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Starmer win offers Anglo-Irish relations ‘reset’

Labour is preparing for power after the UK election saw the Tories swept out of office while in Dublin, officials are hoping for improved relations with our neighbour

Britain's outgoing prime minister Rishi Sunak speaks to reporters outside 10 Downing Street after his party's crushing UK election defeat. Mr Sunak is to resign as leader of the Conservatives. Photograph: AFP

Pat Leahy's face
Pat Leahy
Fri Jul 5 2024 - 11:46

Good morning.

A very good morning for some, not so great for others. The immediate, rapid counting of votes and the first-past-the-post electoral system have delivered the UK election results with suddenness and drama.

Labour will form the next UK government with a massive majority; the Tory thumping was every bit as bad as they feared.

Shockwaves from the result have already swept Rishi Sunak from the leadership of the Conservatives after a catastrophic night for his party and to no one’s surprise he has confirmed he will resign as soon as a new leader is found.

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In Northern Ireland, though, another sub-plot played out: disaster for the DUP.

Most arresting was the loss of the North Antrim seat held by Ian Paisley, and by his father the Rev Ian before him – 54 years in the same family. No longer.

The hardline TUV, in the shape of Jim Allister, dislodged the dynasty to take the seat by 450 votes. “There is no escaping the fact that there has been a political earthquake in North Antrim of seismic proportions,” said Allister. “Bigger than seismic,” said the BBC’s Mark Carruthers.

The DUP lost three seats, in the process losing its position as the North’s leading party among Westminster MPs. Here’s Northern Editor Freya McClements’ analysis of the Northern Ireland results.

Sinn Féin has rebounded from its disastrous local and European elections in the Republic and is now the largest party in Northern Ireland when it comes to local government, Stormont and Westminster – though the party, of course, does not take its seats in the British parliament.

That did not stop party leader Mary Lou McDonald – and what a relief the results are for her – from demanding the new Labour government increase central government funding to Northern Ireland. “From day one, we will be knocking on the door of the British government to demand that they stop their disgraceful underfunding of our public services and of the Executive here,” she said in a statement.

Elsewhere the SDLP held its two seats, while the Alliance gained in Lagan Valley (Jeffrey Donaldson’s old seat) but lost in North Down.

Today, as the results are parsed there is no doubt that Sinn Fein will be the happiest; unionism, however, looks more divided than ever.

Best UK election reads and listens

Election results special: New political maps for Britain and Northern Ireland

Listen | 49:37

Playbook

Once formally asked to form a government by King Charles, Keir Starmer will go to Downing St and start appointing his Cabinet. It’s expected – though never certain – that the role of northern secretary will go to Hilary Benn, who has been shadowing this brief in opposition. Benn has been a low-key presence, but has built relationships across the political spectrum.

Later, there is expected to be a phone call between Taoiseach Simon Harris and the new prime minister. Harris has already been out on the steps of Government Buildings congratulating Starmer and talking about a reset of Anglo-Irish relations. The mood in Dublin is one of relief, and optimism.

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