Mallon warns against premature border poll

Former deputy first minister Seamus Mallon has warned that a narrow vote in favour of Irish unity in any future border poll would only serve to increase division and could spark a return to violence.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2019, 19:11 BST
The scene of an attempted ATM theft at Gilnahirk. Picture: Philip Magowan / PressEyeThe scene of an attempted ATM theft at Gilnahirk. Picture: Philip Magowan / PressEye
The scene of an attempted ATM theft at Gilnahirk. Picture: Philip Magowan / PressEye

Under the terms of the Belfast Agreement, the threshold for reunification in a border poll is a simple majority of 50% plus one.

But veteran SDLP figure Mr Mallon believes such an approach is flawed.

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Writing in the Irish News yesterday, Mr Mallon – one of the key negotiators of the Belfast Agreement – said a united Ireland requires a majority on both sides of the political divide agreeing.

Seamus MallonSeamus Mallon
Seamus Mallon

He said: “I have come increasingly to the view that the Good Friday Agreement metric of a bare ‘50%+1’ majority for unity in a border poll will not give us the kind of agreed and peaceful Ireland we seek.

“A premature border poll may deliver a narrow and completely unworkable majority for unity.”

The former politician said a “more inclusive and generous way to quantify consent” must be found.

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He added: “This generosity could be shown by nationalists in two ways: firstly, by not pushing for unity until there is wider and deeper acceptance of it among the unionist community; and secondly, by a willingness to put forward some arrangement more congenial.”

Legislation states that the secretary of state has to call a vote if it appears likely there would be a majority in support of reunification.

Karen Bradley has previously said she does not believe such conditions have been met.

Related topics:IrelandSDLP