Northern Ireland’s party leaders have given the new First Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, a warm welcome to Stormont.
“Constructive,” “productive” and “positive” were some of the words they used to describe the first meeting with a Labour prime minister in 14 years.
Sir Keir met with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, as well as representatives of the Executive and Opposition, at Stormont as part of his first official visit to Northern Ireland since becoming Prime Minister.
He was accompanied by Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and his chief of staff, Sue Gray, a former senior Stormont official.
- author, Jane McCormack and Mark Simpson
- role, BBC News NI
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Starmer calls for ‘constructive’ and ‘positive’ debate in Stormont
Speaking later, Sir Keir stressed the need for a “reset” in the relationship between government and the executive.
“Being here on the third day of a new Labour government is a clear statement of how important Northern Ireland is to me and my government, and how we are going to rebuild that relationship and move forward with respect and cooperation,” the prime minister told reporters.
The new prime minister distanced himself from the “instability” of the previous Conservative government.
“My government has a mandate for change and stability in Northern Ireland and a different way of doing business,” he said.
“Like the difference between day and night.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the party’s meetings with the new Prime Minister had been “constructive and very friendly”.
She said dealing with the new Labour government was like the difference between “night and day” compared with the previous Conservative government.
One of the issues discussed at the short meeting was funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park stadium in west Belfast.
“We hope to see progress on this issue in the near future,” MacDonald said.
Also attending the meeting were First Minister Michelle O’Neill, MP John Finucane and MP Pat Cullen.
The meeting also discussed funding for public services in Northern Ireland, the legacy of the Northern Ireland conflict and the situation in Gaza.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said his party believed it could have a good relationship with the new Prime Minister.
He described the meeting as “very productive” and stressed the importance of delegating authority.
After meeting Sir Keir at Stormont, Mr Robinson described him as a “unionist” and someone with a detailed understanding of Northern Ireland.
Asked if he trusted the new prime minister, he said he liked him.
Mr Robinson was joined at the meeting by Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan and MP Sammy Wilson.
Alliance leader Naomi Long also said she had had “constructive and positive meetings” with both Sir Keir and Benn.
She said the Prime Minister was keen to increase stability across the UK and had been told that “fiscal and political reform” was fundamental in Northern Ireland for that to work.
Long also said he felt positive about the rebuilding of East-West relations.
“I hope this marks a new beginning not just in relations between Belfast and London but also between London and Dublin,” she said.
“I certainly think the previous government left us with a very damaging legacy, but hopefully that will be reversed under the current prime minister.”
“A New Dawn”
UUP leader Doug Beattie said he had appealed to the Prime Minister about the need for increased funding for public services, particularly the health service.
Mr Beattie, who was joined by Health Secretary Mike Nesbitt and former Health Secretary and newly elected South Antrim MP Robin Swann, said the meeting was “very positive” and could be used to build relationships.
Colum Eastwood, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), said there was a “universal sigh of relief” at the end of the Conservative government.
She added that Sir Keir was an “understanding” man and they had had good discussions, but the Prime Minister recognised the party would hold him to account on key issues such as Casement Park and the Legacy Bill.
“This seems like a new dawn,” he said.
Analysis: Enda McClafferty, Political Editor
On a day when “reset” became a buzzword, Chancellor Keir Starmer appeared to reset his position on a poll on the border.
He told the BBC in 2021 that he would campaign for Northern Ireland to remain in the UK, but has now changed his mind.
Instead, he said the government would play the role of “honest broker” in any constitutional disputes.
He said this was in line with the Good Friday Agreement, which provided for the people of the island of Ireland to decide their own destiny.
Negotiations are a difficult minefield for a Labour prime minister but Keir Starmer knows how Northern Ireland works.
It was a careful and planned reset on his first day in Northern Ireland as First Minister.
But DUP leader Gavin Robinson insisted the First Minister was a unionist through and through.
Casement Park ‘must be built’
The new Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Hilary Benn, arrived in Northern Ireland on Saturday and met with most of the main political parties.
Labour has been urged by political parties and sports organisations to commit funds so the stadium can be redeveloped in time for Euro 2028.
Delays and rising construction costs have suggested the stadium could cost more than £300 million to build, far off the original estimate of £76 million.
Gaelic ground Casement Park has not hosted a match since 2013 but if redeveloped in time it will become Northern Ireland’s only venue for the tournament.
Benn said he would not say under pressure that Casement Park would be built by Euro 2028, but “as soon as we are in a position to make a decision we will do so”.
