A new Ireland is an alternative to the potential for a Reform-led UK, according to the Stormont opposition leader.
Matthew O’Toole was speaking after a Reform surge in recent local elections in Britain, and crisis at the top of the Labour government.
He warned the Assembly of a “rise of a dark and destructive political force”, and said a Nigel Farage-led UK Government would have a “seismic consequence” for Northern Ireland.
In NI, we have very little means of controlling politics in Britain but we do have a clear way back into the EU.
— Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) May 18, 2026
Via a new Ireland, in Europe.
We will be putting that case as the official Opppsition in Stormont today. pic.twitter.com/qUlz39ajp2
He said Irish unity would also see Northern Ireland be able to return to the European Union.
“Decisions made in Britain, specifically in Whitehall and Westminster, have an impact here,” he told MLAs.
“We’re consistently told that in relation to the budget and limitations in terms of the financial settlement, we’re told that in terms of the most routine business, whether that’s getting agreement to introduce legislation, whether that’s getting clarity on whether a certain piece of legislation applies to the north or not.” he told MLAs.
He added decisions that are made in Great Britain have huge consequences in Northern Ireland, such as the Brexit vote, while polls have suggested Reform will led the next UK government.
“Those decisions by English voters will have a seismic consequence on the public in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“We have little to no control over decisions made in Britain whether you are a nationalist or a unionist … in 2016 we voted to remain in the European Union, we were dragged out against our will by votes that took place on the other island.
“My party wants full membership, back in Europe for the people of this region with all the opportunities and benefits.
“I do not want to live in a country run by Nigel Farage, that’s not to do with the colour of my passport, I simply don’t want to live in a country governed by that charlatan, and people here of all backgrounds, including those who are not nationalists, they don’t want to live in a country run by Nigel Farage either.”
Mr O’Toole said for those living in Northern Ireland who want a new future back in the EU, the only way to make that choice is to “opt for a new Ireland back inside Europe”.
Sinn Fein MLA Declan Kearney said recent election results in England, Scotland and Wales “represent really significant political change in the landscape of those countries”.
He said the results, and Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru victories in Scotland and Wales, “should be a wake-up call for the British Government”.
“The choice is clear, more Westminster political chaos, more austerity, more ongoing isolation from the European Union and the rise of far right Reform politics, or the alternative which lies in self-determination and new constitutional arrangements,” he said.
“Irish unity is not inevitable but it is more possible now than at any stage before so the British Government should take its head out of the sand and accept that the status quo has failed.”
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley criticised the Opposition motion “at a time when families are struggling with the cost of living, waiting lists are dire, when businesses are facing enormous pressure and when people want government focused on delivery”.
He claimed the SDLP wants “not to fix these problems but to call for a divisive border poll”.
UUP MLA Steve Aiken slammed an “ill-disguised motion brought by the SDLP attempting to make the case for a united Ireland again”.
“Democracy often brings up results that may be unpalatable to others, that is indeed the price of a free vote in our United Kingdom,” he said.
“These elections in the rest of our nations saw a significant protest vote that saw in Wales the rise of a nationalist party Plaid Cymru, not as a call for independence but as a protest against decades of incompetence by the Welsh Labour Party.”
The motion was voted down by 34 votes to 33, with 16 MLAs voting in both lobbies.
