SDLP leader Colum Eastwood
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said British Prime Minister Theresa May will ride “roughshold” over those in the North voted to remain in the EU.
He was commenting commented ahead of today’s British cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet has been called to a meeting at Chequers to discuss Brexit in the wake of June’s vote to leave the European Union.
Said the Foyle MLA: “It is deeply concerning that the briefings ahead of this Cabinet meeting have solely referenced an “orderly departure” from the European Union.
“It is increasingly clear that the British Prime Minister, left unopposed, will run roughshod over the wishes of the people in the North who voted to remain as part of the European Union.
“We must not tolerate a situation where the future of the North and of this island is again determined by Tories at Chequers.
“The Irish and Scottish people have chosen a different future to the English.
“Theresa May appears more concerned about the divisions in her own cabinet than about the division in the regions who voted to oppose Brexit.
“Again the Northern Ireland Executive is sleeping at the wheel. Instead of demanding that the North’s vote be respected they seem happy to be sideline commentators.
“Rather than simply sending letters they should be leading.’
“In the absence of their leadership, I have vowed that the SDLP will use every parliamentary and legal tool to ensure that the North remains a part of the European Union.
“Our name is already attached to a legal challenge and we are determined to see that process through to its end.
“We have met with government and opposition leaders in Dublin and socialist leaders from across Europe where we have made it clear that the views of the majority of people in Northern Ireland should be respected,” added the SDLP leader.
