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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 15, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: September 15, 2026

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UK PM Maintains Stance on Irish Unity Despite Trump’s Comments

British Government Responds to US President's Remarks on Irish Unification

(Corrects September 12 story in paragraph 2 to remove quote that referred to Scotland and to clarify context of question; adds quote that refers to Ireland in paragraph 3)

Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Position Remains Unchanged

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 Questions on Independence Referendums

Responding to questions from lawmakers in parliament on Wednesday about a possible independence referendum in Scotland, Burnham began his answer with a reference to the situation in Ireland:

Burnham’s Statement on a Border Poll

"On the question of a border poll (in Ireland) ... that is to be considered by the Northern Ireland Secretary when there is clear consensus in the country — when public opinion has changed to the point at which the call has to be considered."

Reaction to President Trump's Comments

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 and Editorial Notes

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

Key Takeaways

  • US President Donald Trump said during his September 12 visit to Dublin that he would “love” to see a united Ireland and claimed it’s “going to happen eventually.” This broke longstanding US neutrality on the issue (irishtimes.com).
  • Trump’s remarks sparked strong reactions: Sinn Féin and other nationalists welcomed them as a shift in the public debate, while unionist leaders and UK officials stressed the decision must be made democratically in Northern Ireland (axios.com).
  • Burnham’s office reiterated on September 12 that the UK government’s position remains unchanged: no referendum unless there is clear consensus and public support in Northern Ireland (internazionale.it).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UK Prime Minister's position on Irish unity?
The UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's position on Irish unification remains unchanged, according to his spokesperson.
What did US President Donald Trump say about Irish unity?
Donald Trump stated he would 'love' to see a united Ireland and said unification would happen eventually.
How is a border poll on Irish unification determined?
A border poll is considered by the Northern Ireland Secretary when there is a clear consensus and significant change in public opinion.
Did the UK PM address the situation in Scotland during his statement?
Yes, the Prime Minister was responding to a question about a Scottish referendum but referenced Ireland in his answer.
Who reported and edited this news article?
Reporting was done by William James and Sam Tabahriti, with editing by Conor Humphries and Kevin Liffey.

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