17 May 2026
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA has said that the only way people in Northern Ireland can guarantee a return to the European Union is to choose a New Ireland in Europe.
He was speaking ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion tomorrow which comes after local elections in Britain showed a surge for Nigel Farage’s Reform party and amid renewed speculation about Britain’s relationship with the EU. The SDLP’s motion is clear that the only decisive way for people in the North to choose a future in Europe rather than a future driven by Farage is to vote for a New Ireland.
In 2016, Northern Ireland’s pro-Remain majority was overridden by the huge Leave vote in England, and as with the outcome of a UK General Election, a second UK-wide referendum could once again negate the views of people here. But as part of the Brexit process, it is already agreed that a vote for a New Ireland would allow the region to automatically accede to the EU – unlike the UK which would need to negotiate a formal accession process and associated negotiation.
Matthew O’Toole MLA said:
“The chaos that has engulfed British politics in this decade of Brexit has made the UK deeply unstable and much poorer, including reducing money for public services. Northern Ireland has borne those consequences too, despite voting Remain in 2016 and despite having some protections from a hard border.
“The current instability and the appalling prospect of a Farage premiership make the question of Northern Ireland’s means of rejoining the EU a vital one. And it is clear that while we may sincerely want the UK to rejoin the EU, the only way the North can decisively choose a European future – without the prospect of English voters overriding our wishes – is to vote for a New Ireland.
“As the most pro-European party in the North, and the most trusted party on European questions according to recent polling, the SDLP Opposition will continue to put this case forward coherently and consistently.”