The recent election on 4 July saw Sinn Féin return as the largest party from the north in Westminster, alongside being the largest party in local councils and the Assembly.
Since 2022, our electoral successes have strengthened our mandate and most importantly, our ability to deliver for workers and families.
Michelle O’Neill is now in place as a First Minister for all, and leading our team of ministers in the Executive to deliver for people in all communities.
In the Westminster election, we stood on a platform of strong leadership, positive change and a commitment to work for every single citizen across the north.
We offered voters the opportunity to endorse decisions about their lives and their future being made at home, in Ireland.
We believe change will only be delivered in the north by working with the other parties in our local institutions.
As Irish republicans, we know Westminster does not serve our people well.
People throughout Ireland have seen the chaos and disaster that has emanated from the green benches of Westminster over the past number of years.
Particularly with the Tories’ disastrous Brexit which has damaged our local economy and impacted businesses and communities.
As Sinn Féin MPs, we are in London on a regular basis, representing our constituents and working hard to deliver for them.
We meet with senior members of the British government and also have relations with all the other opposition parties.
And importantly, we are working alongside a strong all-island Sinn Féin team to ensure our constituent’s voices are heard in Dublin, Belfast, Brussels, London and North America.
People see the electoral strength and influence that Sinn Féin has, and how we deliver.
They see us on the ground, supporting workers and families through our busy constituency offices and services helping communities.
It is wrong and totally undemocratic that Westminster continues to retain powers which should be held at home, in Ireland.
A growing desire for change continues to sweep across all levels of Irish society, with people increasingly looking towards a stronger, better and fairer island.
Now is the time to seize the opportunity to work together to build a brighter and better future for everyone who calls our island home.
We are clear – planning and preparation for a new Ireland must begin immediately, and this should be lead by the Irish government.
They should establish a Citizens’ Assembly on constitutional change, where everyone is welcome, everyone is included, and where people can openly share their ideas, their hopes, and their ambitions.
We have the chance to shape a more prosperous and vibrant future.
An opportunity to create an efficient all-Ireland national health service, a sustainable housing system, affordable childcare, and a fair and just transition to a carbon neutral economy.
And the full resumption of EU membership which the Tories’ calamitous Brexit tore away from our citizens against their wishes.
Since day one after the election, Sinn Féin MPs have been working to deliver.
We have already met with the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Hilary Benn, the British Secretary of State for the north.
The previous and the new British government acknowledged the north is underfunded.
We have called for fairer funding for health, education and public services in the north.
For too long, workers and families have bore the brunt of savage Tory cuts and austerity.
We also reiterated the need for immediate funding to be released to build Casement Park and seize the enormous economic opportunities of hosting Euro 2028.
We welcome the commitment to scrap the shameful Legacy Act, which has failed victims and survivors, and look forward to seeing what the approach will be in the time ahead.
We urged him to work for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, an end to the genocide and collective punishment of the Palestinians, the release of all hostages and the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.
The election of the new British government is an opportunity to foster positive relations between Britain and Ireland and the EU.
The British government is a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. That means embracing the principles of rigorous impartiality and respecting the provisions in the Good Friday Agreement for constitutional change.
We are hopeful the new government will work with the Executive on matters related to the Protocol and Brexit so our businesses and traders can continue to take advantage of our unique access to the EU and British markets.
With Sinn Féin’s strong mandate, we will be pressing the British government continually on the issues which matter most to our people.
We will be building towards a better future filled with hope and optimism.
A future our children and grandchildren can enjoy, cherish and prosper in.
A future together in a new and better Ireland.
Labour Briefing Co-operative 