WE did not have to wait for long for Andy Burnham to confirm that he is the latest in a long line of UK prime ministers who often struggle to speak coherently and confidently about Irish issues.

Tony Blair had many other failings but, of all the holders of the post in the last 50 years, he was probably the only one who entered office with a clear understanding of Irish history and a related determination to encourage the search for progress.

Burnham, despite his Liverpool/Irish family connections, was badly exposed when he tried to offer thoughts on Irish unification during his first official engagement in Belfast last month, and had to have his position swiftly clarified by the Northern Ireland Office.

He then caused further puzzlement by drawing an unexpected comparison during Westminster questions last week between the prospects for Scottish independence and a possible border poll here, with again his colleagues hurriedly insisting that it did not represent a change of stance.

Fionnbharr Rodgers: How can Irish people be British?

Noel Doran: Andy Burnham should learn from Tony Blair about Ireland

Burnham’s initial suggestion after arriving in Belfast that a unity referendum was “off the table” was plainly in breach of the admittedly vague terms of the Good Friday Agreement, and he subsequently had to declare that he was actually a........

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