This week, the United Kingdom’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris at his country residence, Chequers. They had previously spoken by phone after the Labour leader’s election victory on 4 July. The theme of the engagement was to discuss the efforts to reset Anglo-Irish relations.
The Taoiseach was the first international leader to visit the UK since Sir Keir Starmer was elected. The haste in which this meeting has taken place was a reflection of the UK’s official state opening of parliament and King Charles’ speech, which took place earlier the same day. Of note to Anglo-Irish relations within the speech, the King highlighted the pledge that the government would uphold in undertaking measures to begin the process of repealing and replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
Both the Taoiseach and Prime Minister have reaffirmed their commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and speaking ahead of travelling to the UK, the Taoiseach reaffirmed that the reset in the relationship would be one that would take time and action and would have to be “more than just a slogan.”
Simon Harris voiced a positive outlook upon the completion of the dinner, outlining that both leaders had agreed to “work together” on what the repeal of the Legacy Act might look like.
When asked if the Irish government would revoke its interstate case that it has taken against the UK, Harris maintained that this meeting was a very early stage in a long process, but that both governments are working “step by step” to a common goal and that the two leaders have agreed to hold a summit every year.
The Taoiseach presented Starmer with a Donegal GAA jersey, and the Prime Minister gifted the Taoiseach a Downing Street whiskey decanter set. During the meeting, the leaders also discussed topical issues in relation to the EU such as the UK’s relationship with the European Union, Ukraine, and Gaza.
Sir Keir Starmer has accepted an invitation to visit Dublin on 7 September with the Taoiseach insisting that a reset of Anglo-Irish relations is “real” and noted that changes to are already ensuing, “It is under way, and it is meaningful.” An example of this was a commitment from Starmer at the engagement relating to closer cooperation with the European Union.
They will meet again on Thursday at the European Political Community Summit in Oxfordshire. On Wednesday, former Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said parts of the relationship between the UK and Ireland had become frayed, and that it is up to the Taoiseach and Prime Minister to create an active engagement for appeals to work.
Whilst this process has been hailed by many as overdue and hopeful and despite the positive attitudes towards the reset of relations, joint sensitivity will be required to address the turbulence to Anglo-Irish relations caused by Brexit and the Conservative government’s controversial laws to deal with the legacy of the Troubles. It will be paramount to build upon the fresh momentum that has emerged from Chequers with the two leaders already looking towards sustaining this on 7 September.
