Irish Leader Says EU Prepares for Possible Farage Government

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the European Union is preparing for a scenario in which Nigel Farage becomes prime minister. When asked by Irish broadcaster RTE about the prospect of working with Mr Farage, Mr Martin said every scenario has to be planned for and would be a matter for the United Kingdom and its people.

He added that Ireland would engage if Nigel Farage becomes prime minister, but noted his policies are at variance with Ireland's in terms of the European Union.

Martin also defended the current Labour government and described its leader as a good leader who restored the relationship with the European Union. In comments on Brexit, Mr Martin said Brexit damaged Britain and that many people in Britain may not want to accept that.

The European Union continues to negotiate elements of the current British government's Brexit reset ahead of a summit later this month.

It had been reported earlier this year that Brussels was looking to enforce a Farage clause to stop any future government ripping up deals that bind Britain to EU directives. The EU is also putting pressure on the current British government to drop its red lines to secure a reset, which include staying outside of the single market and customs union.

A centrist French MEP said the world has changed since those red lines were drawn. A senior EU official told Politico that it is unclear how revolutionary any reset can be without revisiting the red lines. The EU might be biding its time for a new government leader amid reports that more than 90 current government MPs have publicly called on the leader to step down.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is looking to return to the House of Commons after the Makerfield by-election on June 18, is also adopting a pro-EU stance.