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Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments at the Plenary Session at the First UK-Ireland Summit

The remarks made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 6 March 2025.

It’s fantastic to see you all here this morning.

Today’s summit really marks a new era in the relationship between the UK and Ireland.

I think we’ve reset our relationship, turned a page on turbulent recent years and I think today’s announcements show that we’re serious about making our partnership meaningful, deep and beneficial for working people.

Today we’ve announced over £185 million worth of new investment into the UK and an agreement to harness the full potential of the Irish and Celtic Seas, from bolstering the security of undersea cables to mobilising private investment.

In a moment, we’re obviously going to talk about what more we can do, this is a fantastic opportunity.

But before that, I’d like to make some quick points.

First, the need for a strong and settled relationship between the UK and Ireland has never been greater.

The world has changed dramatically since the UK and Ireland last set out a vision for closer bilateral relations back in 2012.

A lot has happened in the intervening years, and as we sit here today, I think we can all agree that our world is more unstable and uncertain than it’s been for a very long time.

And there are huge benefits to strengthening our friendships and working together on geopolitical challenges.

To strengthen all aspects of our security in a dangerous world.

That’s why in the UK last week, I announced the biggest sustained rise in defence spending since the Cold War.

An extra £13.4 billion year on year which will be invested in British industries, British jobs, British skills and British growth.

Because we aren’t just investing in Britain’s national security but in economic security for working people as well.

We were discussing this morning the interrelationship between security and defence, and economic security.

Second, you will know the UK has been working to strengthen our alliance with the EU.

As you know, that doesn’t mean rejoining the Single Market or the Customs Union or returning to freedom of movement.

But it does mean finding practical ways to work more closely together to boost trade, create jobs and deliver economic growth.

And in that context, I believe the partnership between the UK and Ireland has the potential to be a really positive force.

Third, as close neighbours and long-standing partners the benefits of stronger ties between us are huge.

We have strong people to people connections – they are incredible and should be celebrated.

Our supply chains are deep and intertwined, and have been for a very long time.

And we collaborate in a great many sectors, for example, we have two MOUs on Energy Transition and Energy Supply.

All of this points to the importance of an all-island economy.

And the huge potential to do more – working together for our mutual prosperity and security.

So I’m delighted this Summit will kickstart an ambitious programme of cooperation through to 2030.

There is a huge amount on our agenda, this is really ambitious.

It should be seen as new era where the UK and Ireland work closer than ever and cooperate across a wide range of issues.

That means making the most of opportunities to boost growth, jobs and trade.

But also working together on climate change, the energy transition, security, justice, education and defence.

We just had a business breakfast this morning and all of these issues came up, particularly the energy transition.

And through our partnership we will act as a positive example, demonstrating the benefits of cooperation and collaboration.

Today’s discussions are just the start.

We’ve got really good teams on both sides, we’ve got the time, the subject matter and the ambition.

But I want to focus on three themes as we go through this session.

The first is: how can the UK and Ireland work together to achieve sustainable growth?

Second, how can the UK and Ireland work together to build domestic security and promote stability? That was always on the agenda, but now it’s even more pertinent than ever.

Finally, how can the UK and Ireland collaborate to maximise shared opportunities in the transition to Net Zero?

They are the three themes, and areas of discussion this morning.

March 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : The UK supports Ukraine in its aim to ensure Russia cannot attack it again – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 March 2025.

Ambassador Holland dismisses Russian disinformation and underlines the UK’s support to Ukraine in its aim to ensure Russia cannot attack it again.

Thank you, Mister Chair. It will not surprise you or anyone else here to hear from me today a restatement of UK commitment to Ukraine. There has been a lot of nonsense spoken in this room about the UK’s position over recent weeks. The actions taken by the UK Prime Minister over the last week, including at the London Summit, make very clear how wrong any suggestion that the UK wants to prolong the war in Ukraine actually is.

But the UK believes that the legal and political commitments that we signed up to after the Second World War mean something. These commitments, including the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris, form a framework for our stability. They clearly state how we should expect countries to behave towards each other and to our citizens. Fundamentals such as sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right to choose alliances are not negotiable – or suspendible when inconvenient. For 80 years, when we have lived up to them, they have kept us all safe from unintended conflict in Europe, even during the Cold War.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is therefore not just an unacceptable act of aggression, wrong in absolute terms and brutal and indiscriminate in the way it has been conducted. Although that is all true. It is also a dangerous repudiation of the framework of principles and commitments that keep us safe. And to allow such aggression to be rewarded is a terrible example to set. It would encourage more of the same behaviour, in this part of the world and elsewhere.

We have heard a lot about what the Russian state wants over the last few weeks. But for peace, when it comes, to be lasting, Ukraine needs to be confident that the Russian aggression cannot happen again. The UK does not like war. We do not like our friends being at war. We do not seek to prolong war. But we do support Ukraine in its aim to ensure Russia cannot attack it again and will continue to support Ukraine until it believes the peace on offer is one which guarantees its security in a sustainable way. That means they must be able to negotiate from a position of strength. This has always been the UK’s position, before and during this unnecessary war. Ukraine is a sovereign country that can decide its own future without interference from other countries.

Mister Chair, as ever Russia is producing a blizzard of disinformation to distract us from the facts. The facts are that Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation, that tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides have died unnecessarily and that this could stop tomorrow if Russia made the right choices and lived up to its commitments.

Mister Chair, the UK’s position is simple to understand. Aggression should not be rewarded. The principles we have all signed up should be protected. A peace should be sustainable. And Ukraine should be free to determine its own future. That is a strategic vision worth holding out for.

Thank you.

March 24, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 5 February 1925

5 FEBRUARY 1925

The draft of the British reply to the Clementel memorandum, which latter asked for a declaration of British policy with regard to inter-Allied debts, has been passed by the Cabinet. Broadly speaking, the Note will reaffirm the Government’s adherence to the policy of the Balfour Note.

With reference to the presence of two undesirable Turkish experts—said to be ex-convicts—with the Turkish delegation on the Commission of Inquiry into the Mosul boundary question, a protest signed by Mr. Austen Chamberlain has been addressed to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations.

Our special representative on board the Rotor ship Buckau states that with favourable weather the vessel will likely leave Danzig this evening for Leith.

No immediate crisis is expected to arise in connection with the railwaymen’s dispute, and it is thought the respective claims will be referred to the Wages Boards.

Mr. Runciman, speaking at Reading, criticised the Government’s scheme for the safeguarding of industries, which he described as a new Protection policy.

The Commission on Food Prices heard evidence on behalf of the Scottish master butchers. It was contended that there was no profiteering by the trade in Scotland.

March 24, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 4 February 1925

4 FEBRUARY 1925

At a meeting in London the demands by the N.U.R. for wages increases and improved conditions of service were rejected by the railway companies, who submitted proposals for a reduction in wages.

The Dean of Durham, at a debate with a railwayman at Stockton, again defended his declaration that the railway workers’ demands were selfish.

A settlement was reached in the London electricians’ dispute, and the strike notices were withdrawn.

A Command Paper states that any duties proposed for the safeguarding of industries shall be imposed for a limited period and in a Finance Bill in which that period will be prescribed. The procedure to be followed by the Committees into applications is given, and it is stated that no application will be entertained in respect of articles of food and drink.

Receipts from Estate Duty so far point to a surplus over the Budget estimate, in which case Local Authorities will benefit.

A Supplementary Estimate has been issued, which shows that an additional sum of over seven and a half million is required by the various Civil Services before the end of the year.

Our London Correspondent understands that the Cabinet decided to postpone the dispatch of the Debts Note to France in order that it may receive further consideration at another meeting, when the Marquis Curzon is expected to be present.

March 24, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 3 February 1925

3 FEBRUARY 1925

The Greek Note of protest against the expulsion from Constantinople of the Ecumenical Patriarch has been delivered to the Turkish Government. Feeling on the question is intense among the Greek community, by whom the Turkish action is regarded as a breach of faith and a violation of international treaty obligations.

Lord Blanesburgh has been appointed principal British delegate on the Reparation Commission in succession to Lord Bradbury.

An Opposition motion in the French Chamber of Deputies, framed in the interest of the retention of the Embassy to the Vatican, was resisted by M. Herriot, who made the question one of confidence. The motion was rejected by 314 votes to 250.

Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Minister of Health, speaking at Manchester, referred to the gravity of the housing problem. Regarding steel houses, he said that if the public wanted them, it was not going to tolerate obstruction, whatever form it might take, or from whatever quarter it might come.

Sir W. Johnson-Hicks, the Home Secretary, speaking at Deptford, referred to the Communists’ proposals to carry out propaganda in the British fighting forces.

Mr. J. R. Clynes, M.P., speaking at Mitcham, said that British Trade Unionism was required to make a stand against those who were fostering divisions among the rank and file, hoping for complete disruption. Their energies were spent in waving revolutionary banners, and in worshipping the names of Russian leaders. Mr. Clynes said they must emphatically resist the efforts being made to form minority movements within the Trade Union ranks.

March 24, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 2 February 1925

2 FEBRUARY 1925

The greatest indignation has been caused in Greece by the expulsion of the Ecumenical Patriarch from Constantinople. The Greek Government have dispatched a protest to Angora.

A Washington telegram gives extracts from American Press comment on President Coolidge’s reply to M. Emile Daeschner when he presented his letters of credence as French Ambassador. The extracts indicate, says the message, how little sentiment will influence the debt settlement.

A Paris telegram announces the death of the Duc de Gramont.

The funeral of the late Field-Marshal Lord Grenfell was attended by special representatives of the King and other members of the Royal Family. The first portion of the service took place at St. Mary’s Church, Bryanston Square, London, and the interment at Beaconsfield. Full military honours were accorded.

Speaking in Birmingham, Mr Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary, said that Old Europe was consumed in the fires of the Great War, and the New Europe had yet to be built on foundations that might give peace and security to the nations of the world.

Campaigning in the election precipitated in Southern Ireland by the resignation of the M’Grath group of Deputies was begun during the weekend. President Cosgrave, speaking at a Government meeting in College Green, Dublin, met with a good deal of organised interruption. Addressing a Republican meeting in County Roscommon, Mr De Valera said he had nothing to tell them beyond what he told them six years ago on the same platform. There was no use wishing for freedom unless they were prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to attain it.

March 24, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 1 February 1925

1 FEBRUARY 1925

It was reported that Prince George, who had tonsillitis, was making good progress.

A statement by the English & Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society denied that the price of tea was so high due to speculative buying on their behalf.

March 24, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 31 January 1925

31 JANUARY 1925

The Prince of Wales attended a dinner in London hosted by the Pilgrims in honour of Mr. Kellogg, the retiring United States Ambassador. In his response to a toast, Mr. Kellogg emphasised that the greatest step towards peace would be to eliminate the root causes of war, specifically racial hatreds and national jealousies.

Upon presenting his credentials to President Coolidge, M. Daeschner, the new French Ambassador to the United States, suggested that the wartime cooperation between the two nations should continue in the settlement of material debts and debts of gratitude. This direct mention of a sensitive subject at such an event was seen by diplomatic circles as highly significant.

The German Chancellor, addressing a gathering of journalists in Berlin, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Allies’ handling of Germany. He argued that after recently resolving a major issue at the Conference table, they had treated Germany like a convicted prisoner, leaving the nation uninformed of its alleged crimes and the evidence against it.

Zaghlul Pasha, as President of the Wafd, sent a telegram to Mr. Austen Chamberlain to protest recent British actions in Sudan. He asserted that these actions suggested Britain’s intention to separate Sudan from Egypt.

Mr. Asquith and Mr. Lloyd George delivered speeches at a Liberal demonstration in Albert Hall. Mr. Asquith focused on opposing Socialism and Communism and defending Free Trade. Mr. Lloyd George argued that the Unionist party was attempting to reclaim the powers that the Liberal party had taken from the House of Lords.

At the second day’s session of the Liberal Convention in London, Major Donaldson stated that Scotland had a form of local option with certain embellishments. He described the Scottish Temperance Act as a product of complex political manoeuvring, noting that, as it stood, 4,500 electors could effectively overrule 5,500.

March 24, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 30 January 1925

30 JANUARY 1925

Mr. Baldwin, speaking at a victory celebration banquet in London, stated that there was an element in the Unionist party who had been content to sit quietly and let others do the work. He emphasised that victory could only be sustained if the party showed itself fully committed to its cause, as eager to expound it as any of its two opponents.

At the first day’s session of the Liberal Convention in London, Mr. Lloyd George declared that Mr. Asquith and he had had no differences of opinion regarding policy, and least of all had they had any personal differences.

By a vote of 541 to 32, the French Chamber decided that M. Herriot’s speech on Wednesday, which outlined the Government’s policy regarding Germany, should be placarded all over France. Before this decision, M. Herriot had to satisfy the Socialists concerning certain passages of the speech, giving a formal assurance that his speech was in absolute conformity with the policy of security and peace he had previously advocated and would continue to practice. A Berlin telegram reported that M. Herriot’s speech had caused a sensation in German political and official circles, where it was described as “aggressive.”

Negotiations for the settlement of the strike of the men in the service of the Office of Works failed.

A statement by the National Allied Building Trades Employers drew attention to the “avowed intention of two of the leading operative unions to secede from the National Wages and Conditions Council, and also from the National Federation of Building Trades Operatives.” The employers viewed the matter seriously, adding that they would require all bodies adherent to the Operatives’ Federation at the time of the settlement last autumn to honour the engagements entered into.

March 24, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin [March 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 March 2025.

Joint statement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin following UK-Ireland Summit.

UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement
1. This Joint Statement represents the starting point for a strengthened relationship between the UK and Ireland, informed by our co-guarantorship of the Good Friday Agreement, and to be taken forward through an ambitious programme of co-operation between our two countries through to 2030.
2. The time has come to commit anew to delivering on the promise of our unique partnership to the benefit of current and future generations living across these islands.
3. Our renewed programme of co-operation will be taken forward in a spirit of respect and affinity, and by a shared ambition to reach the potential of our partnership across our islands, recognising that, in a changing world beyond our shores, the benefits and significance of a stronger and more settled relationship between our two countries have never been greater.
The UK and Ireland working together at home and across the globe
1. In a challenging geo-political and international security environment, Ireland and the UK confirm our commitment to the global multilateral system and international law as the foundations on which all our international engagement and partnerships are built.
2. Building on these foundations, we will work together to strengthen international institutions for peace, promote conflict prevention, peace-building, sustainable development and climate action internationally. Today, we have agreed in particular to collaborate on a strategic approach to the United Nations’ Peacebuilding Architecture Review and the World Bank’s Fragility, Conflict, Violence (FCV) Strategy. We also agree to collaborate on the Women, Peace and Security agenda and to pilot a joint lesson-sharing from the Northern Ireland peace process in an agreed priority country.
3. We will support this intensification of our co-operation on foreign and security policy issues through annual political consultations.
4. Continuing to ensure the safety and security of the people who live in Ireland and the United Kingdom is a priority we share.
5. National resilience remains a priority for both of us. We will strengthen co-operation and information sharing on emergency planning to best protect our peoples across these islands.
6. We will strengthen our co-operation in the area of maritime security, with a particular focus on critical undersea infrastructure, which will require greater international co-operation, including closer co-operation between Ireland and the UK.
7. We value our good working relationship at an operational level on cyber security and will continue to co-operate to ensure that the sharing of information and best practices contribute to higher levels of cyber security across both countries. We will also work to develop approaches that benefit both countries particularly in the areas of skills development, cyber hygiene awareness and research projects.
8. Since 2015, the UK and Ireland have cooperated on defence on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding. We will pursue implementation of all aspects of that agreement, particularly in the areas of military training and education. To reflect the rebuilding and strengthening of our partnership, today we agree to review and update the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence by our next Summit in this series.
9. We will continue to develop these areas of work, including through our structured security dialogue at senior official level.
10. We will strengthen existing co-operation on criminal, civil and family law matters and exchange expertise on justice systems challenges, as well as collaborating on the rule of law and its promotion overseas. We will continue to work together to tackle threats to safety online.
Ensuring a strategic and efficient approach to our shared maritime space to mobilise investment, support a healthy marine environment and provide clean energy for our islands
1. We recognise the critical importance of the Celtic and Irish Seas and are committed to working together to harness their potential by deepening co-operation on offshore energy and interconnection, to help ensure our collective energy security as part of the green transition to net zero.
2. Our countries are uniquely linked, not least through shared energy infrastructure and the Single Electricity Market (SEM) on the island of Ireland. This means we share common long-term challenges, including the need for secure, competitive, and sustainable sources of energy.
3. We welcome recent progress on closer working between our countries in this regard, including through our two bilateral Memoranda of Understanding, and the opportunity for more formal co-operation between British and Irish system operators (EirGrid, Gas Networks Ireland, National Energy System Operator and National Gas).
4. In order to meet our ambitious decarbonisation targets, we have agreed today to work together to mobilise investment into strategic infrastructure in the Irish and Celtic Seas by establishing frameworks to guide private investment and removing barriers to trade and investment.
5. In this regard, we have agreed that our respective maritime policy, licensing and regulatory bodies will work together to establish co-operation in relation to data collection and usage, to continue to improve the management of the maritime area in the Irish and Celtic Seas through robust marine planning that includes a clear focus on our shared marine environment.
6. We have also agreed to undertake new joint initiatives on mapping the sea basin to improve interoperability and resilience in UK and Irish waters, and to deepen existing co-operation on maritime decarbonisation, including on our joint efforts to establish green maritime corridors.
7. We will also broaden our existing Energy transition MoU to include industrial decarbonisation; knowledge sharing and exchanging best practices around retrofitting of homes and Community Benefit Funds; as well as formalising a staff exchange programme between UK and Ireland energy departments and agencies.
8. Due to its geography, engineering expertise and interconnection to both Ireland and Great Britain, Northern Ireland can benefit from and be at the forefront of the clean energy transition. Co-operation between governments on infrastructure development will be key in both enabling Northern Ireland to have a renewable generation capacity of 3,550 MW by 2030 in order to deliver the target of 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources, as well as supporting the Northern Ireland Executive’s ambition for 1GW of offshore wind from 2030 and Ireland’s ambition of at least 5GW of offshore wind by 2030, including through developing and supporting an all-island supply chain.
9. Through our continuing co-operation we can act coherently and strategically, developing and sharing research and technical innovation to address our shared challenges, which in turn will deliver significant economic and social benefits to communities across our islands.
Agile, open economies working together to attract investment, innovate from knowledge and accelerate growth
1. The UK and Ireland are particularly close economic partners with a bilateral trade relationship worth approximately 100 billion euros annually. Ireland is the UK’s 6th largest trading partner and the UK is Ireland’s second largest trading partner and we are committed to building on these ties in order to attract new investment and accelerate economic growth across our two countries.
2. Today we welcome substantial new investment announcements across a range of sectors including Digital, AI and Technology that are testimony to continued confidence in our economies and to the importance of our business and trading bilateral relationship. These commitments to invest will bring new jobs and opportunities to local communities and help drive up economic growth.
3. The UK and Ireland have a longstanding partnership in sharing knowledge and experience in progressing infrastructure projects, and we share an ambition to accelerate the delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure to drive economic growth, enable new forms of economic activity, accelerate the transition to Net Zero by 2050, and support the delivery of housing and high-quality public services over the next decade. Our countries and businesses are investing heavily in achieving this ambition but also face common challenges, including in relation to capacity and productivity. We have strong existing collaborations in the transport, housing and energy sectors, and today have agreed a new Framework for Co-operation to support infrastructure delivery to deepen these partnerships and extend them to further areas of mutual interest, including digital and modern methods of construction technologies.
4. Today, we also reaffirm our support to small business in both countries and commit to working together to establish an SME Dialogue focused on sharing good practices in nurturing growth and productivity amongst SMEs to maximise commercial opportunities.
5. We will also establish an Economic Security Exchange to share good practices and experiences, and develop common understandings in key areas for the economic security and prosperity of our two nations.
6. The UK and Ireland share a close bilateral relationship in science, innovation and technology and commit to building on this through our collaboration within the current Horizon European Research and Innovation Framework Programme, including encouraging national contact points to work closely together. We agree to convene regular meetings between UKRI and Research Ireland to discuss issues of mutual interest and monitor and identify multilateral and bilateral opportunities.
7. In early 2024, we launched the research Co-Centre for Climate, Biodiversity & Water, seeking to deliver solutions to the pressing challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity decline, and water degradation; and the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, seeking to drive societal and political change in food system transformation and transition to climate neutrality by 2050. Following the launch of these Co-Centres, UKRI and Research Ireland will work together and with the Northern Ireland Executive to monitor progress and identify future opportunities to bring together researchers and innovators across the UK and Ireland.
Developing the deep ties between our people and cultures
1. We recognise the unique ability of arts, culture and sport to forge and foster ties between people across these islands.
2. We value the extraordinary influence and contribution of British and Irish cultures and heritages to the artistic and cultural wealth of the public realm and creative industries and institutions in both our countries. In recognition of this, today, we agree to establish a strategic partnership to deepen and amplify co-operation between our leading cultural institutions and to support wider public engagement with the contemporary culture and heritage of both our countries. Over the coming five years, this will comprise a range of measures to support collaborations in programming, professional exchange, research and policy, and an annual joint meeting of our leading cultural institutions each autumn.
3. We look forward to our joint hosting of the EURO2028 Men’s Football Championship and the 2030 T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup and will work to ensure that both tournaments are enjoyed across these islands. We will explore future co-hosting opportunities in the area of sports.
4. We recognise that to reach the potential of our partnership across these islands, we need to understand and respond to the aspirations and views of young people. Today, we have agreed to establish an Ireland-UK Youth Forum to bring together young people across these islands on an annual basis to discuss issues of importance to them and to make recommendations about how they can be addressed for consideration by both our governments.
5. In order to build stronger connectivity amongst our children and young people, we will also encourage greater co-operation and contact between our schools and education systems. This will include areas such as early years learning and provision, social mobility, opportunity and inclusion; special education provision; curriculum and assessment reform; teacher professional development; and integrated education.
6. We will promote greater understanding of educational opportunities for full-time students through improved knowledge, guidance and information using higher education entrance systems.
7. The uniquely rich and dynamic connections between people across these islands are supported and made possible by our long-standing Common Travel Area arrangement. We remain firmly committed to working together to protect the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area. Recognising also the importance of the Common Travel Area in facilitating the daily lives of citizens across these islands, we will work together to minimise barriers to work or travel for those who benefit from it.
8. Underpinning our co-operation is our shared ambition of a more reconciled, peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland. In progressing our co-operation across the board, we will ensure that our partnership includes and benefits Northern Ireland. We commit to ensure the successful delivery of the 2021-2027 PeacePlus programme and are agreed in principle to a successor programme.
9. We agree to establish a UK-Ireland 2030 Steering Group led by the UK Cabinet Office and Department of the Taoiseach in order to take forward the range of commitments we are making today. Together we will ensure this complements the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and their crucial role at the heart of our essential and unique relationship.
March 24, 2025