Hard Brexit can lead to united Ireland

A no-deal Brexit could lead to a united Ireland as more people in Northern Ireland would “come to question the union” with Britain, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said.

His comments came after new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday said Brexit is a “massive economic opportunity” and the current Brexit deal was unacceptable.

Tension around the withdrawal deal centres on the so-called Irish backstop -- a mechanism designed to preserve the bloc’s single market and prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.

Varadkar warned a no-deal Brexit could see more people in the North question the union with England, Scotland and Wales.

“People who you might describe as moderate nationalists or moderate Catholics who were more or less happy with the status quo will look more towards a united Ireland,” Varadkar said Friday.

Vardakar said there could be no Brexit deal without the Irish backstop, which Johnson is committed to abolishing.

In a speech in Manchester, Johnson promised to give more powers to local communities, as well as boost broadband and transport infrastructure in a speech focused on domestic issues.

“Taking back control doesn’t just apply to Westminster regaining sovereignty from the EU, it means our cities and counties and towns becoming more self governing,” he said.

“Leaving the EU is a massive economic opportunity to do things we’ve not been allowed to do for decades,” he said.

Johnson has staked his reputation on bringing Britain out of the EU by the current deadline of October 31, meaning that if new negotiations are refused the UK would crash out without a deal in place.