Durkan plea for Gov. neutrality on Irish unity referendum rejected

But an NIO Minister rebuffed the demand saying he and his Conservative party colleagues could never be neutral on the Union.

The exchange occurred last week after Scottish Labour MP Gregg McClymont asked NIO Minister Hugo Swire MP what his policy was on the treatment of a referendum on the future of Northern Ireland as part of the Union.

Mr Swire said no request for a referendum had yet been received from anyone including Sinn Féin but that the Secretary of State Owen Paterson had the right to hold a referendum at any point and that he also had a duty to hold one if it appeared likely a majority was in favour of a united Ireland.

“It is quite clear in the Belfast agreement, but no such situation arises in Northern Ireland. Indeed, we very much hope that the new Executive will concentrate on bread-and-butter issues such as the economy rather than issues that seem to be of interest in Scotland,” said Mr Swire.

The Foyle MP then told Mr Swire of the difficulties nationalist politicians faced countering the arguments of dissident republicans on the ground.

Mr Durkan asked: “Does the Minister recognise that dissidents try to make the argument on the ground in nationalist areas that those of us who support the Good Friday agreement have gone derelict on Irish unity?”

“Does he recognise therefore that he has to treat with validity those of us who make the case for framing progress towards unity?”

“Will he confirm that in the event of a referendum the British Government would play no part in imposing or opposing any free choice that would be made by the Irish people?” he further queried.

Mr Swire said he would not take a neutral stance on the Union stating: “The hon. Gentleman’s party’s position is well known and I pay tribute here again to the way in which his party has embraced the ballot box and the democratic process.

“In a referendum, that would be for the people of Northern Ireland to decide. I can do no better than support the words of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister - it is probably a career-advancing thing to do - who, in a speech in May 2010, stated clearly and unequivocally: ‘I will never be neutral on our Union. We passionately believe that England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are stronger together, weaker apart.’”

“I believe that, as Aristotle said, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”