As we mark the 155th birthday of Lenin — just dropping a quick line to say am in final stretch with this work 🤞 Very grateful for @iskrabooks’ patience 🙏 As Lenin said himself, “It is more pleasant & useful to go through the ‘experience of revolution’ than to write about it.”

As I wrote back in April for @LabourOutlook, “… nobody should be blindly beholden to the beliefs of their parents. Nonetheless, Tony’s writings on Ireland would benefit any holder of the office that his son now occupies.” 🔗 labouroutlook.org/2025/04/03…

The DUP has confirmed that it will not send a representative to the Irish presidential inauguration. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yl…

Tony Benn calling for a United Ireland 1980 his son Hilary Benn opposed to a United Ireland 2025

On this 'Remembrance Sunday' I was amongst a large group of Republicans gathered to remember the Edentubber Martyrs, five brave IRA Volunteers who died on active service 68 years ago today. We take no lectures from anyone, and we make no apology for remembering our patriot dead.

“Leading figures from civic, political, business & religious life have publicly expressed considered views on Irish Unity. Their contributions demonstrate the very significant public engagement on the issue. Something I am astonished you seem to have missed.” @MaryLouMcDonald

The people of Ireland & the Basque Country share a deep & enduring friendship, built over many years of solidarity. Our nations have long striven for the right to self-determination, to be free & independent. I was honoured to speak in Pamplona at an event organised by the Navarre Network of Torture Victims, which supports those who cruelly suffered at the hands of the state. The courage & determination of victims, at home & abroad, to establish truth & justice continues to be a source of inspiration for us all.

From my first day in office, I made a commitment to be a First Minister for all and I am fully committed to delivering on that promise. Today, I will attend an event at Belfast City Hall to remember all those who lost their lives during the First World War and in subsequent conflicts. As First Minister, it is my responsibility to acknowledge and show respect for all traditions and perspectives in our society. I also bring my own lived experience, political perspective, and aspirations for Irish unity, as a proud Irish Republican. And while we may not agree on everything, we must find common ground in respecting each other’s traditions and perspectives. Our people have travelled a long road to peace. But peace is not a single moment in time, it is a journey. I will continue moving forward, taking the necessary steps even when difficult, because it is the right thing to do for our people and communities. Politics must give hope to the next generation, ensuring our children and grandchildren grow up in a much better world than we did. We are living in a time of enormous change on our island, and that requires positive leadership, and I will not shy away from that responsibility.

The contrast with the inclusive & outward looking leadership offered by Michelle O’Neill could not be greater. Unionism’s unwillingness to outreach in any substantive manner with nationalists sharing this place remains the greatest threat to enduring stable relations.

Peace is not a moment in time, it is something we must continuously nurture together. As a First Minister for all, I made a day-one commitment to represent every community and to strengthen our peace. I strive every day to deliver on that promise. I was honoured to speak recently to hundreds of young people in Derry at the launch of a new peace monument.

The story of Kim Philby’s pet fox 🦊🥺

Hundreds Gather for Irish Unity People’s Assemblies in the Northeast with @Farrell_Mairead Activists young and old jumped at the chance to discuss the actors and the work involved in creating a new and united Ireland and to make plans for next steps. friendsofsinnfein.com/people…

Anyway, enough of non-stop yank politics. This is what’s in my blood. 💚

Go home… to Birmingham?

First Minister Peter Robinson & deputy FM Martin McGuinness attended Michael D Higgins’ inauguration in 2011. Stormont wasn’t sitting in 2004 & 2018. The Executive Office has still not responded to a question from @bbctheview on whether the DFM will attend on Tuesday.

🇮🇪A century on from the Boundary Commission Ireland has changed beyond recognition. The conversation about Irish unity is now open, confident and growing. Referendums on Irish unity are within our grasp and can happen by the end of this decade. The Irish government need to start planning now.

And I’m quite sure the status of Charles as Colonel in Chief of the Paras made Michelle O’Neill’s step difficult. Yet she took it to send a message to ordinary unionists across the north & to encourage mutual respect. Unionism’s refusal to reciprocate shouldn’t be normalised.

Oiche mhaith. Xoxozzz

incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty

President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina today welcomed members of the family of The O’Rahilly to Áras an Uachtaráin to mark the restoration by Corrie Masson of his portrait, which was donated to The Hyde Collection by his son Richard ‘Mac’ O’Rahilly in the 1940s

‘I think the British record in Ireland is a hideous record' - Benn. (Tony, not Hilary) rte.ie/archives/2019/1122/10…