PM Starmer wraps up U.K. tour after visit to Nothern Ireland

Keir Starmer promises change and stability in Northern Ireland during post-election tour, focusing on peace and unity.

New Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 8 wrapped up a whistlestop tour of the U.K., promising Northern Ireland's leaders "a different way of doing politics" following years of Brexit turmoil.

Mr. Starmer, whose centre-left Labour party won last week's general election, ended the two-day tour in Cardiff, meeting party allies heading Wales' devolved government, after also visiting Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In Belfast, he met the leaders of the U.K. province's power-sharing executive and other parties at the Stormont parliament buildings.

"I've been very clear that my government has a mandate for change, for stability here in Northern Ireland and a different way of doing politics," Mr. Starmer said after the talks.

He had met First Minister Michelle O'Neill, of the pro-Irish unity Sinn Fein, as well as the party's president Mary Lou McDonald, alongside deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Northern Ireland's parties appeared united in hoping Starmer can improve stability and engagement, as well as relations with Dublin, after strained ties under his Conservative predecessors.

Ms. McDonald told reporters the talks were "very constructive" and expressed "happiness" that "the party of the Good Friday Agreement, the Labour Party, is now back in government in London".