Irish border poll ‘off the table’, says Andy Burnham

**Irish Border Poll Not Currently Being Considered, Says Burnham**

*Belfast, 29 August 2026* – During a visit to Belfast, senior British politician Andy Burnham stated that an Irish border poll is “off the table” at present.

Burnham told reporters that his trip to the city was “to listen” to local concerns, but added that “some issues will be off the table, and that is one issue that will be off the table.” He explained that the divisions created by past referendums – the 2016 Brexit vote and the 2014 Scottish independence referendum – “take a long time to heal” and risk diverting attention from pressing economic challenges.

“The cost‑of‑living pressures that are hurting people in Northern Ireland, the need to get that budget set so that public services can function as they should – these are the things right in front of us,” Burnham said. “We need to fix the things right in front of us in the here and now.”

Under the Good Friday Agreement, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has the authority to call a border poll on Irish unification if it appears likely that a majority would support it. The agreement also requires a majority vote in the Republic of Ireland for any constitutional change to take effect.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant has previously indicated that a border poll is “not top of my list of priorities.” Burnham’s comments echo that stance, emphasizing a focus on immediate socioeconomic issues rather than constitutional questions.

The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about the future of the island of Ireland, but no formal decision has been made to initiate a border poll.

Article and image source: breakingnews.ie