Alliance Welcomes Election Of New UK Prime Minister

Alliance Leader Naomi Long has welcomed the election of Sir Keir Starmer as the UK's new Prime Minister as a "new start for relationships across these islands".

The Alliance Leader was speaking after meeting new the Prime at Parliament Buildings. She said it was a positive and constructive meeting.

"We raised a wide number of issues with the Prime Minister in what was a relatively short meeting," she said. "He expressed interest in increasing stability across the UK and we were able to stress the way to do that in Northern Ireland is through political and fiscal reform. The Alliance delegation also took the opportunity to raise with him the need for the impartiality of government in terms of engagement with the local parties and the institutions, which I think he understood.

"A number of other pressing issues were raised, including legacy, de-dramatising the implementation of the Windsor Framework, Spirit Aerosystems, Harland and Wolff, and Casement Park. They were all received positively in terms of his interest.

"I hope this marks a new start for relationships, not only between Belfast and London, but also London and Dublin, as the last few years have left us with somewhat of a toxic legacy. Hopefully that will be reversed under the new Prime Minister."