Political leaders have recently advocated for the upcoming British Prime Minister to actively partake in the biannual sessions of the British-Irish Council (BIC), a common practice overlooked by previous inhabitants of No 10 Downing Street over the past quarter of a century. This suggestion was put forward by representatives from various parts of the UK and Ireland – Dublin, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and the Crown dependencies of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, at a council assembly on the Isle of Man.
Previous opportunities for UK and Irish leaders to converse, both formally and casually during European Council assemblies, have seen a significant decrease following the UK’s exit from the EU. Notably last week, the speaker recounted having spent significant time among other EU leaders during a meeting in Brussels, a contact frequency with London that Ireland now seldom experiences.
Former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Rishi Sunak showcased their participation at the BIC meetings in Belfast in 2007 and in Blackpool in November 2022, respectively. However, the absence of the majority of No 10 occupants at the BIC meetings has been a constant source of vexation for the UK’s devolved governments and particularly, the Crown dependencies, even though Dublin has not publicly remarked on this point.
The current Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, a regular participant at these staff meetings but who is not seeking re-election in the Commons, has also voiced his support for the future Prime Minister’s involvement in the council’s assemblies.
Mr Heaton-Harris expressed his valuation for the BIC meetings and frequently advised that it would be beneficial for the prime minister to partake in the event whenever feasible. He admitted that the current British representation at the meeting was smaller than normal, mostly due to the fact that the UK is currently in an electoral phase, and also his frequent companion, Conservative Party member Michael Gove, couldn’t attend.
Emma Little-Pengelly, Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister from the Democratic Unionist Party, insisted that it is crucial for the future prime minister to be involved in these meetings. She emphasized the significant role these meetings play in cultivating relationships, particularly with the prime minister, despite attendees having high-demanding jobs. These meetings, she believes, offer a unique opportunity for direct conversations.
Despite being incapable of attending due to health reasons, Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, was connected via a virtual conference call.
John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, lent his full support to the idea of the British Prime Minister’s involvement in the meetings, highlighting the increasing isolation since the UK’s departure from the European Union.
The BIC meeting touched on the development of renewable energy, the associated complexities, and the essential task of getting local communities to support such initiatives. The BIC, established by the Belfast Agreement, connects leaders from Dublin, London, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.