McDonald Urges UK And Irish Governments To Lead Unity Conversation

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald will tell Labour Party conference that the 'constitutional futures' of both islands require systematic focus and a negotiated timeframe for referenda by 2030.

McDonald will address the party's event, 'Peace to Unity: A New Chapter in British–Irish Relations', at the British Labour Party Conference in Liverpool this evening, Monday, 29 September 2025.

Ms McDonald is expected to call on both governments to lead the conversation on Irish reunification, arguing that "the unity conversation is live, happing in real time," and that governments must "catch-up" with the people.

She will state that a systematic focus on the constitutional futures of Britain and Ireland is required, led at the highest levels. While acknowledging the ‘UK-Ireland 2030 Steering Group’ established in March 2025 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ms McDonald will insist this work "must now go much further," stating that a border poll and referenda on Irish reunification "cannot be ignored".

Ms McDonald will emphasise that no single party owns this process, but all parties, civic society, industry, and unions have obligations to lead.

She will call on the two governments to "set out proposals for delivering legal, fair and decisive referenda and a negotiated timeframe by the end of this decade".

Concluding her remarks, Ms McDonald will say: "The Labour government played a central role in securing peace in 1998. The next challenge is moving from peace to unity, through a peaceful, organised and planned transition, opening up a new chapter in British-Irish relations."

Bradshaw Warns 'Lack Of Action' On Skin Cancer Is Costing Patients

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, former Chair of the All-Party Group on Cancer at Stormont, has warned that a failure to take transformative action on skin cancer will result in patients continuing to suffer the consequences of a failing system.

The South Belfast MLA stated that waiting lists for skin cancer are "shamefully high" and, due to successive Health Ministers failing to deliver necessary reforms, the situation is likely to deteriorate. Ms Bradshaw outlined the required actions: the implementation of Rapid Diagnosis Centres, the Elected Care Framework, and broader public information campaigns focused on prevention and early intervention. She stressed that without political leadership and targeted funding, these vital plans are stalling.

She said the nine-month waiting list figures are a stark reminder that patients are "paying the price for a lack of meaningful action." The MLA called on the current Minister to recognise the rising needs of the population and take decisive, transformative action.

Ms Bradshaw criticised the Reset Plan published in July, which she claimed "demonstrated nothing of the kind, displaying only confusion about the fundamental causes of long waiting lists and the changes required across Health and Social Care to fix them."

She concluded that inaction carries a cost to both patients and the overall healthcare system, and Northern Ireland deserves a functional health service that is transformed in line with the principles agreed in Bengoa, "not just talking about it".

Police Appeal After Theft Of Tools From Van In Annalong

Nail guns, drills, grinders, and batteries were among a 'significant number of items' stolen from a vehicle on Mill Road between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

Police in Newry are appealing for witnesses and information following the report of a theft in the Annalong area.

Sergeant Dougherty confirmed that the PSNI received a report at around 9.22am on Sunday, 28 September 2025, regarding the theft of a number of tools from a van in the Mill Road area.

It is understood that the theft occurred sometime between 3pm on Saturday, 27 September 2025, and 7am on Sunday, 28 September 2025. A significant number of items were taken, including nail guns, drills, grinders, and batteries.

Police enquiries are ongoing, and anyone who was in the area and may have information, including CCTV or other video footage, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 430 of 28/09/25.

Alternatively, a report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/, or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.