As her nationalist party prepares for a historic election victory, Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill declared on Saturday that Northern Ireland was entering a “new age,” promoting a “healthy conversation” about ending UK sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Today is the start of a new epoch.\u201d This is a turning point in our politics and for our people.” She told supporters and the media as the complete Mid Ulster constituency results were announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I will create inclusive leadership that embraces diversity and ensures rights and equality for individuals who have previously been excluded, discriminated against, or disregarded,” she continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
O’Neill is on track to become Northern Ireland’s first nationalist leader, with the dominant unionist party behind in second place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Democratic Unionist Party has said it will not join a future Northern Ireland government unless the UK abandons post-Brexit trade rules with the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The people have spoken, and now it is our obligation to show up.” “I expect others to show up as well,” O’Neill told reporters, emphasizing that the next administration must first address the UK’s cost-of-living crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She did say, though, that a “constructive dialogue” on Irish reunification is already underway, a century after Northern Ireland was divided into a Protestant kingdom under British rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n