Keir Starmer, the UK leader, has confirmed his acceptance of an invitation extended by Irish Taoiseach, Simon Harris, to travel to Ireland on September 7th. This coincides with the Nations League football match between the Republic of Ireland and England at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. The invitation was mooted at Chequers, the British leader’s official countryside abode in Buckinghamshire, where the duo embarked on revitalising the strained Anglo-Irish political ties, previously tarnished by the preceding conservative regime.
Simon Harris was greeted by the UK premier to the lavish countryside manor, which dates back to the 16th century, for an evening meal on the eve of the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace, set two hours’ distance from London.
In recent Anglo-Irish affairs, the site, nestled within the sweeping Chiltern hills, has previously held a noteworthy yet unfortunate role. It was here that Theresa May unveiled her doomed Chequers Brexit strategy in 2018, which proved instrumental in her eventual resignation as prime minister.
Both parties championed the importance of the meeting, particularly as the Irish Taoiseach is the first global leader to receive an invitation to meet with the British prime minister since the Labour Party’s electoral success a fortnight ago.
Keir Starmer expressed that the encounter was “symbolic of the relations between the two nations” and conveyed his intentions to further “fortify and deepen” the ties between Ireland and Britain.
Simon Harris expressed his delight to be able to offer his “congratulations [on winning the election] in person.” The two leaders shared their thoughts in the Hawtry room of the manor house, followed by a pint of Guinness in the garden and then proceeded to have dinner.
Mr Harris gifted a Donegal GAA football shirt to Mr Starmer on learning that the prime minister frequently flaunts an outdated version during his five-a-side football games. It’s a memento from Mr Starmer’s honeymoon vacation in Donegal, a place that he is notably fond of.
“We deeply appreciate your decision to invite us to Chequers as your inaugural guests,” Mr Harris remarked. “We are eagerly looking forward to rejuvenating the relationship between Britain and Ireland. We have much work ahead of us to solidify this.”
Along with Mr Starmer and Mr Harris, Sue Gray, chief of staff to Mr Starmer and a former pub operator in Co Down’s Newry during the turbulent period, attended the meeting at Chequers.
The relationship between Dublin and London has suffered a substantial amount of stress in recent years.
Issues stemming from the Brexit upheaval and the controversial laws put in place by the Conservative government to address the Troubles’ aftermath have created significant friction.
It was announced in the Royal Announcement on the past Wednesday that revocation of the Legacy Act would be undertaken by the Labour government.
One of the preliminary steps Sir Keir took after becoming a Downing Street resident was to arrange a phone call with the Taoiseach and extend an invitation for a face-to-face gathering.
Ahead of his meeting with the prime minister, Mr Harris had mentioned his anticipation of discussing the ongoing situations in Northern Ireland, Gaza, and Ukraine.