19 November 2025
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has challenged the Secretary of State's comments that there is no “appetite” for change.
Ms Hanna questioned the remarks in the House of Commons during Northern Ireland Questions on Wednesday.
The Northern Ireland Office accepted it was “totally legitimate” to advocate for change.
South Belfast and Mid Down MP Claire Hanna said:
“The SDLP acknowledges that there is a lot of hard work to be done, both in planning for a New Ireland and to convince undecideds, before we are ready for a border poll. We’re well up for that challenge and have called on both governments to engage on planning for the future. However, the recent comments from the Secretary of State that there is no 'appetite' for a border poll is simply not the case.
“The SDLP believes that part of building a New Ireland is making the North work for people in the here and now, alongside responsibly planning for the future. The truth is Britain is facing an uncertain future and the status quo isn’t delivering for large swathes of our society. It cannot be the limit of our ambitions.
“Every day people across this island are talking about the kind of future they want for themselves and their families and this conversation isn’t going away.”