This morning, officials in Scotland and Northern Ireland are grappling with how to move forward now that they will be split off from the European Union, against the will of the majority of their voters.
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Scotland had held a referendum for independence in 2014 and it failed, but after the Brexit vote, Sturgeon is saying that the prospect of another referendum for Scottish independence is “highly likely”.
Polling data suggests that young people voted strongly in favour of staying in the European Union and a picture of a generational divide has emerged.
Northern Ireland also voted “Remain” by 55.8 percent to 44.2 percent.
Per the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the Secretary of State can call for a border poll on the question of uniting Ireland if it appears that “the majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland”.
The Alliance Party has tabled a motion calling for an urgent meeting of the Northern Ireland Assembly to discuss the impact of leaving the EU.
“With common sense between us, the United Kingdom and Ireland can maintain a border which is just as open after a Brexit vote as it has been for many years”, said Ms. Villiers, who is “delighted” with the Brexit result, according to a BBC report. The implications for all of us on the island of Ireland are absolutely massive.
London, Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain in the European Union but Wales and large swathes of England, particularly former industrial hubs in the north with many disaffected workers, backed a Brexit. This result is bad news for Scotland, bad news for the United Kingdom and bad news for Europe. The Republic of Ireland is not.
The close but decisive result of the UK’s referendum on whether to leave or remain inside the European Union has highlighted a divided country.
“One of the joys of the peace process and one of the joys of the great partnership we enjoy with the United Kingdom and the great relationships we enjoy north and south has been to see the melting away of border controls”.
Talks are planned for July 4 between the Taoiseach and Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness when the North/South Ministerial Council meets.
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“His Government has huge influence in this upcoming negotiation”.
