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"Unionists were sold a big fat lie" - Economist Michael Burke at EU Parliament conference

2,580 views · Published 11 December 2013 · 5:16 · Indexed 12 November 2026

Channel: Sinn Féin · 2013 · News & Politics

Economist Michael Burke described how the growth of the economy of the South of Ireland since independence and the massive increase in living standards, long eclipsing that of the North, was down to the ability of the South to decide its own fate in economic matters while the North relied on exports to Britain.

"Unionists were told 'If you stay with the British Empire you'll be better off.' But from the facts we can see that they were sold a big fat lie," he said.

"They're worse off, the whole community of the North is, and that's a pattern you see in relation to colonial possessions right across the globe.

"Speaking from a purely economic perspective, I would say that if people want to change their living standards for the better, the best way of doing that would be to get rid of the Border and reunify the country."

Read full report on the conference: http://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/23582

"Unionists were sold a big fat lie" - Economist Michael Burke at EU Parliament conference

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