Political “chaos” at Westminster is leading people to turn away from the Union, a Stormont minister has said.
Caoimhe Archibald, the Sinn Fein Economy Minister in Northern Ireland, said it “does not matter” who is in 10 Downing Street because “no British prime minister prioritises the interests of people here”.
Speculation continues to build about a possible leadership challenge to Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting, a possible contender, has set out his desire for a “new special relationship” with the EU, and to eventually rejoin the trade bloc.
Ms Archibald told the BBC’s Sunday Politics show that what was playing out in London was “an extension of the chaos that we have seen play out for the past 10 years”.
She said: “Brexit broke Britain economically, it has also broken it politically.
“When you talk about who is in 10 Downing Street, I would argue that no British prime minister prioritises the interests of people here and that has been very clear over recent years.
“I also point to the bad decisions that have been made by prime ministers by ignoring the interests of people here.
“What has happened in the last 10 years in the course of Brexit really underlines that.”
She added: “Brexit was a huge act of self-harm from a political and economic perspective.”
Ms Archibald pointed to the fact that there are now nationalist first ministers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
She said: “People are continuing to turn away from the Union, they recognise it is not in their interest, that chaos, the introspection, the looking inwards economically and having this constant debate around being part of Europe or not being part of Europe, the infighting within the political parties about who is leader, it does not serve the interests of people here.
“It doesn’t make us be able to better deliver public services and to be better able to deliver for people who are struggling with the cost of living.
“It does not matter who is in Number 10, they are not going to prioritise the interests of people here.
“What we are seeing is more and more people who are turning away from the union with Britain and recognising there is an alternative.”
Politics: Streeting reopening Brexit wars by calling for UK return to EU ‘a bit odd’
Demand for cruises appears undimmed despite hantavirus and other onboard outbreaks
Labour leadership rivals caught up in debate over EU ties
Mick Jagger wins two-year battle to stop River Thames tower block development
Dr Hook frontman Dennis Locorriere dies aged 76
He saved Currys, now will lead Boots to a major change next year - who is this CEO?
