Latest news with #Varadkar
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Varadkar says election of Farage as UK prime minister could influence a united Ireland vote
Mr Varadkar, who stood down as taoiseach in April last year, said it is possible Mr Farage will be prime minister in four years or nine years' time. He described British politics as 'very volatile'. Reform made big gains in local elections in England and Wales last month. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme that he hoped Mr Farage will not be the next British prime minister. The former Fine Gael leader said if Mr Farage became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland [towards Irish unity],' he said. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well.' Mr Varadkar also claimed that councils run by Reform in England were preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags. 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that,' he said. 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification. 'I do want to be very clear about this, it's not something I hope happens.' Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be taking place, but that a date should not be fixed, as the numbers to win are not in place. 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards,' he said. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland. 'I think that will carry true, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for.' He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident'. 'I think it has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it,' he said.
The Journal
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Leo Varadkar says he would sacrifice economic growth for a united Ireland
FORMER TAOISEACH LEO Varadkar has said that he would 'forgo two years of economic growth' for the unification of Ireland. Varadkar made the claim during an interview with BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme, where he described British politics as 'very vile'. He said that he did not think a date should be fixed for an Irish unity referendum, as nationalists did not have the numbers to win. He added that planning for a united Ireland should take place, however. 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards,' he said. 'Look at the trajectory, and that is clear. We see it in elections. We see it in opinion polls. We see it in demographics. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory,' he added. "Would I be willing to forgo two years of economic growth for the unification of my island? I would." Former Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar speaking to @MarkCarruthers7 about Irish unity. Read more on @BBCNewsNI Watch the interview on @bbctheview — Darran Marshall (@DarranMarshall) June 19, 2025 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident', and said it is something that has to be 'worked towards'. Advertisement Last year, a report by the Institute of International and European Affairs found that a united Ireland would cost €20 billion every year for 20 years . Varadkar dismissed concerns of cost however, saying that he would 'be willing to forgo two years of economic growth for the unification of my island'. Northern Ireland 'would not like' Farage During the interview, Varadkar made clear that he hoped Reform UK leader Nigel Farage did not become prime minister – though he conceded that it is possible that Farage will win the most seats in the next general election. Varadkar said he believed the possibility of Farage as prime minister 'would change the picture in terms of attitudes' towards independence in Scotland and unificiation in Northern Ireland. He added that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Farage took charge. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well,' Varadkar told BBC's The View. He explained that Reform-run councils in England were 'preventing people from flying pride or progress flags'. 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that,' the former Fine Gael leader said. He believes there are people in Northern Ireland 'from both backgrounds, or both traditions, that have a liberal and European outlook'. 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he added. With reporting from Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
North Wales Chronicle
18 hours ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Nigel Farage as British PM would put Irish unity ‘centre stage'
Mr Varadkar, who stood down as taoiseach in April last year, said it is possible Mr Farage will be prime minister in four years or nine years time. He described British politics as 'very volatile'. Reform made big gains in local elections in England and Wales in May. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme, which will be aired on Thursday night, that he hoped Mr Farage is not the next British prime minister. The former Fine Gael leader said if the Reform leader became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland (towards Irish unity),' he said. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well.' He also claimed that councils run by Reform in England were preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags. Mr Varadkar added: 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that. 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he added. 'I do want to be very clear about this, it's not something I hope happens. 'I hope it doesn't happen.' Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' 'I think that will carry true, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for.' He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident'. 'I think (it) has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it,' he added. 'Look at the trajectory, and that is clear. We see it in elections. We see it in opinion polls. We see it in demographics.'
South Wales Guardian
20 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Nigel Farage as British PM would put Irish unity ‘centre stage'
Mr Varadkar, who stood down as taoiseach in April last year, said it is possible Mr Farage will be prime minister in four years or nine years time. He described British politics as 'very volatile'. Reform made big gains in local elections in England and Wales in May. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme, which will be aired on Thursday night, that he hoped Mr Farage is not the next British prime minister. The former Fine Gael leader said if the Reform leader became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland (towards Irish unity),' he said. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well.' He also claimed that councils run by Reform in England were preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags. Mr Varadkar added: 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that. 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he added. 'I do want to be very clear about this, it's not something I hope happens. 'I hope it doesn't happen.' Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' 'I think that will carry true, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for.' He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident'. 'I think (it) has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it,' he added. 'Look at the trajectory, and that is clear. We see it in elections. We see it in opinion polls. We see it in demographics.'
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nigel Farage as British PM would put Irish unity ‘centre stage'
Former Irish premier Leo Varadkar said that Irish unity would become 'centre stage' if Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was elected UK prime minister. Mr Varadkar, who stood down as taoiseach in April last year, said it is possible Mr Farage will be prime minister in four years or nine years time. He described British politics as 'very volatile'. Reform made big gains in local elections in England and Wales in May. Mr Varadkar told BBC Northern Ireland's The View programme, which will be aired on Thursday night, that he hoped Mr Farage is not the next British prime minister. The former Fine Gael leader said if the Reform leader became prime minister, it would 'change the pictures in terms of attitudes towards independence in Scotland'. 'I think it would change the views of some people in the middle ground in Northern Ireland (towards Irish unity),' he said. 'It isn't just because a right-wing nationalist government in London would want to bring the UK and Northern Ireland away from Europe. It is other things as well.' He also claimed that councils run by Reform in England were preventing people from flying Pride or progress flags. Mr Varadkar added: 'I don't think most people in Northern Ireland would like that. 'If that's the kind of government they had in London versus a government in Dublin that was very different, it might make them more likely to vote yes to unification,' he added. 'I do want to be very clear about this, it's not something I hope happens. 'I hope it doesn't happen.' Mr Varadkar said he believes planning for a united Ireland should be happening, but that a date should not be fixed as the numbers to win are not in place. He added: 'I don't think a united Ireland is inevitable, I think it's something that we have to work towards. 'But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory. 'Demographic factors, polling, even the most recent numbers showing that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland want there to be a new united Ireland.' 'I think that will carry true, and that's why I think it's something that we should plan for.' He said Irish unity will not happen 'by osmosis or by accident'. 'I think (it) has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it,' he added. 'Look at the trajectory, and that is clear. We see it in elections. We see it in opinion polls. We see it in demographics.'
