Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill has called for a “different approach” from incoming prime minister Andy Burnham. She stated she will use her first meeting with Burnham to advocate for “fair funding for public services” in the region.
Unionist Leaders Urge Commitment to the Union
DUP leader Gavin Robinson agreed that Burnham needs to “deliver a change of direction”, urging him to show “an unambiguous commitment” to Northern Ireland’s position in the UK. Robinson said: “Northern Ireland needs a Prime Minister who believes in the Union, backs those who work hard, secures our borders, invests in our national defence and governs with conviction rather than chasing the latest political fashion.”
Burnham's Rise to Power
Burnham was officially made the 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 next week, vowing to give people “hope back”. The former mayor of Greater Manchester has been a vocal supporter of more devolved powers to English regions. In his acceptance speech, he said: “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.”
Sinn Féin's Stance
The First Minister and vice-president of Sinn Féin said she wishes the Makerfield MP well on becoming Labour leader and stands “ready to work constructively with him”. She added: “A different approach is needed from the British Government. 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. 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. 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.”
Alliance and UUP Responses
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood said Labour have “failed to live up to the promises they made” and there needs to be “an urgent refocus” under Burnham. “Our case to him will be that he must take real action on the cost of living and cost of doing business crises that are making people here feel poorer despite working harder than ever, deliver a fair funding settlement for Stormont to support our public services, and take seriously his government’s role in future-proofing our political institutions through desperately needed reform,” she said. “Andy Burnham has a chance to bring some hope back to our politics and deliver real solutions for people who feel they’ve been left behind, and we sincerely hope he takes it.”
UUP MP Robin Swann said Burnham’s premiership “is still full of the unknown”, highlighting the questions surrounding his picks for Cabinet. “For us, his choices for the Treasury, the Northern Ireland Office and Defence will have immediate and long-term implications,” Swann said. “Will there be a new financial settlement for the Executive? Will there be Executive reform? Will he be able to hold the Executive together this side of the next Assembly election? And when will we see the next iteration of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bills? Where will these issues sit in an in-tray that already contains US relations, the war in Ukraine, the war in Iran, and whatever else appears in the next 50 days?”
