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UK PM's office says position on Irish unity unchanged after Trump comments - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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UK PM's office says position on Irish unity unchanged after Trump comments

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 12, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: September 12, 2026

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UK Prime Minister's Stance on Irish Unity Remains Firm After Trump Comments

Prime Minister Andy Burnham Responds to Irish Unification Debate

Official Statement Following Trump’s Remarks

LONDON, Sept 12 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's position on Irish unification remains unchanged, a spokesperson for his office said on Saturday, following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump that he would "love" to see a united Ireland.

Parliamentary Discussion on Border Poll

Responding to questions from lawmakers in parliament on Wednesday about a possible border poll in Northern Ireland, Burnham said: "I am not aware that there is majority public support for another referendum, and until that changes, there will not be one."

Reaffirmation of Prime Minister’s Position

A spokesperson for Burnham's office said on Saturday the prime minister's remarks still stood after Trump told reporters after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin that unification would happen eventually.

(Reporting by William James and Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Conor Humphries)

Key Takeaways

  • Burnham reaffirmed that a border poll on Irish unity is “off the table” until there’s majority public support, citing lack of consensus under current conditions (rte.ie).
  • Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant clarified that Burnham’s comments reflect the present situation and confirmed full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement’s provisions on border polls (rte.ie).
  • U.S. President Trump, speaking after meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, said he would “love” to see Irish reunification and that it would happen eventually, adding international context to the political debate (reddit.com).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UK's current position on Irish unity?
The UK government’s position remains unchanged, stating there is no majority public support for another referendum on Irish unification.
Did UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham respond to President Trump's comments?
Yes, Burnham’s spokesperson confirmed his previous remarks still stand after President Trump's comments about supporting a united Ireland.
What did President Donald Trump say about Irish unification?
President Trump stated he would 'love' to see a united Ireland and predicted that unification would eventually happen.
Will there be a border poll in Northern Ireland soon?
Prime Minister Burnham said there will not be another border poll until majority public support exists for a new referendum.

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