Keir Starmer Dublin visit ‘marks new era of friendship’

Sir Keir Starmer has become the first British prime minister to visit the Republic of Ireland in five years.

Downing Street says Saturday’s visit marks a “new era of co-operation and friendship” between Britain and Ireland.

The prime minister has met Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris, who was elected in April just three months before his British counterpart – both are new to their roles.

Their full day of engagements in the Irish capital will be topped off with the Republic of Ireland v England football game at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Sir Keir and Mr Harris met in Chequers in mid-July after Labour’s general election victory.

They discussed a reset of relations between the two countries and divisions over the UK Legacy Act, and they were photographed having a pint of Guinness.

The taoiseach was the first international leader hosted by Sir Keir after coming to power, a fact said to demonstrate the prime minister’s personal commitment to a strong UK-Ireland relationship.

After the July meeting Sir Keir said it was “time to move on to the next chapter for stronger and deeper ties between both countries”.

The taoiseach said both he and the British prime minister “want to see our teams intensively working on areas of mutual concern and benefit and, being truthful, that hasn’t been happening in the way, manner or frequency which it would have in the past and which it must be in the future”.

Saturday’s visit comes after the prime minister’s visit to Berlin and Paris last week to continue the UK’s reset with its key European partners.

Speaking ahead of it Sir Keir said: “The UK and Ireland share the strongest of ties through our close geography, shared culture and the friendships of our people.

“Our relationship has never reached its full potential, but I want to change that.

“We have a clear opportunity to go further and faster to make sure our partnership is fully delivering on behalf of the British and Irish people – driving growth and prosperity in both our countries.

“The taoiseach and I are in lockstep about our future, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration further.”

The prime minister and the taoiseach will also meet Irish business leaders to encourage enhanced bilateral trade and investment in pursuit of growth.

The last British prime ministerial visit to the Republic of Ireland was by Boris Johnson, in September 2019.

In recent times, under the Conservative government, relations between the UK and Ireland were said to be at their lowest ebb in decades because of differences over Brexit.

Ireland also launched an international legal case against Britain over the Legacy Act which Sir Keir has now promised to repeal.

This visit, with its sporting conclusion, takes political football to a new level.

And as the cliché goes it really is a game of two halves.

Under Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson relations between the two countries reminded some of that famous commentary line “they think it’s all over – it is now”.

Then Sir Keir Starmer walks onto the pitch and it seems to be a whole new ball game.

On both the main issues the two countries have clashed over in recent times the Labour administration coming to power may herald a new beginning.

Certainly the mood music is much better.

In 1995, the England football team played in Dublin, however the “friendly” had to be abandoned after visiting fans rioted.

A much different result is expected 29 years on, whichever side wins the football.