British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced that he will resign following building pressure inside the Labour party for him to go.
He becomes the sixth British PM to announce their resignation since the Brexit referendum on 23 June 2016, ten years ago tomorrow.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, was quick to pay tribute to Starmer.
“It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years. You became in just two years.
European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you,” she wrote on social media.
For now, Starmer remains British Prime Minister.
If there is a contest for his replacement, that will take until September. However if former Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is the only candidate, he could become PM by mid-July.
The only other person who has shown an interest in running for the premiership was former Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, but he has now ruled himself out.
An EU-UK summit has been scheduled for 22 July.
It will be an important moment for Ireland because the UK is due to sign a veterinary agreement (so-called, Sanitary and Phytosanitary SPS deal) with the European Union which would do away for the need for checks on British agri goods entering the European Union.
That would simplify things for the Irish ‘sea’ border, despite the Windsor Framework.
In return the UK will have to align with EU animal health rules.
Andy Burnham, once a stronger support for remaining in the European Union, has tried to downplay Brexit issues, but as Prime Minister, he would be unlikely to backtrack on deals that are thought more or less ready to sign.
In his first statement since Starmer’s resignation speech, Andy Burnham wrote on social media:
“People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.”
Responding to Keir Starmer’s resignation, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“I wish to convey my best wishes to Prime Minister Keir Starmer following this morning’s announcement of his resignation.
I want to acknowledge the significant role Keir played in resetting the Irish-British relationship as well as relations between the UK and the European Union during his time as Prime Minister.
Since Keir took office two years ago, he has worked with us to set a new direction and depth in the relationship between Ireland and the UK, for the benefit of all our citizens, north-south and east-west.
Our two Governments also took an important step forward in dealing with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland publishing a Joint Framework on addressing the legacy of the Troubles.
Keir is a person of great ability, decency and honour and I want to wish him, his wife Victoria and their family, very well in their next chapter.
I have no doubt that his successor as Prime Minister will wish to continue to deepen and strengthen the relationship between the UK and Ireland, and we will continue to work in furtherance of that objective.”