island are engaged in an exciting conversation about what a stronger and fairer Ireland could look like.

“A responsible British government would begin working with the Irish government to plan and prepare for future constitutional change.”

Discover more from Slugger O'Toole

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Recent posts

El Cavador

What ‘Before the Vote’ gets right and wrong about the economic future…

Brian Walker

Unionists appear to think they can win by adopting Sinn Fein’s posture of competitive grievance and victimhood.

Obelisk

No Way Out – Unionism in Crisis

We are reader supported. Donate to keep Slugger lit!

For over 20 years, Slugger has been an independent place for debate and new ideas. We have published over 40,000 posts and over one and a half million comments on the site. Each month we have over 70,000 readers. All this we have accomplished with only volunteers we have never had any paid staff.

Slugger does not receive any funding, and we respect our readers, so we will never run intrusive ads or sponsored posts. Instead, we are reader-supported. Help us keep Slugger independent by becoming a friend of Slugger. While we run a tight ship and no one gets paid to write, we need money to help us cover our costs.

If you like what we do, we are asking you to consider giving a monthly donation of any amount, or you can give a one-off donation. Any amount is appreciated. 

Give a monthly donation Give a one-off donation