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PM meets leaders from both sides of the Irish border | |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Sir Keir Starmer posed with the NI leaders, Irish taoiseach (PM) and the Scottish first minister at the Edinburgh summit | |
Sir Keir Starmer is meeting political leaders from both sides of the Irish border in Edinburgh. | |
He is only the third prime minister to attend a meeting of the British-Irish Council in 17 years. | |
It is attended by the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris and Micheál Martin just a week after a general election which has paved the way for another Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition government. | |
Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers, Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly are also there, as will the first ministers of Scotland and Wales. | |
Disputes over Brexit and the Troubles Legacy Act left UK/Irish relations at their lowest ebb for decades during the final days of the Conservative administration. | Disputes over Brexit and the Troubles Legacy Act left UK/Irish relations at their lowest ebb for decades during the final days of the Conservative administration. |
But the return of a Labour government has led to a much-vaunted reset. | But the return of a Labour government has led to a much-vaunted reset. |
Just this week, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, began the repeal of the Legacy Act, which the Irish government is challenging in the courts. | Just this week, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, began the repeal of the Legacy Act, which the Irish government is challenging in the courts. |
This is the 42nd summit of the BIC, one of the bodies which emerged from the Good Friday Agreement. | This is the 42nd summit of the BIC, one of the bodies which emerged from the Good Friday Agreement. |
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, is also expected to attend. | The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, is also expected to attend. |
Discussions are expected to focus on delivering a just transition and clean energy. | Discussions are expected to focus on delivering a just transition and clean energy. |
Downing Street says the prime minister is focused on delivering what matters to people right across the UK and working closely with the devolved institutions, including Stormont. | |
Sir Keir Starmer will meet political leaders from both sides of the Irish border | |
Analysis: 'Envy of a parliamentary majority' | Analysis: 'Envy of a parliamentary majority' |
Sir Keir Starmer has met Micheál Martin and Simon Harris before. | Sir Keir Starmer has met Micheál Martin and Simon Harris before. |
But the timing of this meeting is interesting, coming just a week after the Irish general election. | But the timing of this meeting is interesting, coming just a week after the Irish general election. |
Oh, how enviously the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leaders must view his parliamentary majority, which currently stands at 156. | Oh, how enviously the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leaders must view his parliamentary majority, which currently stands at 156. |
They are currently two short of one, and Martin says it will be after Christmas before a coalition government is formed. | They are currently two short of one, and Martin says it will be after Christmas before a coalition government is formed. |
Often past meetings of the British-Irish Council have been overshadowed by stalemate at Stormont. | Often past meetings of the British-Irish Council have been overshadowed by stalemate at Stormont. |
Not this time. | Not this time. |
The First and Deputy First Ministers, Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly have now been in place longer than their Scottish and Welsh counterparts, after upheaval in Edinburgh and Cardiff, while Sir Keir only got his hands on power in July. | The First and Deputy First Ministers, Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly have now been in place longer than their Scottish and Welsh counterparts, after upheaval in Edinburgh and Cardiff, while Sir Keir only got his hands on power in July. |
When the leaders hold a joint news conference around lunchtime, expect questions on the legacy of the Troubles, the Protocol, and next week's big vote at Stormont, and, of course, trying to form a government in Dublin before we all forget what happened at the polls. | When the leaders hold a joint news conference around lunchtime, expect questions on the legacy of the Troubles, the Protocol, and next week's big vote at Stormont, and, of course, trying to form a government in Dublin before we all forget what happened at the polls. |