Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill has called for a "different approach" from incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham, ahead of his assumption of office next week. O'Neill stated she will use her first meeting with Burnham to advocate for "fair funding for public services" in the region.
Burnham's rise to Labour leadership
Andy Burnham was officially named Labour Party leader at a special conference at the Trades Union Congress headquarters in central London on Friday. He will replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister, vowing to give people "hope back." Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, has been a vocal supporter of devolving more powers to English regions.
In his acceptance speech, Burnham declared: "We will take power back from Westminster and Whitehall, and give it to the place where you live – more power over life's essentials, so you can make them work better and more affordable for people."
O'Neill's call for change
O'Neill, who also serves as vice-president of Sinn Féin, wished Burnham well on becoming Labour leader and said she stands "ready to work constructively with him." However, she stressed the need for a shift in policy from the British government.
"A different approach is needed from the British Government," O'Neill said. "Successive British governments have implemented policies that have been catastrophic for ordinary people. They have cut vital public services, deepened inequalities, and left families struggling through a cost-of-living crisis while a small elite continues to accumulate enormous wealth."
Demands for fair funding and future vision
O'Neill outlined her agenda for the upcoming meeting: "I look forward to meeting with Andy Burnham when he takes up the role as British prime minister. I will make the case for fair funding for public services, action on the cost-of-living crisis, and full respect for our democratic right to determine our own future here on the island of Ireland."
She concluded by linking her demands to a broader constitutional vision: "The interests of all the people of Ireland will be best served when we have full control of our own affairs in a new and united Ireland."
