Burnham and Irish PM's pub meeting raises awkward questions for Union

In a week when the Prime Minister has been forced to confront the ghosts of Brexit and the spectre of a united Ireland, Andy Burnham chose the unlikely setting of a Wigan social club to host the Irish Taoiseach, Micheál Martin. The visit to the Brian Boru, the oldest Irish establishment in Britain, was rich in symbolism, but for many Unionists it will have sent a distinctly uncomfortable signal.

The meeting, which took place on Friday at No 10 North before moving to the club in Ashton-in-Makerfield, was the first time a serving Taoiseach had set foot in the establishment. It came just days after President Trump's provocative remarks in Dublin, where he declared he would 'love to see' a united Ireland, and amid growing speculation about the future of the Union.

Why is the Brian Boru club significant for Anglo-Irish relations?

The club, which first opened its doors in 1889, is named after Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland who defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. For generations of Irish immigrants, he remains a potent symbol of unity and resistance. Joe Flynn, chair of the Manchester Irish Education Group, was quick to draw the parallel: 'Is there a modern day version of Brian? Perhaps the two leaders here today can be unifying, because of our historical relations.'

Mr Burnham, who traces his own roots to Ireland and wore a shamrock green tie for the occasion, was keen to emphasise his heritage. 'It's just great to make sure we're always rooted in our community. If you know where you came from you've got a good chance of knowing where you're going in life,' he said. He also referenced Mark Carney, the Canadian Prime Minister with Irish roots, suggesting that together they could 'be voices that unite in terms of facing the bigger threats we face across the world'.

What did the two leaders say about a united Ireland?

When pressed by the Manchester Evening News on his personal views regarding Irish unification, Mr Burnham was careful to stick to the official line. 'As Prime Minister of the UK, it's my job to make sure I look after all parts of the UK, and very much uphold the principles of the Good Friday Agreement,' he said. 'That is my role, it's what I will do faithfully, carefully, particularly with the 30th anniversary coming up next year.'

The Taoiseach, for his part, merely repeated the same formula, insisting on the importance of upholding the Agreement. But others in the Irish community were less reticent. Brian Kennedy, from the Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill, dismissed Mr Trump's intervention as 'a bit of a comedian' but admitted: 'A lot of Irish people feel that way, we would love to see a united Ireland, done peacefully.'

What does this mean for the Union and the Good Friday Agreement?

The Good Friday Agreement, signed in 1998, ended 30 years of The Troubles and enshrined the principle that Northern Ireland remains part of the UK until a majority of its people vote otherwise. Mr Burnham's repeated invocation of the Agreement is a clear signal that he intends to hold the line, but the optics of hosting the Irish PM in such a symbolic venue will not have been lost on Unionist voters.

Reform MP Danny Kruger, speaking at the Democratic Unionist Party Annual Conference, sought to refocus attention on the practicalities of the Union, recommitting his party to removing the border in the Irish Sea. He argued that the soft Irish border must not become a 'backdoor for illegal migration into the UK'. Mr Burnham said he had discussed immigration with Mr Martin, adding: 'There's always discussions between the UK and Ireland on issues relating to immigration and we touched on those today.'

How does the EU 'Made in Europe' policy affect the UK?

Beyond the constitutional questions, the meeting also touched on the thorny issue of post-Brexit trade. Mr Martin expressed his hope for a 'stronger and closer' relationship between the UK and the EU, while Mr Burnham acknowledged that there were issues from Europe causing 'concern', namely the 'Made in Europe' industrial policy. Chancellor John Healey has urged the EU not to exclude Britain from the scheme, which is designed to protect European manufacturing from Chinese competition.

Mr Burnham warned that if these rules were to disrupt supply chains, it could have 'significant impact for both sides actually, not just us, given the extent of integration between UK and Irish manufacturing'. He added: 'It makes sense to work together because we face the same issues. The UK is not a problem here.'

What was the atmosphere like at the club?

The visit was not all politics. The two leaders were greeted by a live band playing traditional Irish music, and Mr Burnham and Mr Martin sat beside retired canon Patrick MacNally as he celebrated his 90th birthday, blowing out the candles on his chocolate cake. Tom Moran, co-owner of the club, captured the spirit of the occasion: 'Irish people came here, built their lives here, they became a part of Ashton, and thankfully decided they needed somewhere for a pint, a tune and a bit of craic!'

Will the UK pursue a closer relationship with the EU?

Mr Burnham's comments on Europe suggest a pragmatic approach, but one that stops short of the 'associate membership' being considered by Canada. When asked if the UK had similar ambitions, he said: 'It's important that we continue on this path towards a closer working relationship with Europe. We need to get the economy growing, there's things that can be done to reduce the barriers of Brexit and give a boost to the British economy.'

The UK government's EU reset summit, due to take place later this year, has already been postponed once. Whether it goes ahead may depend on the EU's willingness to discuss the 'Made in Europe' legislation. As ever, the devil is in the detail, and for all the warm words in Ashton, the hard negotiations lie ahead.