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Dear Letters Editor,

Regrettably,it is becoming clear that Northern Ireland has been left with a costly legacy following former Secretary of State Peter Hain’s blackmail strategy leading up to the devolution deal in May 2007 by the DUP and Sinn Fein. The fact that Hain was successful shows the weakened state of the Union under the DUP as the lead party in Unionism.

Hain’s legacy of draconian direct rule will impact our economy and disposable income; domestic rates are higher and water rates will be added over the next few years. With sharply higher food prices we are now also faced with a public spending squeeze, public sector job losses, a lower growth projection and no real strategy for enabling the private sector to grow. It may not be such a prosperous new year under the DUP /Sinn Fein carve up of power.

What happened to the DUP’s promised financial package as part of the negotiations leading to devolution in May? The recent pre-budget statement by the Chancellor allocates Northern Ireland a below inflation increase in the block grant, indicating a real terms decrease in spending. The recent Varney report has ruled out lower Corporation tax rates which were to supposed to kick start our private sector.

Rather than promoting similar corporation tax rates to the Irish republic and acquiescing to Sinn Fein’s all Ireland economic policy agenda we in Unionism must argue for lower Corporation Tax rates within the Union.

With the failure of DUP to secure a financial package and lower corporation tax rates we in Unionism should now be promoting the main principles upon which Unionism and Northern Ireland was founded; parity within the UK, freedom of the individual and promotion of a market economy free from the shackles of state control and public sector domination and its ‘crowding out ‘of the private sector .

Unionism must engage with our partners in the Union, promote the principles underlying the Union, contribute to it and ensure that it not only survives, but also thrives.

Yours faithfully
Johnny Andrews
Party Officer
Ulster Unionist Party

Ulster Unionist Parades spokesman Michael Copeland has described the latest fiasco surrounding the seriously wounded Parades Commission as resembling something from an episode of ‘Yes Minister’.

In a statement Mr Copeland said,

“Were the situation not so serious it would be laughable. The recent announcement by the Law Lords which ruled the appointments of Mr MacKay and Mr Burrows illegal must surely call into question the legality of any decision taken by the Parades Commission during their tenure.

I have written to the Parades Commission asking several questions.

The number of meetings at which Mr MacKay and Mr Burrows were present?

The number of decisions taken while they were present which resulted in determinations being applied to Parades?

The number of prosecutions for alleged breaches of Parades Commission determinations arising from any such meetings?

The status of those remaining Commissioners who have publicly declared themselves as unavowedly and unashamedly republican must now come under the microscope of public scrutiny. We await with interest the findings of Lord Ashdown’s review which I hope will consign this Commission to the dustbin of History, where in my view, it properly belongs.”

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson today said a proposed EU ban on outdoor heaters was a step too far.

The European Parliament is expected to back a resolution today which calls on the European Commission to set a timetable for abolishing goods with low efficiency ratings. This would affect outdoor patio heaters, leading to a ban on pubs, restaurants, cafes and the general public from buying or using outdoor heaters for their customers or for home-use.

It is estimated that the move, if implemented, could cost the UK pub and restaurant industry upwards of £250 Million a year in lost trade.

In a statement today Mr Nicholson said,

“There is no doubt that we must all do our bit for the environment and to lower our overall carbon footprint but this is a step too far. Given our far from balmy climate in Northern Ireland Patio Heaters add value not only to family life and outdoors eating and entertaining, but also to the many customers in pubs, cafes or restaurants who want to eat, drink or have a cigarette outside.

This proposal is an own-initiative report by a Liberal Democrat MEP, which although carrying no legal weight, ramps up pressure on products such as patio heaters if it is supported.

We are all in favour of encouraging changes to our energy consumption and improving our emissions. We must however allow change to develop at a pace in line with new energy efficient products coming into the market so that proposals such as this do not adversely affect our economy or our comfort.”

Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader and Newry and Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy challenged the DUP Leadership to explain why they agreed to the co-option of a Sinn Fein Member of Armagh City and District when they had forced a by-election in the Dromore area of Banbridge and had refused the co-option of an Ulster Unionist member.

In a statement Mr Kennedy said,

“Ratepayers in the Banbridge area can see the utter hypocrisy of the socalled leading Unionist party agreeing to a cosy arrangement in one council area with Republicans while opposing a co-option with other Unionists in another Council area.

This is a massive double-standard and I call on the DUP Leadership to explain why this decision was made.

This move is indicative of the increasing cosy relationship between DUP and Sinn Fein not just at Stormont but also at local council level.”

Commenting on this morning’s announcement by Environment Minister Arlene Foster to refuse the planning application at the Giant’s Causeway put forward by developer Seymour Sweeney, Ulster Unionist North Down MLA Alan McFarland said,

“What a farce. After being ‘minded’ to grant this application at the tail end of last year, the Minister, given the acres of negative publicity surrounding the Causeway site and the whiff of sleaze surrounding the lobbying done on behalf of Mr Sweeney by her colleague and fellow Minister Ian Paisley Jnr. has now refused the application.

This whole saga surrounding the Causeway site and how the planning application was being dealt with has been a stain on the DUP for months now. It is therefore unsurprising that the Minister has decided to limit any further damage to her and her party by refusing the application. After months of courting it appears that the DUP have left Sweeney on his tod.”

Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA and Member of the OFM/DFM Committee Tom Elliott today outlined the UUP position on the Programme for Government.

Mr Elliott said the Party was seeking support for an amendment which calls on the Executive to ensure ongoing review of the Programme for Government and subsequent necessary revision. He said this was vital to ensure proper levels of democratic accountability.

In a statement Mr Elliott said,

“The Ulster Unionist Party is seeking to ensure that proper democratic accountability exists within the framework of the Programme for Government. In simple terms this means that Executive Ministers will have to report back on implementation and delivery.

There are as many flaws in the Programme for Government as there are benefits and MLAs need to be in a position to hold Ministers to account, push for change and ensure that the Programme is delivered as efficiently as possible.

We will support the Programme for Government on the basis that we need one in order to move things forward in Northern Ireland. We will support the Programme for Government with the caveat that the Ulster Unionist Party is not behoven to it lock, stock and two smoking barrels, but that it is a work in progress, responsive, subject to change if needs be, and fully open to democratic scrutiny by the Assembly.”

Ulster Unionist Deputy Party Leader and Chairman of the OFM/DFM Committee Danny Kennedy today welcomed the increased spending outlined by the First and Deputy First Minister on Victims support but expressed concern at the on-going fudging of the definition of what a victim is and how the announcement was leaked.

In a statement Mr Kennedy said,

“While we welcome the commitment to increase spending on victims support by some 100% and welcome the long overdue appointment of the new Commissioners, we do however feel that there has been fudging of the issue.

The fact that there are 4 Commissioners is indicative of the schism that exists in OFM/DFM on victims issues. It is notable today that the First and deputy First Minister refused to be drawn on the very definition of what constitutes a victim. This is an issue that cannot and must not be fudged. There can be no moral equivalence between the forces of law and order and terrorists.

I have registered my concern at the manner in which the announcement was brought into the public domain. I believe it was unsatisfactory that it was leaked to the press. This leaking did a disservice to victims and was disrespectful to the Assembly.”

Ulster Unionist Representative and former Serviceman Alderman Michael Copeland today welcomed verbal confirmation from the Ministry of Defence that Northern Ireland Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will qualify for the £140 rebate paid to their colleagues on the mainland as a tax-free rebate against the Council Tax.

In a statement Alderman Copeland said,

“The confusion arose due to a response from the Ministry of Defence which indicated that the rebate would be paid to set against Council Tax bills. Soldiers from Northern Ireland do not pay Council Tax and until today’s comment from the Ministry of Defence, this was not taken into account.

I’m now seeking clarification that this rebate will also be available to those who rent public sector housing in Northern Ireland and who consequently are not furnished with separate rates bills.”

Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader and Chairman of the OFM/DFM Committee Danny Kennedy described as unsatisfactory the nature of the leaking of the names of the 4 appointments to the office of Victims Commissioner today.

In a statement Mr Kennedy said,

“I see the nature of the leaking of this announcement today as very unsatisfactory. As Chairman of the OFM/DFM Committee I should have had courtesy of being told and should have been contacted.

The appointment of 4 Commissioners indicates clear political deadlock and amounts to ‘government by committee’. Due to the manner in which this announcement was leaked people will now be scrutinising the individuals named to identify political allegiances. This is a bad start to their term of appointment. The fact that there are 4 Commissioners also indicates a clear carve up between the DUP and Sinn Fein.”

Dear Letters Editor,
It is with a genuine sense of outrage that I write to you regarding the disgraceful comments made by Nigel Dodds personal advisor Wallace Thompson regarding the Pope and other symbols of Catholicism. I would hope that his boss does not share such intolerant views and look forward to an official response from the Minister in this regard. In addition to being a direct, unprovoked attack on the millions of Catholics that live and work in the United Kingdom it is actually profoundly anti British. Would Mr Wallace like us to live in such an intolerant society were we demonise each others deeply respected religious leaders and symbols and to say that the he would “oppose plans to bring him to Northern Ireland” which would have massive tourist and economic spin offs beggars belief. Are we to oppose everyone but our own leaders just because they are not beliefs we share ourselves. Assuming that Mr Dodd’s disagrees with these sectarian comments it calls into question the process of recruiting to these high profile posts and makes his personal advisors job completely untenable. How can he help promote Northern Ireland as a great place to invest in to the millions of Catholic countries around the world when he has such intolerant views of their leader? What damage have these comments had within the Republic of Ireland marketplace in terms of our Tourism? As Unionists we should celebrate the rich cultural and social diversity that makes up the tapestry of our Kingdom and respect the very ingredients that makes Britain great. I can assure the Catholic population of Northern Ireland that these bigoted views are not shared by the over whelming majority of your fellow citizens and I hope that you realise that this is not the type of Pro Union Northern Ireland that we are trying to promote to you all. I trust the DUP leadership and the minister will issue you all with an equally strong condemnation of their Special advisor and take steps to ensure that those recruited to positions of promoting Northern Ireland to the world are not from the extreme end of any religious denomination.

Cllr Mark Cosgrove
UUP Spkesperson on Trade and Tourism