NORTHERN Ireland First Minister Paul Givan announced his resignation today, paralysing the territory’s government because of disputes over the impact of Brexit on continued British rule.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician had been rumoured ready to resign for a week, with DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arguing that EU withdrawal arrangements were undermining Northern Ireland’s status as an integral part of the United Kingdom by forcing customs checks between it and Britain.
Sinn Fein immediately called for an early election, warning: “We cannot stagger on for months without a functioning executive. Sinn Fein will not facilitate this. The people must have their say.”
A new group within the NEU is preparing the labour movement for a conversation on Irish unity by arguing that true liberation must be rooted in working-class solidarity and anti-sectarianism, writes ROBERT POOLE
The independent TD’s campaign has put important issues like Irish reunification and military neutrality at the heart of the political conversation, argues SEAN MacBRADAIGH


