David Cameron has come close to endorsing Enda Kenny in the forthcoming general election, saying he looked forward to working with the Taoiseach "in the months and years ahead".
Speaking at a joint press conference in Downing Street, the British prime minister said he would not offer the Taoiseach advice about how to win the election. But he noted that Mr Kenny’s economic argument for re-electing the Fine Gael/Labour coalition sounded like the “long-term economic plan” that was at the heart of the successful Conservative campaign last year.
“Irish elections are a matter for the Irish people and I would only say that we work very closely together and I’m looking forward to doing that in the months and years to come,” Mr Cameron said.
Heads of government are usually careful to avoid any hint of public interference in the elections of other states, regardless of their personal preferences. But Mr Cameron stressed the warmth of his relationship with the Taoiseach a number of times during yesterday’s press conference, praising Mr Kenny as a highly respected, experienced European leader who has been a persuasive advocate for Britain in its EU reform negotiations.
Invitation
For his part, the Taoiseach invited Mr Cameron to visit Ireland during the 1916 centenary commemorations, which the two men discussed during a meeting which lasted over an hour.
“We discussed the 1916 centenary commemorations and we have a very comprehensive, inclusive, sensitive whole series of things this year. I’ve invited the prime minister to come over himself at some time during the course of the year if that’s appropriate and obviously he’ll make a decision on that in due course,” he said.
Mr Cameron looked a little nonplussed by the invitation and sources close to the talks suggested the prime minister’s visit is likely to take place during the second half of the year and will not be linked to a specific commemorative event.
The Taoiseach went from Downing Street to the Photographers’ Gallery to view rare Irish photographs from the events surrounding the Rising. The exhibition, drawn from Sean Sexton’s collection, is the first of a programme of centenary events supported by the Irish Embassy in London.
Last night, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds MP said Northern Ireland’s membership of the EU is “solely a matter for the people of the United Kingdom”.
"I can understand why politicians from other jurisdictions may have an interest in how the United Kingdom votes in an EU referendum but they must respect that this is entirely a matter for the people of the United Kingdom," he said in a statement.
“For politicians outside the United Kingdom to tell us how to vote and lecture us as to what is best for Northern Ireland is disrespectful and will be counterproductive. I trust that Enda Kenny will keep this in mind when making future comments about the EU referendum.”
