Prime Minister Andy Burnham dey Liverpool today to meet im Canadian counterpart Mark Carney. The two world leaders na Everton fans and reports talk say after their meeting, dem go watch the Toffees play.
Burnham dey return to work after e take small compassionate leave. Im father Roy die on Monday after battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Today schedule tight. E go meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at a science campus in Oxford. Later, e go meet Mr Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, for Liverpool for a crucial bilateral meeting.
The two leaders both support Everton. Reports suggest after their meeting, dem go head to Hill Dickinson Stadium to watch their beloved Toffees in action. The Blues go face Wolverhampton Wanderers for Carabao Cup, kick-off 7.45pm. Both major world leaders set to watch.
According to reports, the meeting between Prime Ministers of United Kingdom and Canada go be behind closed doors. But there may be some televised opening words before then.
Burnham love for Everton well known. But e fit surprise some people say former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney also be passionate Toffee. Back in 2013, before e take over Bank of England, Mr Carney let slip about im allegiance. During hearing in im native Canada, e talk: ‘I am an Everton supporter. I have got some cousins in Liverpool.’
Meanwhile, im UK compatriot don vow say e go continue to dey go watch im team at Hill Dickinson Stadium as Prime Minister.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meet im new British counterpart, Andy Burnham, for first time Wednesday at the home of the soccer club wey both of them support, before dem watch Everton play together.
Carney and Burnham hold bilateral talks inside luxury suite wey dey overlook pitch at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium for Liverpool before dem watch club face Wolverhampton for third round of League Cup.
The setting add personal element to their first face-to-face meeting. Burnham na lifelong Everton supporter and season-ticket holder. Carney don talk say cousins in Liverpool lead am to support club. Carney attend Everton matches while e live for Britain during im seven years as governor of Bank of England.
Burnham welcome Carney to Liverpool and joke say e glad say finally e get someone ‘to talk to and commiserate about Everton at a G7 meeting.’
The meeting also take personal note after recent death of Burnham father from Alzheimer’s disease. Both leaders wear Alzheimer’s Society brooches, and Carney reveal say im father also die from disease. ‘So, I know that struggle,’ Carney tell Burnham.
After dem meet about 20 minutes, Carney and Burnham come out wearing matching Everton scarves to applause from some fans. Dem shake hands and pose for selfies before match begin.
A senior Canadian government official talk say Carney and Burnham expected to discuss Canadian-backed proposal to combine competing plans for international defense bank wey could help NATO allies finance increased military spending and defense production. Canada don champion proposed Defense, Security and Resilience Bank, while Britain pursue separate multilateral defense financing initiative. The official, wey speak on condition of anonymity because dem no authorize am to discuss meeting publicly, talk say Ottawa believe the proposals could be brought together.
The leaders also expected to discuss potentially expanded Canadian role in British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, as well as cooperation on drones, artificial intelligence, satellite communications, critical minerals and quantum technology.
