18 May 2025 

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has said tomorrow’s UK-EU Summit must be serious on closer relations.

She was speaking ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European President Ursula Von Der Leyen in London.

South Belfast and Mid Down MP Ms Hanna said:

“The shift in tone between the UK and the EU in recent months has been welcome. With the precarious state of international relations, it is clear that both sides must come together for mutual benefit. Warm words must now be backed up by action and a clear agreement on the way forward.

“Agreement is in all of our best interests. Since Brexit, Britain has suffered significant damage caused not only to the economy, but standing on the world stage. Northern Ireland has experienced the poisoning of our politics and complexities for our businesses to navigate. There are also a number of practical issues outstanding around freedom of movement for young people and cross-border travel for tourists under the ETA scheme.

“The SDLP is proudly the North’s most pro-European party and we have brought forward our own proposals to address these issues in ‘Our European Future’ policy paper. While we will relentlessly advocate for a new Ireland at the heart of Europe, we recognise the importance of a closer relationship between the EU and the UK in the here and now, and the benefits it would bring to our friends and neighbours across these islands.”