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EU referendum: Martin McGuinness calls for border poll if UK votes to leave | EU referendum: Martin McGuinness calls for border poll if UK votes to leave |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A border poll should be held in Ireland if the UK leaves the European Union, the deputy first minister has said. | A border poll should be held in Ireland if the UK leaves the European Union, the deputy first minister has said. |
A referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU will be held on 23 June. | A referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU will be held on 23 June. |
Martin McGuinness said a vote to end the UK's EU membership would have "profound consequences" and would be a "political and economic game-changer". | Martin McGuinness said a vote to end the UK's EU membership would have "profound consequences" and would be a "political and economic game-changer". |
The Sinn Féin MLA said if that happened his party would put pressure on Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers to call a border poll. | The Sinn Féin MLA said if that happened his party would put pressure on Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers to call a border poll. |
Ms Villiers has the power, under the terms of Good Friday Agreement, to call a poll on whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK or unite with the Republic of Ireland. | Ms Villiers has the power, under the terms of Good Friday Agreement, to call a poll on whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK or unite with the Republic of Ireland. |
A border poll was last held in Northern Ireland in 1973 and was largely boycotted by nationalists. | A border poll was last held in Northern Ireland in 1973 and was largely boycotted by nationalists. |
Test | |
Mr McGuinness said: "I have proposed to Theresa Villiers that, given the enormous significance of these issues, the British government now give a firm commitment to an immediate border poll in the event Britain votes to leave the European Union." | Mr McGuinness said: "I have proposed to Theresa Villiers that, given the enormous significance of these issues, the British government now give a firm commitment to an immediate border poll in the event Britain votes to leave the European Union." |
He added that a border poll would be a "legitimate test of political opinion that would threaten no-one". | He added that a border poll would be a "legitimate test of political opinion that would threaten no-one". |
But the Northern Ireland Office said the government had set out its position on a border poll ahead of the 2015 Westminster election. | |
Last year's Conservative Party manifesto said "all tests of opinion" showed that "a substantial majority" of people in Northern Ireland "continues to support the union" with Great Britain. | |
It added that "the circumstances requiring a border poll are not currently satisfied" and that holding a vote over the Irish border would be "costly, divisive and a distraction". | |
Backing | |
Ms Villiers has said there are "risks on both sides of this debate" but the "safer option" was to leave. | Ms Villiers has said there are "risks on both sides of this debate" but the "safer option" was to leave. |
She claimed last month that Northern Ireland would remain in a strong position financially if voters opted for a withdrawal from the EU. | She claimed last month that Northern Ireland would remain in a strong position financially if voters opted for a withdrawal from the EU. |
Her stance has been supported by the Democratic Unionist Party. | Her stance has been supported by the Democratic Unionist Party. |
But Northern Ireland's other main parties - the Ulster Unionists, the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the Alliance Party - are backing a vote for the UK to remain an EU member. | But Northern Ireland's other main parties - the Ulster Unionists, the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the Alliance Party - are backing a vote for the UK to remain an EU member. |
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