A veteran Labour MP has claimed it is “very important” that the new UK Government should call a border poll as she attended a Féile an Phobail event in Belfast.
Diane Abbott said a referendum would reveal “where public opinion lies” in NI and the Republic.
The longest-serving female Member of Parliament took part in a discussion at St Mary’s University College on the Falls Road on Friday.
“I think it’s very important to have a border poll, not least because it will establish where public opinion lies.
“I’m in favour of a united Ireland but it has to be with the consent of both sides of the border, and a border poll to establish where opinion lies is the first step towards a united Ireland.”
A packed house for @HackneyAbbott in conversation with Joe Austin during @FeileBelfast here at @StMarys_Belfastpic.twitter.com/CLTsUcYpmW
— Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) August 2, 2024
Ms Abbott told BBC News NI that she thinks it could it happen this decade.
The Labour government has previously indicated it has no intention of calling a referendum in the near future.
Just last month Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said said there was “no evidence” that the conditions have been met.
“It’s perfectly possible in the next five years because that’s what politics is like,” Ms Abbott said.
The MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987 was suspended from her party for saying Jewish, Irish and the Traveller community do not face racism “all their lives” – she was only readmitted five weeks before the General Election on July 4.
It comes a day after trade union leader Mick Lynch talked about his support for a united Ireland at the Féile.
The general secretary of the RMT union, who has Irish ancestry, said he believes in unity.
“It was the way I was brought up. But it’s got to be by consent, it’s got to a real united Ireland where people come together at their pace,” he said.
“I don’t believe in coercion. I think we have to grow a united Ireland rather than enforce it.”
The Féile festival will continue until August 11.