Caoimhe Archibald, the Sinn Fein Economy Minister in Northern Ireland, has stated that political 'chaos' at Westminster is turning people away from the Union. She argued that it 'does not matter' who is Prime Minister, as no British leader prioritises the interests of people in Northern Ireland.
Leadership speculation
Speculation continues to mount about a potential leadership challenge to Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Former health secretary Wes Streeting, a possible contender, has outlined his desire for a 'new special relationship' with the European Union, and eventually to rejoin the trade bloc.
Archibald's criticism
Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics show, Ms Archibald described the situation in London as 'an extension of the chaos that we have seen play out for the past 10 years'. She said: 'Brexit broke Britain economically, it has also broken it politically.'
'When you talk about who is in 10 Downing Street, I would argue that no British prime minister prioritises the interests of people here and that has been very clear over recent years. I also point to the bad decisions that have been made by prime ministers by ignoring the interests of people here.'
She added: 'What has happened in the last 10 years in the course of Brexit really underlines that. Brexit was a huge act of self-harm from a political and economic perspective.'
Growing nationalist sentiment
Ms Archibald noted that there are now nationalist first ministers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. She said: 'People are continuing to turn away from the Union, they recognise it is not in their interest, that chaos, the introspection, the looking inwards economically and having this constant debate around being part of Europe or not being part of Europe, the infighting within the political parties about who is leader, it does not serve the interests of people here.'
'It doesn't make us be able to better deliver public services and to be better able to deliver for people who are struggling with the cost of living. It does not matter who is in Number 10, they are not going to prioritise the interests of people here. What we are seeing is more and more people who are turning away from the union with Britain and recognising there is an alternative.'
