New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been pressed for early engagement on Northern Ireland.
There was a mixed reception from the region as the former Greater Manchester mayor took up the reins in 10 Downing Street, with Sinn Féin MP John Finucane urging for preparation work for united Ireland while SDLP leader Claire Hanna said the party want to see reform at Stormont, and UUP leader Jon Burrows called for “real relief for families” amid the cost of living.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson questioned what Mr Burnham “stands” for as he takes office, and said he would like to see early engagement to tackle the problems Northern Ireland is facing.
He was speaking as Stormont remains without an agreed budget for the current financial year, with parties arguing they cannot agree it until more funding is provided from the Treasury.
Mr Robinson told media in Belfast on Monday: “A Prime Minister is always welcome in Northern Ireland, I think it would be good to have early engagement with some of the challenges that we face, not just around budgets and financial stability, but also political stability, the interaction between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
“We know this Prime Minister has an interest in devolution, but he thinks about that through the prism of devolution within England, and there are clearly opportunities but challenges associated with our devolved settlement and discussions will need to be had in that regard.
“The last number of weeks and months have been trying from a political perspective in Northern Ireland, there have been impacts on relationships, trust and confidence.
“I think it is important that the Prime Minister understands that all of us strive for political stability in Northern Ireland but it doesn’t happen by accident, and I think it’s important that he gets an early indication of the need for tender attention to the political situation in Northern Ireland.”
In terms of the role of Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Robinson praised current office holder Hilary Benn for putting “a lot of his time and effort” into tackling the legacy of the region’s troubled past.
“Although I have difficulties with his position on legacy, I recognise him to be an honourable man, and someone who has served Northern Ireland over the last two years,” he said.
“Whether he continues to do so, or serve in another capacity, I have no idea.”
The DUP leader added: “I don’t know what Manchesterism really means for the United Kingdom, and I don’t know what Burnhamism is either, so we will see.”
In a statement on the social media platform X, Mr Finucane said Mr Burnham “must respect the right of the people of Ireland to determine our own future”.
“A positive and healthy debate about a new and united Ireland is already under way in all four corners of this island,” he said.
“It is only sensible and responsible that both governments work together and begin preparations in advance of a referendum.”
Ms Hanna congratulated Mr Burnham, but said he faces major challenges.
“It will be a short honeymoon,” she said, adding that people “want change that isn’t coming as fast as it might do”.
“People’s cynicism has grown about what politics can and will do, so Andy Burnham does need to make some tangible changes.
“He is dealing with the same imbalanced UK economy, he is dealing with the same existential challenge that the UK is having about who is it and where it fits in the world, he is dealing with increased political polarisation in Britain.
“As regards this region, the fact is our budget process is so chaotic, there is so little responsibility taking by Executive parties, in years when we are well funded, it’s in short term trenches or money, a collapse here, a crisis there, a side deal, rather than a degree of clarity for public services and what they can do.
“We will want the UK government to take a more strategic approach, but that will also include the Executive parties accepting that they sought and won power at the ballot box, and that also means running the place.”
Mr Burrows called for trust in government to be restored and hope.
“For too long, government has felt adrift from reality. The Prime Minister talks a good talk, now let’s see delivery,” he said.
“Here in Northern Ireland, families are feeling the cost of living just as acutely as anywhere else: energy bills, public sector pay, the cost of running a business or accessing child care, and the price of a weekly shop are all straining household budgets.
“If the Prime Minister’s talk of delivery is to mean anything, it must be felt in people’s pockets here too, not just in Westminster announcements.”
