Andy Burnham has taken over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister of the United Kingdom.
He met the King at Buckingham Palace on Monday, where he was asked to form a government.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that Burnham’s appointment “offers an opportunity to begin a new chapter in relations between Britain and Ireland”.
She continued: “I hope his government approaches that task with the courage and imagination shown by previous Labour governments during the peace process.
Sinn Féin will judge this government by its actions, not its promises. pic.twitter.com/HTDclLtSxK
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 20, 2026
“As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, peace is secure. The future political direction of Ireland, and our relationship with Britain, must continue to be shaped by the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
“That work remains unfinished. Outstanding commitments must now be honoured in full, including provision for a referendum on Irish reunification in accordance with the Agreement.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said that the new prime minister must “reward those who work hard, back businesses, restore economic competitiveness and take decisions that strengthen the United Kingdom.”
“Pragmatism on issues such as North Sea energy production and digital identity would be a welcome departure from Labour’s recent approach, but announcements alone will not be enough.
“The British people will judge this government on results, not rhetoric. Mr Burnham must now demonstrate that he is prepared to take difficult decisions, confront the divisions within his own party and deliver the economic growth, stronger public finances and national confidence that the United Kingdom urgently needs.”
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has emphasised the need for Burnham to support reform of Stormont and to look at the financing of Northern Ireland.
“Andy Burnham is on record, including recently when he was keynote speaker at the Alliance Party Conference, as being a supporter of devolution and political reform. Reform of the institutions here to prevent future collapses of power-sharing is one of the first issues we will be raising with him. It is an approach backed by the majority of parties and I look forward to seeing progress on the issue,” she said.
“It is also vital the new prime minister urgently looks at the financing of Northern Ireland. It is widely accepted we are underfunded compared to Scotland and Wales, and that needs to change. We have recently held talks with the secretary of state on this matter and will be making the point to Andy Burnham. If he is to truly be a prime minister of the whole UK, additional investment is needed across the regions.”
Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows has said Andy Burnham’s premiership must translate into real relief for families in Northern Ireland, warning that the cost of living crisis is being felt just as sharply here as anywhere else in the UK.
He said: “What people want more than anything right now is trust in government and a genuine sense of hope. For too long, government has felt adrift from reality. The Prime Minister talks a good talk, now let’s see delivery.
“Here in Northern Ireland, families are feeling the cost of living just as acutely as anywhere else: energy bills, public sector pay, the cost of running a business or accessing child care, and the price of a weekly shop are all straining household budgets. If the Prime Minister’s talk of delivery is to mean anything, it must be felt in people’s pockets here too, not just in Westminster announcements.
“He speaks of greater devolution for the country, and I look forward to hearing more about that vision. But any devolution must always act in the best interests of the Union.”
