Brexit is a ‘tragedy for both islands’ says Brendan Howlin

The leader of the Labour Party in Ireland Brendan Howlin has described the result of the British exit referendum as a "tragedy for both islands" and a huge reverse for the huge progress made in Ireland's relations with Britain over 43 years.

“I said several months ago that the decision could be seismic for this country as well as for the people of Britain. I am extremely disappointed at the outcome but we have to accept the view expressed,” he said.

He said the decision was going to have a major impact on Ireland and the State might struggle to respond because of the unstable nature of the current political set up.

“It adds another layer of instability. If you look at our perspective, we have a fundamentally unstable Government in the Republic right now. It does not have a majority in the Dáil. So it’s unstable. And now we have instability next door as well.”

Asked could a collective response from Irish political parties be achieved, he replied it was a laudable objective but not possible.

“There was a spokesman from the AAA-PBP alliance out today already welcoming the result when our stock market has fallen 12 per cent and the future trading relationship with our biggest trading partner is in flux. It’s an extraordinary response.”

“The notion of a collective response is fanciful.” He said the Labour Party would be willing to work constructively with Government and with “people in the Opposition who want us to succeed in the EU”.

The Irish Labour Party was involved in the Remain campaign, particularly in the latter stages. The engagement was limited given the party’s reduced representation following its defeat in the General Election.

Mr Howlin himself canvassed last week with Conor McGinn, the MP representing Labour in St Helen’s near Liverpool.

Last week the signs were not at all encouraging, said Mr Howlin. “He (Mr McGinn) was comfortably elected last year. He told me last week was the most difficult he had in any campaign, as he was seeking to get out a Remain vote.”

The Labour leader said he had received early texts from his Labour counterparts in Britain. He said the matter would be a primary theme at a summit of sister parties across the EU early next month where the repercussions will be analysed.

“Clearly , we must minimise the negative impact . From the Labour party perspective we are very pro European and will work to ensure that the transition now will have at least an impact as possible.

“We have to ensure that we maintain an open Border and that trading between Ireland and the UK is not affected. All of these things will not be easy. There are complicated negotiations ahead of us.

“Those who argued for Leave had not thought the strategy through and not anticipated the complex legal questions we would all face, including what will happen to the Border (with Northern Ireland).

He said the fact that many British Labour stronghold constituencies had voted decisively to leave pointed to a fundamental disconnect between people and parties, and also the economic reality they now face.

“Some have very uncertain prospects . Their life changes, they are worried about their children’s futures. They are looking for somebody to blame.”

“There is a job of work for Labour Party in Britain to reconnect.”

He said the countervailing decisions of voters in Scotland and Northern Ireland to remain added a further layer of complexity and difficulty.

He said the prime responsibility for the defeat lay with British prime minster David Cameron, who made a settlement with people within his own party but did not expect this outcome.

Mr Howlin said he was not surprised by Mr Cameron’s decision to resign in light of the result.

Asked could there be a second referendum, Mr Howlin said that was not possible. “This was always a one-way decision . Whatever was decided was decided and settled.”