Prime Minister Andy Burnham is hosting Micheál Martin, the Irish taoiseach (prime minister), at No 10 North in Manchester this morning, marking the first time Burnham has used the northern office to receive an overseas leader. The visit comes as the UK attempts to secure exemptions from the European Union's "Made in Europe" rules, with Chancellor John Healey simultaneously attending an informal meeting of EU finance ministers in Dublin to press the case for a trade-friendly implementation.
Burnham and Martin have established a working relationship from the prime minister's previous tenure as mayor of Greater Manchester, during which he met Martin on several occasions. The mood is expected to be cordial, given Burnham's Liverpool roots and Irish ancestry. No 10 has framed the visit as part of a broader strategy to demonstrate that the Manchester office functions as a genuine government power base rather than a satellite operation, following recent visits by Burnham to meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Liverpool and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Oxford, as well as his earlier meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Portsmouth.
The formal agenda will focus on shared priorities including trade expansion, support for Ukraine, and cooperation with the European Union as Ireland holds the EU presidency. After the official discussions, both leaders will visit an Irish community centre in Manchester.
What is the UK seeking from the EU?
The UK is attempting to negotiate exemptions or modifications to the EU's "Made in Europe" rules, which the government views as potentially creating trade barriers. According to Treasury sources, Healey will urge the EU to implement these regulations in a way that "lands a good deal for all" rather than "erecting new barriers" to British business. The chancellor's presence at the Dublin finance ministers' meeting underscores the importance the government places on this negotiation.
What is the broader context for UK-Ireland relations?
The two governments have been developing closer ties through the UK-Ireland 2030 programme, a strategic cooperation framework launched at the first summit in Liverpool. At a March 2026 summit in Cork, both governments committed to advancing this agenda through 2030, covering trade, energy, maritime security, emergency planning and cultural connections. According to the Irish government, this represents a "welcome renewal" of the relationship with practical cooperation on infrastructure, sub-sea infrastructure and emergency planning.
The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference met in April 2026 to discuss energy security, offshore wind cooperation and the North-South electricity interconnector, with plans to reconvene later in 2026. Martin has previously noted that Burnham took a particular interest in Ireland and focused on economic development during their earlier meetings.
What additional issues may be discussed?
Beyond the formal agenda, Martin indicated he would use the meeting to press Burnham on removing a veto mechanism that allows Northern Irish parties to block the Assembly or Executive from functioning. The talks are also expected to cover the Northern Ireland Assembly, legacy issues and the Good Friday Agreement. Martin said the discussions would be informed by Ireland's current EU Council presidency and the planned EU-UK Summit.
What is Tom Watson's new role?
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has taken a position with Palantir, the controversial US artificial intelligence company. In a statement, Watson said he was
terrifically excited to be joining the young Palantir team who make the tools that public service workers need to transform how they serve the British people. He highlighted potential applications including reducing hospital waiting times, supporting military personnel and enabling police to investigate crime and root out corruption.
Watson, who has been on leave from Parliament since March, stated that this arrangement will continue during his employment with Palantir. According to the company, he has surrendered his parliamentary pass and the access privileges normally retained by members on leave.
What is the political reaction to Watson's appointment?
The Green Party has condemned the appointment as emblematic of problematic relationships between politics and business. Siân Berry, the Green MP, issued a statement arguing that
Palantir, with its work for ICE in the US and the IDF, has no business at all in our NHS and public services. Tom Watson has been employed to lobby his friends in the Labour government. This is yet another example of the corrosive revolving door between politics and big business lobbying that has no place in public life.
What happens next?
The UK-Ireland 2030 programme is scheduled for further review and implementation at the next UK-Ireland Summit, which the Irish government said would take place in 2026. The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is also set to meet again later in 2026 to continue discussions on energy cooperation and other bilateral matters.
