Northern Ireland discussed on PM’s first day in office

Sir Keir and Joe Biden will meet at the NATO Summit in Washington next week.

After Mr Biden congratulated the new Prime Minister yesterday afternoon, a Downing Street spokesman said one of the issues they discussed was Northern Ireland.

“The leaders reflected on their shared commitment to protecting the gains of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement,” they said.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said last night she had raised funds for health and Casement Park with Sir Keir when they spoke last night following Labour’s election victory.

“We discussed the need to reset British-Irish relations and in particular with our local Executive,” she said in a post on X.

“I have been a strong advocate for the need for fair funding for health, education and public services here.

“The cuts our people and public services have suffered under a Conservative government for over a decade must end now.

“I also reiterated the need for the immediate release of funding to build Casement Park, allowing us to seize the huge economic opportunities created by Euro 2028.

“I have called on the Prime Minister to deliver on his commitments to scrap the Tories’ shameful Legacy Act, which has failed victims and survivors.”

Earlier, a prominent group of victims of the conflict celebrated the appointment of Hilary Benn as the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, as they eagerly awaited the repeal of the controversial Legacy Act.

Mr Benn has served as shadow home secretary since 2023 and has previously said a Labour government would repeal the controversial Legacy Act, which sought to end legal cases linked to the Troubles by granting conditional immunity to perpetrators of crimes from the conflict.

It was widely opposed by all the main political parties in Northern Ireland.

The Leeds MP was also vocal in calling for power-sharing institutions to be reinstated during the three-year hiatus.

The Wave Trauma Centre said last night it was “looking forward to Hilary Benn addressing some of the big issues facing victims and survivors, starting with repealing the hated Legacy scam with its zero credibility and extending the deadline for lump sum payments to injured victims.

“A focus on the bereaved is needed now. Many congratulations on your appointment.”

Several of Mr Benn’s Conservative predecessors have already left or been expelled from the House of Commons.

Chris Heaton-Harris and Brandon Lewis did not stand, while Shailesh Vara and Theresa Villiers lost their seats. However, Julian Smith and Karen Bradley were re-elected.

Prominent Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker, who had hinted at a Conservative leadership bid just days ago, also lost his seat.

He said yesterday that being an MP is a “terrible job”.

Speaking on LBC, Mr Baker said: “I fought this campaign to win, I wanted to win, I wanted to go on and do my duty, but Nick, I have to tell you, it’s a terrible job and I thank God I’m free. I won’t be going back.

“I was threatened with hanging, with my throat cut, with acid.”

He added: “Thank God it’s over.”

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach said Sir Keir’s victory offered the chance for “a major reset” in Anglo-Irish relations. The relationship has suffered in recent years in disputes over Brexit and the Legacy Act.

“Today is about looking forward,” Harris said as he addressed reporters at Government Buildings in Dublin.

“It’s about realising the full potential of this relationship between the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister and between our governments. I know Keir Starmer and I share the desire for it to go from strength to strength. It’s time for a great reset.”

Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves has been confirmed as Britain’s first female chancellor, Angela Rayner is deputy prime minister to Sir Keir and has taken responsibility for levelling up, housing and communities, and Yvette Cooper is home secretary.

David Lammy has been appointed Foreign Secretary, ending some speculation about whether he would get the job he had served in opposition.

The first surprise at the Labour leader’s top team meeting was the promotion of Lisa Nandy to Culture Secretary, after the shadow cabinet postholder, Thangam Debbonaire, lost her seat to the Green Party.

Otherwise, the Cabinet mirrors Sir Keir’s shadow team, including Pat McFadden, who played a central role in shaping Labour’s election campaign, being appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, John Healey Defence Secretary, Shabana Mahmood Justice Secretary, Wes Streeting Health Secretary, Bridget Phillipson Education Secretary and Ed Miliband Energy Secretary.

Lucy Powell will be Leader of the House of Commons, while Baroness Smith of Basildon will be Leader of the House of Lords.

In his first speech from Downing Street, Sir Keir said the British people had voted “decisively for change”.

Sir Keir said the country could “move forward together” as Labour took power after 14 years of Conservative rule.

He said: “Now our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and for the return of politics to public service.

“When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows so wide, it leads to weariness in the heart of a nation, to the exhaustion of hope, of spirit, of belief in a better future.

“But we need to move forward together. Now, this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not by words, I know that.

“But we can start today with the simple recognition that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every person in this country with respect.”

He said: “My government will serve you, politics can be a force for good,” adding: “The work of change begins immediately, but make no mistake, we will rebuild Britain.”

After a series of brutal results for the Conservatives, Rishi Sunak announced he would step down as Tory leader and used his final speech in Downing Street to apologise to the British people and the Conservative Party.