Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has highlighted Sinn Fein’s hypocrisy on the issue of partition and stated that there are absolutely no grounds for the Secretary of State to call for a border poll in Northern Ireland.  

Speaking following the Scottish people’s decision to vote to remain within the United Kingdom, Lord Empey said:

“The decision of the people of Scotland to retain the 307 year old Union with Britain has denied republicans a major propaganda opportunity. I am sure the draft press releases are still sitting in Sinn Fein HQ ready to go out proclaiming that the Union was finished and it was only a matter of time before pressure would mount on unionists in Northern Ireland.

“Over the last couple of years Gerry Adams has been calling for a border poll. While I am confident unionism would win such a poll hands down, there is no need for such a vote and it would only provide republicans with an opportunity to grandstand their ideas and place themselves at the centre of attention. Republicans are basically operating a two-island, two-policy approach whereby a border is acceptable on the island of Britain but not on the island of Ireland.

“A border poll can only be called by the Secretary of State under Schedule 1 of the NI Act 1998. The key line from Schedule 1 is "the Secretary of State shall exercise the power under paragraph 1 if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland."

“There is no evidence to say it appears likely people would vote for change therefore there is absolutely no need for a border poll.

“The Secretary of State should clearly restate that she has no intention of contemplating such a poll and instead we should all concentrate on making Stormont work properly. That would be a positive use of time and effort.”