3 December 2025
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has said the UK and Irish Governments must work together to plan for constitutional change.
She challenged Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
South Belfast and Mid Down MP Claire Hanna said:
“Conversations about a New Ireland are gathering momentum, with people from all sorts of backgrounds engaging in serious and hopeful discussion about building something new together. Even in the corridors of Westminster these conversations are taking place. Just this week I hosted an event with journalists Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride on making the case for Irish unity. While different perspectives were argued, each voice was clear that the time for careful planning is now.
“The SDLP recognises that there is work to do before any referendum, but our experience with Brexit taught us the bitter lesson that planning and preparation must take place beforehand. When a referendum comes we need to avoid the chaos of Brexit and make a clear and credible argument to people in the North and South of this island.
“The Prime Minister may not wish to engage with this debate, but thousands of people across this island already are. The SDLP will continue to lead discussions about the type of future we want to build together and we will press both governments to face their responsibility to prepare for a New Ireland.”