On 23rd June 2016 the people of the North voted to remain in the EU. They did so because it is in their best interests politically and economically. Brexit poses a huge threat to the future of the people of Ireland in terms of a land border on the island, the north being forced out of the single market, barriers to trade, potential devastation of agriculture, not to mention the implications for the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.
Sinn Féin has argued that the only credible approach is for the north to be designated special status within the EU and for the whole island of Ireland to remain within the EU together. There is widespread support for such a position and it can be delivered in the Brexit negotiations. The EU has shown itself to be flexible in dealing with different forms of integration and different forms of relationships for member states and non-member states.
We have also argued that the European Union needs to change. Sinn Féin wants a social Europe, which promotes peace, demilitarisation, economic and social justice, international solidarity and greater democratic accountability.
Sinn Féin has published a series of documents in relation to Brexit which set out the case for designated special status for the North, how special status can be delivered in the Brexit negotiations, how Ireland and the EU can flight the economic impact of Brexit north and south, why the North must achieve special status within the EU in order to protect farming and agri-food and a keynote speech from Gerry Adams in relation to Brexit.