During a visit to Belfast on Thursday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that a referendum on Irish unification is currently “off the table.” Addressing ongoing political tensions, Burnham emphasized his intention to listen to constituents while cautioning that divisions prompted by previous referendums, such as Brexit and the Scottish independence vote, require considerable time to mend.

Under the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the secretary of state has the authority to call a border poll on Irish unification, with a legal obligation to do so if there is evidence that a majority would support unification. Any constitutional change also requires approval from voters in the Republic of Ireland.

Burnham, speaking in Belfast, indicated that some topics must be set aside for the time being, citing the border poll as one of these. He stressed the importance of concentrating on uniting communities and addressing immediate challenges, particularly the economic pressures affecting Northern Ireland. “We’ve lived through a decade where there’s been a referendum on Brexit, we had Scottish independence just before it,” Burnham said. “What we find is the rifts that come from those situations take a long time to heal, and it sets you right back.”

The Prime Minister underscored the urgency of focusing on practical issues, including tackling the cost of living crisis and finalizing the region’s budget. His comments come amid ongoing debates over Northern Ireland’s future and its political stability following recent electoral and constitutional developments.