UUP Leader asks Scotland to consider benefits of the Union on 300th Anniversary
On the 300th Anniversary of the Scottish Act of Union Ulster Unionist Party Leader and Minister Designate Sir Reg Empey today urged Scotland’s politicians to develop partnerships with Belfast and Cardiff and promote common interests within the United Kingdom and within the Union.
In a statement Sir Reg said,
“For many years, Scotland’s voters, like us in Northern Ireland, were deprived of a local government that stood up for the interests of Scotland. But now the people of Scotland have their own Parliament which has bedded down and is working.
The Scottish Assembly has been a success story – bringing accountable, local decision making closer to the people of Scotland. The Scots, like the Northern Irish and Welsh have a unique identity and culture. Yet we share much in common as integral and vital parts of the Union, and where we speak with a collective tongue, instead of separate voices, we represent a powerful bloc.
Working in partnership together, exchanging ideas and sharing experiences we can promote our common interests and strengthen our economies. Building partnerships that strengthen the Union means that we can make Westminster work for us.
The Union gives us Northern Irish, Scots and Welsh strength in numbers and strength of collective influence. We are proud nations, proud of who we are and where we come from. Together, in the Union, we can build upon that pride and, with our devolved Institutions, become the best that we can become.”