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Keir Starmer hosted Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at 10 Downing Street, making him the first international leader to visit there since becoming prime minister. The two leaders discussed deepening the UK’s relationship with the EU, especially in light of Ireland's current presidency role within it. They also addressed issues such as upholding the Good Friday Agreement and resolving legacy issues from the Troubles, while touching on the Israel-Palestine conflict and US President Donald Trump’s recent comments about a united Ireland.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, hosted Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), at a newly established office called "No 10 North" in Manchester on Friday. This marked the first time an international leader visited this new venue outside London. The meeting focused on reinforcing ties between Ireland and the UK, particularly around issues like the Good Friday Agreement, trade, and cooperation with Europe. Ahead of the visit, Burnham emphasized the significance of "No 10 North" in creating opportunities for working people across both countries.
During their discussions, they also addressed broader geopolitical concerns such as Ukraine, Gaza, and the Middle East. The meeting took place amid tensions following US President Donald Trump's comments during his recent visit to Ireland about favoring a united Ireland. To counter any implications from these remarks, Burnham and Martin reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the Good Friday Agreement, which aims to maintain peace in Northern Ireland.
Moreover, they explored ways to deepen the UK’s relationship with the EU, given that Ireland currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. The leaders also paid a visit to an Irish club in Burnham's constituency, underscoring the strong cultural ties between Britain and Ireland.
Written for “UK Irish Relations Renewal Talks” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 8 other(s) covering the same event.
He said the relationship with Ireland “matters so much on every single level” as the Taoiseach became the first international leader to visit No 10 North.
asserted
Taoiseach → say → North
Mr Martin said he looked forward to the UK having a “stronger and closer” relationship with the EU.
asserted
UK → say → EU
Ireland currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
asserted
Ireland → hold → Union
Mr Burnham said: “The relationship between the UK and Ireland matters so much on every single level.
“Close to home, as co-custodians of the Good Friday Agreement, we are working together to uphold its principles as we approach the 30th anniversary next year.
asserted
we → say → anniversary
“In Europe, we are looking forward to a UK-EU summit later this year and, with Ireland in the presidency, wanting to take further steps to deepen the relationship with Europe.”
asserted
we → look → Europe
, Mr Martin was joining the Prime Minister at an Irish club in his Makerfield constituency.
asserted
Martin → join → constituency
Mr Burnham said: “Here in the North West, but across the UK, so many people have Irish connections and they will be so pleased to see you with us today.
asserted
they → say → us
“I’m really pleased that you’re our first visitor here.”
asserted
you → ’m → ?
Mr Martin said it had been a “very challenging and difficult week” for Mr Burnham following the death of his father Roy and “I think your sense of duty shines through”.
asserted
sense → say → duty
He said that “in a global world marked by a lot of uncertainty” it was important for the two close neighbours to have “very strong engagement”.
asserted
neighbours → say → engagement
The Taoiseach said: “We look forward to discussing with you even stronger and closer relationships between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which will be of benefit to the European Union and indeed to Ireland, quite frankly.”
asserted
which → say → Ireland
Mr Martin thanked Mr Burnham for his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Prime Minister reset the Government’s approach to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and stiffened sanctions over West Bank settlements.
asserted
Minister → thank → settlements
He said: “I think for the United Kingdom under your leadership to take the stance that its taken, I think, is important for… standing up for humanitarian values and justice and fulfilling the rights of all in the Middle East to security, to peace and to some decent future for their children and generations to come.”
asserted
I → say → children
Downing Street said that during the meeting the two leaders “discussed the importance of their joint commitments to addressing the legacy of the Troubles and working towards lasting reconciliation in Northern Ireland”.
asserted
leaders → say → Ireland
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the pair also looked ahead to the UK’s hosting of the next UK-Ireland Summit in the first half of 2027 and “agreed its importance in working together across priorities including security and trade”.
asserted
pair → say → security
The meeting comes just days after US President Donald Trump made headlines by saying he would “love to see” a united Ireland while at a meeting with the Taoiseach during a visit in Dublin.
asserted
he → come → Dublin
Mr Trump said a united Ireland would “happen eventually” and that the Taoiseach was “the right man over here to get it moving”.
asserted
it → say → ?
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