Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin has indicated that the European Union is preparing for the possibility that Nigel Farage could become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, Martin said that
every scenario has to be planned for and has to be taken on board
He added that any response to such an outcome would first and foremost be a matter for the UK and its citizens. He also said that if Farage were to become prime minister, Ireland would engage with his government, although he noted that Farage’s policies are “
completely at variance with ours in terms of the European Union.
Martin also offered support for current UK leadership, describing Labour prime minister Keir Starmer as a “good leader” and praising efforts to “restore the relationship with the European Union,” an ambition shared by some of Starmer’s replacements-in-waiting. Martin’s broader political assessment is that
Brexit damaged Britain, many people in Britain may not want to accept that, but it did.
The comments come amid ongoing negotiations between the EU and the UK over a so-called Brexit “reset” ahead of an upcoming summit. Reports have suggested that Brussels has discussed introducing a “Farage clause” aimed at preventing future UK governments from overturning agreements tied to EU rules. EU officials have also indicated that Britain may be pressured to soften its negotiating “red lines,” including its position on remaining outside the single market and customs union.
The comments come in the aftermath of this month’s local elections, where Reform UK recorded significant gains across England, while Labour lost more than 1,400 councillors and control of several long-held areas.
