New Northern Ireland secretary Chris Bryant says his door will be open to all Stormont parties

New Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant has said his door will be open to all the Stormont parties and all communities.

Speaking after being appointed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday night, Mr Bryant said while daunting, and with a “heavy responsibility”, he is “looking forward to getting properly stuck in”.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, he said he is focused on maintaining political stability and promoting economic growth.

“I want to be very clear from the outset: my door will be open to all parties and all communities,” he said.

“We are going to work together constructively to keep building a stable, prosperous future for everyone in Northern Ireland.

“Our focus is simple: maintaining political stability, promoting economic growth, and making sure devolved government delivers for people in their everyday lives.

“We need to make sure that every young person sees an economic opportunity for themselves in Northern Ireland, and for their family. There is serious work ahead, and I am ready to get on with it.”

There has been a mixed reaction from Northern Ireland’s parties to Mr Bryant so far.

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald and deputy president and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said they spoke with Mr Bryant by phone.

They said they urged a “change of approach” by the Labour government in how its decisions are badly impacting workers and families; in dealing with the legacy of the past and ending immunity from prosecution of British State forces; on political reform of the Stormont institutions; and the future constitutional position of Ireland and Irish unity.

Ms McDonald insisted the “political realities in Britain and Ireland are rapidly changing”, and the “next part of this island’s political journey is focused on our constitutional future beyond the Union, and Irish unity”.

Ms O’Neill added: “We stressed that the Labour government’s approach must change.

“The Executive is not being funded fairly which is devastating public services. Westminster is hampering the efforts of local ministers to deliver our agenda. The cost-of-living pressures on workers and families and a budget that helps give relief must be prioritised.

“Sinn Féin recently published proposals on political reform to ensure the Executive can deliver now. This includes the devolution of fiscal powers which remain reserved by Westminster. Twenty-eight years on since the powersharing was established, the Executive is hamstrung.

“I will work with others across the board to get a better deal for all our people, businesses and communities.”

Speaking to reporters in East Belfast, DUP leader Gavin Robinson conceded Mr Bryant is “very favourable toward the European Union”.

He said: “We need to have an arrangement with our Government that ensures we are not at a detriment to other parts of this United Kingdom.

“And to put it in stark terms, look today about the Government’s decision to remove VAT from some of the utility bills that people face – that’s a good thing.

“But in Northern Ireland, they’re going to have to transfer the cash rather than just give us the straight VAT decision.

“Why is that? Because they need the European Union’s agreement, and it seems as if we have a Government that’s not even prepared to ask.

“What does that say about their reset of relationships, if they’re not able to pass on the same VAT reduction on the same terms as the rest of the United Kingdom?”.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna said she had a “constructive” discussion with Mr Bryant on the challenges facing Northern Ireland.

She pressed him on ensuring the Executive agrees a budget for the current financial year before August 1, when a 5% cut on departmental spending is set to be inflicted.

“That outcome would be a self-inflicted wound that we can ill afford and a real dereliction of duty by those parties who sought and won power to govern,” she said.

“I reminded the Secretary of State about appropriate and consistent funding for Northern Ireland which remains outstanding, delivered in a way that incentivises strategic decision making locally and not years of quick fix.”

Meanwhile TUV leader Jim Allister described the new Secretary of State as an “EU fanatic” on X, adding that he has “little expectation” he will advocate for Northern Ireland “against EU colonialism”.

Mr Bryant replied: “Jim I look forward to working with you for a strong Northern Ireland in a strong United Kingdom.”