Michelle O’Neill said she will use her first meeting with Mr Burnham to call for ‘fair funding for public services’ in the region.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister has called for a “different approach” from incoming prime minister Andy Burnham.
Michelle O’Neill said she will use her first meeting with Mr Burnham when he takes office to call for “fair funding for public services” in the region.
Mr Burnham was officially made the Labour Party leader at a special conference at the Trades Union Congress headquarters in central London on Friday.
He will replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister next week, vowing to give people “hope back”.
The former mayor of Greater Manchester has been a vocal supporter of more devolved powers to English regions.
In his acceptance speech, he said: “We will take power back from Westminster and Whitehall, and give it to the place where you live – more power over life’s essentials, so you can make them work better and more affordable for people.”
The First Minister and vice-president of Sinn Féin said she wishes the Makerfield MP well on becoming Labour leader and stands “ready to work constructively with him”.
“A different approach is needed from the British Government,” she said.
“Successive British governments have implemented policies that have been catastrophic for ordinary people.
“They have cut vital public services, deepened inequalities, and left families struggling through a cost-of-living crisis while a small elite continues to accumulate enormous wealth.
“I look forward to meeting with Andy Burnham when he takes up the role as British prime minister.
“I will make the case for fair funding for public services, action on the cost-of-living crisis, and full respect for our democratic right to determine our own future here on the island of Ireland.
“The interests of all the people of Ireland will be best served when we have full control of our own affairs in a new and united Ireland.”
