uuptoday.org

Following Tony Blair’s announcement that this was to be his last Party Conference as Labour Leader and Prime Minister there has been an understandable clamour by senior figures for positions of power.

That’s why I repeat the importance of getting it right this time. This could be our last chance for a generation.

On Friday night last, Party Officer responsible for Youth Development, membership and Recruitment Kenny Donbaldson was a guest speaker at Strangford Constituency Association’s Annual dinner.

“I say to you here tonight that a Northern Ireland without a strong, unified and visionary Ulster Unionist Movement would be an extremely bleak place. Those of us involved in Ulster Unionism should realize that we hold the key to the future of this Country, we can either; be self-indulgent, cry about all those who’ve betrayed us, done us wrong and stolen our clothes or we can take control of our own destiny and make this beautiful Country of ours work for the betterment of all the Northern Ireland community,” concluded Mr Donaldson.

Ulster Unionist Employment and Learning Spokesperson Ken Robinson MLA, has today met with Dr Peter Cotgreave, the Director of the London-based think-tank the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE).

CaSE represents the views of the UK science community and is a key influence in political debate throughout the UK on the place of the sciences. In August this year, CaSE produced a report on the teaching of sciences in Northern Ireland schools, showing both strengths and weaknesses.

In a statement, Mr Robinson said: “If Northern Ireland is to have a knowledge-based regional economy capable of competing in the global market - and securing quality jobs for the people of Northern Ireland - investment in science teaching and scientific research is absolutely essential. The recent CaSE report has highlighted actions that must be taken to ensure that existing strengths are secured and built upon.

“CaSE has also drawn attention to the commitment to science teaching and research by the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. In particular, the decision by Scotland to appoint a Chief Scientific Advisor - a move now also recommended by the Welsh Assembly - provides a concrete example of a policy initiative that can focus political and public attention on the economic significance of science teaching and research.

“There is much that is positive regarding the sciences in Northern Ireland - not least the commitment and motivation of our science teachers, and the strong research record of our two excellent universities. However, Northern Ireland is at the bottom of the UK league table in terms of our investment in science research. If we want to see our economy grow and compete, this needs to be addressed.

“Investment in science teaching and research has the potential to deliver economic and social benefits for Northern Ireland.  It cannot be an optional extra for our economy.  Leadership from a devolved administration in Northern Ireland could enable all of us to gain from a new appreciation of the economic importance of science teaching and research.”

The recent report by the oversight commissioner stating that the slashing of the number of Policing Districts from 29 to 8 under the review of public administration would cause problems of service delivery as envisaged by Patten, vindicates the stance taken by all the political parties except Sinn Fein, Alderman Arnold Hatch Ulster Unionist Vice-President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association said today.

In a statement Mr Hatch said,

“The 7 council model would mean large remote and weak local government where local communities would be further isolated from the decision making bodies.

It is time the Policing Board questioned the ‘lap dog’ approach of the Chief Constable who has not, I believe, realised the implications of only 8 District Command Units to cover Northern Ireland.

It will be difficult to keep close to local communities without creating another tier of bureaucracy within policing.

I can see quite clearly why the at least the Sinn Fein Leadership has opted for the 7 council model because it will make it more difficult for the PSNI to keep law and order.”

UUP Sports Spokesperson Trevor Ringland today congratulated Derry City FC on their brave performance last night against top French club Paris St. Germain.

“I want to congratulate the players and fans of Derry City football club on doing us all proud last night”, said Mr Ringland. “Whilst at the end of the day the result was disappointing, the Derry players put in a very creditable performance against an elite European football team. This was the closest a club from either Irish football league has ever come to participating in the group stages of European competition”.

“In particular, I would like to commend Derry City’s fans for their enthusiasm, and for being such superb ambassadors for their city. People across the Province can learn a great deal from their positivity. Derry’s fans showed all of us the true positive character of people here and it’s to all of our shame that we often can’t show such a constructive attitude at home to each other.

The people of the Maiden City can feel proud of their team’s achievements this season in Europe - all of us can only hope that the best from Stephen Kenny’s team is yet to come”.

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid Ulster, Billy Armstrong MLA in the wake of a meeting with the Secretary of State, Peter Hain MP on 28 September 2006 has said that throughout the meeting the whole thrust of Peter Hain’s argument for the return of Devolution at Stormont was that it was for Unionists to compromise and Sinn Fein not being pressurised to do anything. He gave the impression throughout that it was only the Unionists that had to move

Billy said: “The Westminster Government would be prepared to accept Sinn Fein in a NI Executive today, irrespective of its undemocratic position with regards to the police and the rule of law and order. The criminal empires are still in existence and will continue, long after the 24 November deadline. This must be the only country in the world where a political party, does not support the police service, can have a seat in Government. By failing to confront the main obstacle to the return of a devolved administration, namely the Republican Movement’s failure to abandon criminality once and for all, Peter Hain has effectively handed them a veto over political progress

The Westminster Government is continuing in its failure to respect the Unionist position but the difference now, is that Unionists must get it right because the Westminster government has closed all exits, which had previously remained open to the advantage of the Ulster Unionist Party.

There is a complete lack of trust in the Unionist community of Sinn Fein and still no arrests following the 20 December 2004, Northern Bank robbery of £26m and murder of Robert Mc Cartney in 2005 which was then followed by murder of Denis Donaldson in April 2006 and all these have links to the IRA. These events are being air brushed out of history by the Westminster Government and no one to be held accountable. I have no reason to suppose, should a deal be struck between DUP and Sinn Fein in the coming weeks that similar incidents would not occur. What proof does government require to make them realise that Sinn Fein still has structures in place and the personnel to carry out similar attacks in the future?

Devolution is the only way we will be able to alleviate some of the worst effects of disastrous policies on rates, education, health service, water rates, economic growth and reduction of District Councils. It is time that DUP and Sinn Fein thrashed out their differences.”

UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey today raised serious questions about the point in going to talks in Scotland after a senior DUP figure appeared to categorically rule out any deal being done, no matter what the circumstances, by November 24th.

Lord Morrow appeared to rule out any deal being done by November 24th in comments at an Assembly Meeting in Stormont on Tuesday. The Hansard records Lord Morrow as having said, “…anyone who is holding their breath for 24 November can forget about it. I state clearly: those people can forget about 24 November because nothing will happen.”

Sir Reg said this was a new line from the DUP chairman and at loggerheads with today’s comment by Ian Paisley who said that any deal done by November 24th would have to be put to the people.

In a statement Sir Reg said,

“The DUP Chairman has ruled out, quite emphatically, any progress by the November 24 deadline. The Secretary of State re-iterated the seriousness of the government deadline today and yesterday in the Dail, Bertie Ahern, in a statement, said that post November 24th the Irish government was keen to press on with Plan B and increased North-South activity and influence in Northern Ireland.

Unionism does not react well to blackmail or threats and all of this from both governments could of course be hard-balling. Having said that it seems the DUP have once again shifted position if the DUP Chairman’s comments are anything to go by.

If the DUP has decided it is not going to do the business, under any circumstances, by November 24th, the question has to be asked what is the purpose of the talks in Scotland? Will a genuine effort be made to reach a breakthrough or will it be a case of just going through the motions?

There is no clearly defined DUP position on its attitude to the November 24th deadline. Are we to believe the Deputy Leader and his more reasonable position? The Party Leader and his slightly more hardline position? Or the absolutist position of the Party Chairman?

If the DUP have made their mind up as Lord Morrow says they have, then the public should be told the reasons why and the governments should not waste an estimated £500,000 taxpayers money on an elaborate PR stunt in St Andrews.

It seems that Lord Morrow is rushing forward to embrace failure on behalf of Unionism, potentially handing a propaganda victory to Sinn Fein.”

Reg Empey is pioneering radical change in our party following the end of the formal link to the Orange Order.He has followed up this break with traditional Unionism with brave statements in his interview last June in Irish News recognizing that Unionism in general must come to terms with its past and recognize that over the last 35 years Unionist rhetoric from both Unionist parties has been on occasion negative, divisive and in certain cases encouraging violence and sectarian hatred.This big gesture shows a more tolerant and pluralist vision;History shows us UUP has proved it can work with nationalism to make NI work.

Sectarianism ( and increasingly racism) are now endemic within our society and perhaps the most serious problem facing our community and must be tackled with politicians taking a lead.Children born after the troubles are now entrenched in sectarian division.It is time for all politicians to act as shown by the example in Scotland where the new devolved executive have made defeat of sectarianism a priority.Too often our politicians simply stoke up fear to perpetuate polarization for their own gain,with rejectionist negative Unionism enjoying the opportunity to use emotive arguments to inflame division and thus destroy any progressive ideas emanating from Unionism.Until we recognize that maintaining the Union means making Northern Ireland work we our consigning our children to under-achievement,poverty and crime in a stagnant economy and especially in the deprived loyalist communities.It is only the UUP that has worked and delivered that can make Northern Ireland work within the Union.

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has taken his campaign to highlight the problems facing the dairy industry in Northern Ireland to the European Commission today where Mr Nicholson met with the EU agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel in Strasbourg.

Mr Nicholson was accompanied to the meeting by Conservative Agriculture Spokesperson in the European Parliament, Neil Parish MEP, Scottish Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson and Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuiness.

Mr Nicholson urged the Commissioner to increase the export refunds for dairy products that were reduced by the European Commission in anticipation of a deal being struck at this summer’s crunch World Trade Organisation talks. The substantial cut in export refunds caused dairy farmers and processors to incur significant losses.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Nicholson said,

“We had a very useful and constructive meeting with the Commissioner who agreed with me that there is a great disparity in the price being received by dairy farmers throughout the EU with the UK being the worst. Our farmers receive over 11% less than the average price throughout the EU.

“I impressed upon the Commissioner that action was needed now to avoid a potential catastrophe in Northern Ireland’s dairy industry. There is a real need now, while negotiations at the WTO are stalled, for the dairy industry to restructure and become more competitive in preparation for any future agreement at the WTO talks.

“Agriculture has become the sticky point in the negotiations but I believe, to a large extent, that a deal is inevitable in the medium to long term and we all know that it is Northern Ireland’s farmers who will feel the pain the most.

“I am disappointed because I am not convinced that the full extent of the problems facing our dairy sector are realised and understood in Brussels. While there is a possibility that some co financing of support for restructuring the industry may be available from Europe, it will have to be led by the UK Government.

“Nevertheless I am committed to doing all I can to raise awareness of the problems facing the Province’s dairy sector and will continue to raise awareness and gain support from other areas of Europe.”

Ulster Unionists have launched ‘North South Watch’ – a regular monitor of developments which shines a light on what has been “gradual mission creep” of North South Bodies in recent months.

The Party has asked South Antrim MLA Jim Wilson to join Esmond Birnie’s team to oversee the initiative and updates of this work will soon be available on the UUP website (www.uup.org).

A comprehensive report has been compiled detailing some of the more worrying aspects of North Southery. For example:

In December 19 2005, the Northern Ireland Office announced an extension of terms of appointment to North/South Body boards (Foyle, Carlingford & Irish Lights Commission; North/South Language Body; Intertrade Ireland; The Food Safety Promotion Board and; Tourism Ireland.

On May 2nd 2006, a Joint Communiqué from the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference stated that matters under discussion were: security situation and continuing cooperation between PSNI and An Garda Siochána; a range of issues in relation to Policing, Parades, Loyalism, Inquiries (Hamill, Wright, Nelson, Finucane); human rights and equality; and North/South matters including the Northwest region, Northwest Gateway Initiative, Derry/Letterkenny Gateway and the 4 local council areas of Derry, Strabane, Limavady and Donegal.

On September 8 2006, Dermot Ahern told the British-Irish Association that “there will be a step change in North-South cooperation… We have agreed on this and are prepared to give practical expression to it.” He went on to say that “we will look at health, education and other public services in border areas and on an all-island basis.”

In a statement, South Antrim MLA Jim Wilson said: “We are greatly concerned that North South Bodies have gone into mission creep. Internal and external issues were supposed to exist as mutually dependent entities. If the Assembly falls, the North South element should also fall. But regrettably this has not been the case.

“Not only are the organisations formalised under the Belfast Agreement operating beyond a care and maintenance basis, but a substantial sub-strata of north-southery has evolved which is entirely independent and unreflective of the wishes of the people of Northern Ireland.

“Jeff Rooker in the House of Lords last July in reply to Lord Kilclooney, said: “If the noble Lord is concerned about discussions between the United Kingdom government and the government of the Republic, he will be more worried after 24th November because discussions will deepen.”

“That’s why the Ulster Unionist Party has created North South Watch. This gradual expansion of North Southery must be highlighted and challenged.”

“We will not allow the rights of the people of Northern Ireland, according to international norms, to be set aside by any government.”

“Ulster Unionists will be keeping a close eye on North South developments in the coming weeks. We will not take our eye off the ball on this issue.”

Visit our new North/South Watch section