Leo Varadkar: Reform-led government in UK could be ‘accelerator’ to Irish unity

Leo Varadkar: 'I think, in the end, the UK won’t vote for Reform,” he claimed, suggesting Andy Burnham may call, and win, a snap general election if elected Labour leader.' Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

A Reform-led government in the UK that seeks to “double down on Brexit” could act as an “accelerator” towards Irish reunification, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan also suggested that a rise in English nationalism could influence the debate on the North’s constitutional future and potentially bring forward the timing of any future referendum on unity.