Sinn Féin president McDonald: There is no good Brexit

Sinn Féin is a euro-critical party. There are fundamental questions to be asked about the direction of the EU, said Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.

Speaking at a Sinn Féin convention in Belfast which selected Martina Anderson to be the party’s candidate in the north Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald said:  “The people of the north voted against leaving the EU. That vote should be respected. There is no good Brexit. There is no overall opportunity or upside. Brexit undermines our hard-won agreements, rights and the prosperity of citizens."

McDonald continued: "The Withdrawal Agreement and the Backstop negotiated by the EU remains the minimum required to safeguard Irish interests. It is the least worst option. 

Sinn Féin is a euro-critical party. There are fundamental questions to be asked about the direction of the EU.

The north leaving is not the answer. Leaving was never the answer. 

All of Ireland should be in the EU, leading a fair and social Europe, opposing federalisation and the creation of an EU army."

McDonald added: "Brexit demonstrates the undemocratic nature of partition.  It also demonstrates the power that we have to shape change. Let us continue to be a strong, unyielding voice in the Europe.

Let us return an All-Ireland team, Martina in the North along with  Matt Carthy from the Midland North West, Liadh Ní Riada in Ireland South and Lynn Boylan in Dublin."