Why Mark Carney is dropping both his Irish and U.K. passports [Video]

St. Patrick’s Day may be just around the corner, but it seems Mark Carney can no longer truly claim to be Irish, as Canada’s new prime minister moved to renounce both his Irish and U.K. citizenships, prior to starting his new job.

Carney had acquired Irish citizenship through his family ancestry and got his U.K. passport while working overseas as the governor of the Bank of England. 

He has said that, while many MPs have multiple citizenships, “as prime minister, I should only hold one.”

Indeed, several million Canadians report holding more than one citizenship, while very few prime ministers have done the same.

Having ties to more than one country can complicate a politician’s life.

“It’s less complicated if you just have one citizenship,” said Kathy Brock, a professor emerita of politics at Queen’s University. Being entrusted with state secrets can prompt voter concerns about loyalties if more than one citizenship is in the mix, she says, and that’s separate from …