The Newshound

Burnham vows to 'deepen' EU ties as Irish Taoiseach becomes first foreign leader to visit No 10 North

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Micheál Martin (left) and Andy Burnham, as Brussels demands Britain accept EU rules and financial contributions before any reduction in border friction.
Micheál Martin (left) and Andy Burnham, as Brussels demands Britain accept EU rules and financial contributions before any reduction in border friction.

Andy Burnham received Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin at his Manchester base in what marked the first visit by a foreign leader to the venue, seizing the moment to push for stronger UK-EU ties and telling Martin the relationship between the two nations "matters so much on every single level." The visit came as Brussels moved to threaten British firms with exclusion from major contracts under proposed "Made in Europe" rules, prompting Chancellor John Healey to warn EU finance ministers not to let deepening relations generate fresh barriers. Burnham pointed to a UK-EU summit anticipated later this year, with Ireland currently occupying the rotating EU Council presidency.

Martin said the two men had no discussion of Irish unity or a border poll, noting that Burnham is not "at that position."

Trump's recent assertion that a united Ireland would be "fantastic" has intensified pressure on both leaders ahead of any formal summit.

The meeting acquired an unintended dimension when newlyweds Kate and Stephen Hall, who had booked No 10 North as their wedding venue, arrived to find armed guards inside — entirely unaware of the high-level talks taking place.

MoreGB NewsNewlyweds who tied the knot at No10 North as Andy Burnham hosted Irish leader at Manchester HQ talk to GB NewsThe SunAndy Burnham vows to 'deepen' Britain's relationship with the EU amid Brexit rowEvening StandardPM meeting an opportunity to inject momentum into partnership – Taoiseach
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