Jeffrey Donaldson accuses Sinn Féin of engaging in ‘fantasy’ on border poll for united Ireland

Jeffrey Donaldson has said unionists must recognise they no longer live in a place where “70pc of the population are red, white and blue British”.

The DUP leader said the choices unionists make today “will either grow support for Northern Ireland or will cede ground to the enemies of the Union”.

Addressing his party members in Newry and Armagh on Wednesday night, Jeffrey said that Northern Ireland’s future did not lie with “a court or Parliament, it rests in the hands of our children and grandchildren: they will determine the Union’s longevity”.

Jeffrey said that while some in unionism focussed on “seeking out heretics”, he was “in the business of winning converts and growing support” for the Union.

The DUP leader also accused Sinn Féin of engaging in “fantasy” on a border poll, with Gerry Adams’ previous prediction of Irish unity by 2016 now replaced with Michelle O’Neill’s aspiration of a border poll by 2034.

However, Jeffrey recognised that Northern Ireland was a changing place.

“As leaders of unionism, we must realise that a demographic and political shift is taking place,” he said

“Either we close our eyes and ignore it, or we recognise that we are no longer in a place where 70pc of the population are red, white and blue British.”

The DUP leader described himself as a long-time Privy Council member, MP for 27 years, “proud royalist”, Presbyterian, and a long-standing Orangeman who came from a family who served with the Royal Irish Regiment.

“The symbols I identify with include the harp and crown I wore with pride as my (UDR) cap badge,” he said.

“I value my Britishness as represented by the crown, but I also value the Irish element of my identity as represented by the harp.

“To be Northern Irish and British is not at all a mutually exclusive thing.

“The Northern Ireland of 2024 is made up of people who are British, Irish, Northern Irish and some emerging identities who don’t sit within any of the above.

“As unionists, our vision for a Northern Ireland that works for everyone is one that embraces all of these identities.

“These people live, work and raise their families here because it’s their home.

“They must be able to feel at home whether in their Britishness, their Irishness or something in between.”

Jeffrey said fully functioning Stormont institutions delivering for people was the best way to strengthen the Union.

He said DUP membership had been “steadily growing” in recent weeks and while certain opponents might find it “interesting and even fulfilling” being critical, “it is the sure and certain path to self-destruction and reducing support for our cause”.

Jeffrey dismissed Sinn Féin’s calls for a referendum on a united Ireland as “fantasy stuff” with constantly changing dates.

“In 2011, Gerry Adams told us Northern Ireland would have left the UK by 2016. In August 2021, Gerry had changed 2016 to 2024,” he said

“In May 2022, Mary Lou McDonald called for a border poll by 2027. In July 2022, Mary Lou McDonald changed from 2027 to 2030.

“Just this month, Michelle O’Neill had shifted the Sinn Féin goalposts again to call for a border poll by 2034.”

Jeffrey added: “If Sinn Féin needs to throw border poll dates to the republican base, let’s not all get caught up in that game.

“Our objective must be to make Northern Ireland an economic powerhouse for the UK.

“This, more than anything, will secure our place in the Union for generations to come.”

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