SDLP leader Colum Eastwood
Mr Eastwood said that it will require unprecedented political selflessness from this generation of political leaders but that they must work together to stop Johnson and protect Northern Ireland.
He said: “Boris Johnson’s reported offer to the European Union literally doubles down on his hard border plan.
“A regulatory border in the Irish Sea and a customs border across this island will strangle the local economy and runs contrary to the interests of communities and businesses here.
“It is clear that he now sees himself as the Brexit Godfather, making an offer that the EU can only refuse.
“The British Government is accelerating toward a no-deal exit on 31st October and it must be stopped.
“I have written to the Leaders of the Labour Party, the SNP and the Liberal Democrats at Westminster today asking them to take part in an unprecedented act of political selflessness to stop this chaos and protect the fragile interests of Northern Ireland.
“They must come together, pass a motion of no confidence in Johnson and unite behind a common candidate as a temporary measure to extend the Article 50 period.
“Compromise is difficult, particularly where it involves setting aside perceived political advantage. Parties in the North know that better than most.
“But the Westminster parties have all used the fragility of Northern Ireland as a tool in their political strategies to date.
“They must now prove that their commitment to protecting this place runs deeper than oneupmanship.
“Parties must be prepared to do the uncomfortable and the unprecedented to take on this no-deal government.
“Every vote at Westminster will count. And while Northern Ireland’s MPs vote against our interests, or sit the fight out altogether, it’s time someone took a stand,” added Mr Eastwood.
