The nationalist political party of Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein, hailed Boris Johnson’s demission. His exit makes an opportunity to improve UK-Irish ties, despite Sinn Fein’s will to the contrary.
Sinn Fein Openly Boris Johnson’s demission
Northern Ireland’s nationalist political party Sinn Fein has expressed joy over Boris Johnson’s demission. Sinn Fein’s leader has argued that Johnson’s Brexit brought disaster to all while his leadership brought austerity to Northern Ireland. Mary Lou McDonald has welcomed Boris Johnson’s demission and said his interaction with Northern Ireland was wholly negative.
McDonald has added, under Boris Johnson the Good Friday Agreement was not respected and there were threats after threats. Sinn Fein’s Vice President Michelle O’Neill has also welcomed Boris Johnson’s demission, calling his era an absurd time. Sinn Fein has made it clear that any successor to Boris Johnson needs to change the direction. The nationalist party’s leader has said Johnson’s successor should fulfill the British government’s obligations under the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Fein says Northern Ireland needs a British government that respects international law.
Northern Ireland Protocol Created Political Split
Northern Ireland is facing several issues including the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Assembly and the Executive establishment. During the Brexit negotiations, Britain and the EU had agreed on the Protocol to safeguard the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Although they aimed to avoid troubles in Northern Ireland, the Protocol created a political split there. Britain did not want a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, the protocol created a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Consequently, Northern Ireland did not enjoy the same privileges inside the UK’s internal market as the other three nations did. The Protocol has destabilized Northern Ireland and had an impact on its power-sharing system. The unionist party, DUP, has not agreed with the protocol and did not join a power-sharing executive.
The Nationalists Dominate Northern Ireland Politics
The unionist politicians used to lead the Northern Ireland Assembly and have always identified themselves as British. The Republic of Ireland became independent from Britain a century ago, but pro-British politicians have always dominated Stormont. Sinn Fein won the most significant number of seats in the 2022 election and ended the pro-British dominance. Sinn Fein secured 29 percent of the votes while the DUP won 21.3 percent. This victory for a nationalist Northern Ireland party in the British-controlled region is a defining moment. The UK has faced its most serious challenge in 100 years as Irish nationalists are dominant at Stormont. However, the DUP refused to join a power-sharing executive unless Northern Ireland Protocol is scrapped. Sinn Fein’s leader asked for a settlement between the UK and EU over the protocol. The party has warned the Protocol’s problems could lead to a unification referendum.
Johnson’s Brexit Invigorated Ideas for Irish Unity
Boris Johnson’s Brexit was helping with the nationalistic desires for Irish unity. Northern Ireland Protocol is a threat to the peace process of the Good Friday Agreement. After Brexit, the unionist and the nationalist identities have become more robust in Northern Ireland. Around two-thirds of people in Northern Ireland have said Brexit has increased the possibility of Irish unity. Johnson took the DUP’s side and suggested removing the Northern Ireland Protocol. Scraping the Protocol undermined the UK’s reputation and would breach the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Fein’s leaders have warned that Boris Johnson’s changes would breach international law. Johnson’s government was destabilizing the status quo and partitioning Northern Ireland, while invigorating ideas for Irish unity. Therefore, Boris Johnson’s demission is a welcoming decision for the pro-British unionists.
Johnson’s Policies Affected the UK Welfare
Brexit hampered the UK economy and affected the welfare of the whole UK. Boris Johnson finalized post-Brexit trading arrangements which risked weakening the peace arrangement, the Good Friday Agreement. This trading regime has sparked a political crisis in Northern Ireland which is in favor of the nationalists. Johnson’s policies paved the way for a united Ireland and Sinn Fein would push for a unification referendum soon. The post-Brexit problems imperiled Northern Ireland, and Sinn Fein asked for a discussion on Irish unity. Boris Johnson did not show any understanding of the operation of the Good Friday Agreement. However, Boris Johnson’s demission has brought an opportunity for a better relationship between Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Offered an opportunity to Ireland for seeking peace with Britain over Northern Ireland Protocol. Whereas, the nationalists and the unionists of have disagreements over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Sinn Fein Can Unite Political Parties
The nationalists can resolve the political disputes in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein became the first nationalist party in the history of Northern Ireland that won more votes than the other parties. It is definitely a turning point while the balance of power is tipping towards nationalism. The party aims to engage with the unionists to work together and prepare for Irish unity. Sinn Fein hopes the successor of Johnson would fully comply with international law and avoid any damage to Northern Ireland. Post-election speeches by Sinn Fein’s leaders were wise to emphasize social justice regardless of religious and political background. Westminster has always had a profound impact on Northern Ireland’s society and politics. Now, Sinn Fein has the opportunity to change the course and develop political unionism in Northern Ireland.
Conclusion
The nationalist party Sinn Fein openly expressed joy, after Boris Johnson’s demission. Northern Ireland did not experience positive involvement during Johnson’s tenure as the UK prime minister. The Brexit deal that he arranged had divisive consequences among political parties in Northern Ireland. Nationalists have grown to be stronger there, and thanks to Johnson, Brexit has pushed toward Irish unity. However, his successor may rearrange London’s involvement in Northern Ireland. Today, more than a hundred years after the creation of Northern Ireland, the nationalists are the dominant power. Sinn Fein’s core political objective is always the United Irish. Furthermore, an executive of nationalists aims to prepare for Irish unity. Sinn Fein must work closely with the other parties to overcome the political impasse and prepare for Ireland’s reunification.
