Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA has described comments by the Shadow Secretary of State Louise Haigh’s in a TV interview regarding Northern Ireland and its place in the Union as contradictory to say the least.

Steve Aiken said:

“Shadow Secretary of State Louise Haigh said that ‘if there is a border poll we should remain neutral’ and followed that up with ‘we are a unionist party in the Labour Party but if there is a border poll then we should remain neutral.’

“The approach of the Shadow Secretary of State is very puzzling and her comments are contradictory to say the least.

“Certainly, nobody considers it even remotely likely that the Republic of Ireland’s Government would adopt a stance of neutrality. If the Shadow Secretary of State has her way, we would be facing a future Referendum Campaign whereby the Dublin Government would be campaigning actively for Unity, but a Labour Administration in London would be effectively standing with its hands in it pockets, shrugging its shoulders, not caring either way if the United Kingdom as we know it, continues to exist or not.

“The Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer, and the Labour Party in Scotland would undoubtedly find a similar approach to neutrality on the central issue of the future of the United Kingdom where Scotland is concerned, utterly incomprehensible.

“At least Louise Haigh did recognise that ‘polls still suggest that there is a very firm majority for remaining in the United Kingdom.’ That is indeed the reality and the Ulster Unionist party will continue to offer the type of positive, confident and inclusive unionism that we believe will strengthen the Union and ensure it not only survives, but thrives in Northern Ireland’s second century.”