British Irish Chamber expects 'stabilisation' in trade relationship

The British Irish Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the "stabilisation" in the trade relationship between Ireland and the UK that it expects will follow Labour's landslide victory.

John McGrane, the director general of the trade group, extended his congratulations to the new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, whom he has met on several occasions in Dublin and London.

"Keir Starmer knows a lot about Ireland and the Irish people," Mr McGrane told Morning Ireland. "I have had the pleasure of working with Keir Starmer first hand over a number of years. I have driven him around on every occasion when he's come to Dublin.

"He is a man with an obvious intellect but a lot more empathy than people might associate with him. When I've been in his company and taken him to places to let him see the reality of life on the ground on this island, he's always interested in the wellbeing of this country, and he's hugely aware of the deep and long-standing and unique relationship between Ireland and Britain."

Mr McGrane said the trade relationship with the UK is Ireland's most important relationship. "From a trade point of view, we hugely welcome the stabilisation."

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Brexit was barely mentioned in the UK election campaign and Labour has said it wants to 'reset' ties with the EU.

According to the British Irish Chamber, this does not mean there will be a new referendum, but instead the new Prime Minister will make efforts to improve the trading relationship "bit by bit".

Half of every household food budget is spent on Irish food, Mr MGrane said, and he said Mr Starmer will be asking how can Britain make it less troublesome for British people to buy the food that they want to eat.

"Irish food is the best in the world, and when Britain is enabled to eat more of it rather than less of it, which is what happened during Brexit, everyone wins," he said.