Sunday 8 May 2022 07:59 AM Boris faces NI meltdown after Sinn Fein WINS elections trends now
Boris Johnson is facing a Brexit meltdown after Sinn Fein won Northern Ireland elections for the first time - with threats of a reunification poll within five years.
The Republicans sailed to what would once have been an unthinkable victory in the province overnight, with Michelle O'Neill now set to be nominated as First Minister.
However, the Stormont executive looks unlikely to get up and running as the DUP - beaten into second place - has already indicated that it will not agree to take the deputy role.
The Good Friday Agreement requires Republican and Unionist factions to govern jointly in order for the system to function.
Completely overhauling the Brexit divorce terms has been the key demand of the DUP, who say they draw a border between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland.
But talks between the UK government and the EU have been essentially stalled for months, and Brussels has insisted it will not give more ground.
The standoff paves the way for months of deepening tensions and political drift in Northern Ireland, that could also poison post-Brexit relations.
The Stormont executive looks unlikely to get up and running as the DUP - led by Jeffrey Donaldson (left) - has already indicated that it will not agree to take the deputy role with Michelle O'Neill (right) as First Minister
Boris Johnson (pictured in South Ruislip on Friday) is facing a Brexit meltdown after Sinn Fein won Northern Ireland elections for the first time
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill, left, and party leader Mary Lou McDonald take a selfie at Medow Bank election count centre in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
Sinn Fein Vice-President Michelle O'Neill makes an acceptance speech at the Northern Ireland Assembly Election count centre
Pictured: Giving her acceptance speech in Magherafelt earlier today, Michelle O'Neill (left) said that the electorate wanted politicians to get working on solving everyday issues
Pictured: Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and Irish republican Sinn Fein party member Michelle O'Neill (second from left) stands with Sinn Fein party President Mary Lou McDonald (second from right)
Ms O'Neill described it as an 'historic day' yesterday and pledged 'real change', while trying to soothe anxious unionists by adding that her party 'will work hard for everyone'. The combined unionist vote was still larger than that for Sinn Fein but had split.
O'Neill has said there is a demand from voters to form an Executive next week, and that there is 'space in this state for everyone, all of us together'.
Giving her acceptance speech in Magherafelt, Ms O'Neill said that the electorate wanted politicians to get working on solving everyday issues, such as the healthcare waiting lists and the rising cost of living.
'And that's the reason why on Monday we must all turn up together,' Ms O'Neill said.
'That's the reason why on Monday, there is an urgency to restore an Executive and start putting money back in people's pockets, to start to fix the health service. The people can't wait.
'I will lead my team to Stormont on Monday. The people have told us during the course of this election that they expect us to work together. The people are right.'
However, Sinn Fein's victory will cause more political gridlock at the assembly, which was collapsed by the DUP in February.
Sinn Fein northern leader Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald take selfie
Pictured: Sinn Fein's First Minister-elect Michelle O'Neill (above) has said it is 'time for real change' as she is poised to make history as the first nationalist leader of Northern Ireland
Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald (left) arrives with Vice-President Michelle O'Neill (right) to the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast as counting continued yesterday afternoon
Writing in the Mail on Sunday, former Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith said that Sinn Fein's surge combined with the SNP's victory in Scotland meant 'our cherished Union has never been under greater threat'.
'We now have two
