Ireland will be united, says Gordon Brown

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has stated in a recent interview that the reunification of Ireland is inevitable in the long term, though he emphasized it would require mutual agreement and a gradual process. Brown, who played a key role in Northern Ireland peace efforts during his tenure as Chancellor under Tony Blair and later as Prime Minister, made these remarks while discussing his new book, *The Future Starts With Us*. His comments come amid ongoing debates over the constitutional future of the United Kingdom, including Scottish independence and the political status of Northern Ireland.

Brown’s remarks on Irish reunification follow his strong opposition to Scottish independence, which he argued would be detrimental to Scotland’s economic and social ties with the rest of the UK. He pointed to geographical, economic, and cultural connections as reasons why Scotland should remain within the union. However, he suggested that Northern Ireland’s proximity to the Republic of Ireland made reunification a more plausible scenario over time. "Yes. Well, of course, in the long term, Ireland will be united," Brown said, while stressing that any such move would depend on public agreement.

The former prime minister also addressed environmental and energy policy, particularly regarding the future of North Sea oil and gas production. Brown argued against a strict binary choice between fossil fuels and renewables, instead advocating for a managed transition that leverages existing infrastructure. He proposed that North Sea oil and gas expertise could be repurposed for hydrogen production, floating wind farms, and carbon capture technologies. This transition, he suggested, could be facilitated through a European consortium involving Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark.

In discussing renewable energy costs, Brown highlighted the declining expense of solar and wind power compared to traditional fossil fuels, positioning environmental investment as economically beneficial in the long run. He also expressed reluctance to interfere in the decisions of Andy Burnham, the current Mayor of Greater Manchester and a former member of Brown’s cabinet, though he offered his perspective on North Sea energy policy.

Brown’s remarks come as the UK grapples with energy security, climate goals, and constitutional debates. His views on Irish reunification and North Sea energy reflect broader discussions about the UK’s future and its role in European energy and political landscapes.

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