UK election raises hopes of a reset in Anglo-Irish relations
Rarely in British politics has a dice been rolled more desperately than the one thrown down by Rishi Sunak. The UK prime minister is betting all on hope triumphing over experience as his Conservatives go into the race on 23pc, matching the nadir of Liz Truss’s brief premiership in 2022, according to a Financial Times tracker poll.
Playwright Tom Stoppard once wrote: “Life is a gamble, at terrible odds – if it was a bet, you wouldn’t take it.” Perhaps, having come to a similar fatalistic conclusion that there is little left to lose, Mr Sunak has decided to go for broke.
Judging by the number of Tory MPs hugging each other in the Commons in the belief they were unlikely to be seeing each other again under that roof, not too many were buying into Mr Sunak’s chances.
After 14 years in office, few are holding out any real expectations that he can secure a fifth term for his party. As the storm clouds – literally and metaphorically –gathered over the head of the prime minister, his opponent, Labour leader Keir Starmer, was looking forward to far brighter prospects. Adopting an almost presidential demeanour, he addressed the British people, urging them to embrace change.
On this side of the Irish Sea, hopes of a less fraught and more co-operative relationship with our nearest neighbour will rise with an expected reset in Anglo-Irish relations.
The eight years since Brexit have seen an erosion of trust and unravelling of firm ties.
The Rwanda policy, and the schadenfreude from the Tory benches that greeted the claim that 80pc of migrants coming here were entering across the Border, saw already frosty relations get even colder. Mr Starmer has pledged to work with other countries in tackling uncontrolled migration.
Taoiseach Simon Harris declared: “This country will not in any way, shape or form provide a loophole for anybody else’s migration challenges.”
British home secretary James Cleverly even cancelled a meeting with Justice Minister Helen McEntee in London over the issue, and Ms McEntee responded in kind by cancelling her trip entirely.
The introduction of the UK’s Legacy Bill, which is opposed by all parties in the North, has also been a source of contention. Mr Starmer has given a commitment that should his party form the next government, he would repeal the bill.
As SDLP leader Colum Eastwood put it: “Keir Starmer understands the burden and the weight of cross-generational trauma that has been caused by the failure to adequately address the legacy of our past.”
Irrespective of who occupies 10 Downing Street, co-operation is vital between Britain and Ireland, given our shared interests and common challenges in so many areas.
As Edmund Burke commented: “England and Ireland may flourish together. The world is large enough for both of us. Let it be our care not to make ourselves too little for it.”