SDLP: Backstop 'Vital' For Border Communities

The SDLP has stressed the importance of retaining the backstop in the much-disputed Brexit deal due to the "sensitivities and complexities of our peace process".

Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty's comments follow a statement from Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, urging Westminster to hold firm on the issue of the backstop in order to avoid a hard border.

"As a political representative for a border community that sees many of my constituents travel freely from North to South and vice versa, every day unhindered, I am extremely anxious about the situation London has allowed us to drift into," Mr McNulty warned.

"Custom's posts, uniforms and physical infrastructure will be a complete retrograde move for the people of Ireland and our way of life here, especially those who live around or close to the border.

"Our people here never asked for this. This is a mess created by majorities elsewhere on these islands. Therefore, it is imperative that the Backstop is banked so we can rid ourselves of these perilous potential outcomes."

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald warned that a hardening of the border will lead to a referendum on Irish unity, while speaking at a Brexit conference on Saturday, 26 January.

"There are no 'little Irelanders' here and we will not tolerate the narrowness of the Brexiteers or policy of isolation imposed by Brexiteers," she said at the Beyond Brexit event in Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

"A crash means a hardening of the border and the loss of rights and continued uncertainty and instability. A hardening of the border is inconceivable and will be met with the demand for a unity referendum.

"We don't exactly know what will happen over the next few weeks or months. It's not in our hands, it's in the hands of a minority Tory Government in London, and that is the crux of the problem."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, also speaking at the conference, responded that now is not the right time for a border poll.

"There are unionists who are willing to engage and explore new possibilities," he said.

"Unionism should have nothing to fear in a conversation based on persuasion and consent. My appeal to unionism is this, try to convince us of your vision for the future and we'll try to convince you of ours, and then in time let the people decide."

Mr Eastwood reiterated his concerns over the hardening of the border, saying it would be a "deliberate violation" of the political process by the British Government.

"There is no getting away from the fact that Brexit has changed everything and will continue to change everything," the Foyle MLA added.



(JG/CM)