Savage lodges constitutional motion for debate in the Assembly
Upper Bann Ulster Unionist Assembly Member, George Savage MLA today, in conjunction with fellow MLA’s Danny Kennedy, David McNarry and David Burnside lodged the following motion for debate in the Assembly,
That this Assembly believes, following devolution in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, that a Royal Commission should be appointed to review the steps that need to be taken to maintain the unity of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.
Speaking from Stormont, George said,
“It has come to my attention that Government in Westminster has tasked the Minister for Justice and Lord Chancellor, Jack Straw to consult with regard to a new written constitution in the United Kingdom. This raises a number of important issues for us here in Northern Ireland and that is why in our 2007 Election Manifesto, my Party called for a Royal Commission to be appointed”.
“It is deeply concerning that at the present time, every devolved government in the United Kingdom is headed by nationalists of some sort. In Wales, Plaid Cymru are in coalition with Labour, in Scotland the SNP are the minority government and in Northern Ireland, the Executive is an uneasy coalition of the Ulster Nationalists of the DUP and the Irish Nationalists of Sinn Fein.”
“for this very reason, we want to ensure the continuance of the Union because that lies at the very core of being a Unionist and that is one of the central aims of the Ulster Unionist Party – to promote, strengthen and maintain the Union. I am concerned that this proposed codified UK Constitution will lead to the beginning of a federalized United Kingdom. I am also keen to ensure that the position of Northern Ireland, her citizens and her interests are protected within this document.”
“We, here in Northern Ireland are an integral part of the United Kingdom and this motion which I have lodged today, to all intents and purposes, is concerned with the future constitutional make up of the United Kingdom”
“I look forward to the debate in the Assembly where it will be most interesting to see and hear the viewpoints of both the Irish and perhaps more importantly and interestingly, the Ulster Nationalists.”