Taoiseach Simon Harris has expressed his concern that if the opportunity is missed and Anglo-Irish relations aren’t reset following Labour’s overwhelming UK general election win, the forthcoming generation will not pardon us. Harris conceded that the UK and Ireland have had apparent disagreements, challenges and difficulties especially after Brexit, but he has shown an eagerness to collaborate with the new Prime Minister Keir Starmer to mend relationships.
Shortly after Starmer has taken the office of Prime Minister, he and Taoiseach held a telephone conversation and Starmer extended an invitation to him to visit Downing Street on the 17th of July. As Harris commented on Sky News, the relationship between Britain and Ireland is highly resilient and both countries share lots of mutual concerns.
Mr Harris, the leader of the Fine Gael party, later added, “We have much to share that overrules what sets us apart. The kinship between our countries is strong and it’s time to capitalise on that. The next generation won’t look kindly on us if we don’t.”
The Taoiseach emphasised the need for both nations to work collectively to realise the potential of the Good Friday Agreement, a principle he affirms is deeply ingrained in the ethos of the British Labour Party.
In response to Harris, the Prime Minister shared a post in X saying, “An Anglo-Irish alliance can bring vast opportunities to both our nations. I am looking forward to a close collaboration with you.”
The Taoiseach informed that a high-priority agenda for his future meeting with Prime Minister Starmer later this month would be to discuss strategies to enhance the framework for engagement between the two nations post-Breitbart.
The Taoiseach validated that it is unnecessary to explain the difficulties in the relationship between the two nations over recent years, stating, “Brexit undeniably posed challenges and difficulties in the relationship between the two nations and in essence altered it in various ways, given that we will no longer be two nations within the European Union.”
“We’ve recently witnessed a circumstance where the institutions in Northern Ireland had been non-operational, creating a void. Fortunately, the issue has now been resolved. We find ourselves in a unique position with the recent introduction of a new British prime minister and a new Irish Taoiseach. This situation provides me and the prime minister with a prime opportunity to rejuvenate Anglo-Irish relations using strong leadership, since the bond between our nations and as neighbours is of utmost importance to the citizens of both our islands,” observed Mr Harris.
He highlighted the “evident policy disparities, issues, and challenges” over the past few years, but mentioned that he had a “highly efficient professional relationship” with the predecessor of Mr Starmer, Rishi Sunak.
Mr Harris confirmed that in any dialogue regarding enhancement of its affiliation with the EU, Ireland would stand as an ally of the UK.
Addressing the Brexit, he said: “The decision has been finalised, and there’s no intent from any British government to reconsider that decision in any shape or form. However, in terms of maintaining friendly relationships between the UK and the EU, it remains crucial. It’s entirely in the interest of Ireland to enable this in any way possible in the European arena.” -PA