NATIONALIST ELLER UNIONIST? DUP och Sinn Féins användning av Långfredagsavtalet i Brexit-debatten

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the importance of the Good Friday Agreement for Northern Ireland in the ongoing debate regarding the United Kingdom´s withdrawal from the European Union, so-called Brexit. Previous research has shown that the Northern Irish community is politically divided between Nationalists and Unionists. Therefore, this study examines how the Nationalist party Sinn Féin and how the Unionist party DUP pay attention to the GFA in their presented arguments regarding Northern Ireland in the Brexit debate. Moreover, this study applies the constructivism theory based on identity and values in order to analyse the position taking by the parties. The research method used in this essay is a qualitative analysis and the material has been coded through an analytical scheme. The results show that the GFA does not have the same importance for Unionists as it has for Nationalists in their presented arguments regarding Northern Ireland in the Brexit debate. However, the result also shows that neither of the parties’ future visions for Northern Ireland includes a continued application of the peace agreement.