Posts filed under 'A Strong and Enduring Union'
revor Wilson Chairperson of the Ulster Unionist Councillors Association has accused the DUP of losing their bottle in agreeing to a proposal for 11 Councils. Mr Wilson claimed that the DUP have struck an ill thought out deal with Sinn Fein in order to avoid council elections next year.
In a statement Mr. Wilson said,
“The DUP have lost their bottle over Council reform because they fear running elections next year against a resurgent Ulster Unionist Party and the emerging TUV. There is definitely concern within the DUP, brought on by the Dromore by-election and recent events, that they will be squeezed from both sides. However, the outcome of this is that Sinn Fein and the DUP have produced a last minute cobbled together compromise that will be detrimental to unionism in Belfast and the West and the functioning of local councils.
Equally they have lost the plot – the Ulster Unionists have consistently argued for 15 councils which mirror the current parliamentary boundaries. This is a common sense approach that people are familiar and comfortable with. This new proposal for 11 councils will only cause confusion amongst voters. Questions also remain over the nature of and extent of the powers that will be handed down to local councils; we believe in strong local councils, there should not be change merely for change sake. Additional questions remain over the financial implications of this proposal. I believe that the DUP have made a decision based on fear and political expediency rather than what is in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland”.
Continue Reading E-mail March 14th, 2008
Alex Benjamin
The Chairman of the Ulster Unionist Councillors Association Trevor Wilson today welcomed Dromore by-election victor Carol Black to the fold.
Mr Wilson said her victory had given the Party a great boost and that it showed that despite what the detractors in the DUP and the media had predicted, the UUP was still very much a force to be reckoned with.
In a statement Mr Wilson said,
“I am delighted to welcome Carol to the fold as an Ulster Unionist Councillor. Her victory has been a great boost to the Party and I have been getting calls from up and down the country from fellow Councillors expressing their congratulations and best wishes.
Our detractors in the DUP had arrogantly predicted a wash out victory for themselves, aided and abetted in no small measure by a largely subservient media. How wrong they were! This victory for the UUP underlines what we believe to be true. That we remain a force to be reckoned with in Northern Ireland and that over the next months and years the people of Northern Ireland will witness a resurgent Ulster Unionist Party.”
Continue Reading E-mail February 15th, 2008
Alex Benjamin
I know only too well the dangers of over-exaggerating a situation. That said, the Ulster Unionist Party has every reason to allow itself a moment of triumph in the wake of our victory in the Dromore by-election.
Our victory was all the more enjoyable because so many of our political opponents—along with most of the media—assumed that we couldn’t win.
We proved a lot of people wrong on Wednesday. More important, though, we have discovered a new sense of confidence in ourselves. Right the way through the election campaign we had large and enthusiastic groups of people on our canvassing teams. These were ordinary party members who wanted to prove that the Ulster Unionist Party is proud of its legacy and proud of what we have done for Northern Ireland.
The result vindicates their enthusiasm and determination. And the sheer numbers of people who have contacted our Headquarters and elected representatives since the result became known, demonstrates that a very large audience appreciates our success.
But we will not be sitting upon our laurels and taking a complacent view of events. The Party has reached the end of a Review process which I initiated last summer. We have looked at every aspect of how we operate and have put in place a series of Standing Orders and Rules to ensure that we are seen to be effective, efficient and relevant.
Dromore has proved that we still have a solid electoral base—even in Jeffrey Donaldson’s own backyard! As we roll out the new structures I am certain that we can extend that electoral base, as increasing numbers of people come to realise that the Ulster Unionist Party is very firmly back on its feet and very obviously back in business.
Continue Reading E-mail February 15th, 2008
Alex Benjamin
Speaking after the UUP’s candidate, Carol Black, won the by-election to Banbridge Council, Sir Reg Empey commented:
“This really is a “Black” day for the DUP. They had forced a by-election (which has cost local ratepayers thousands of pounds) when they refused to agree with us on co-opting a candidate; and they forced the by-election because they believed that they could see off both the UUP and the TUV. They saw off neither.”
“The DUP can no longer claim to be the majority voice of unionism. In Jeffrey Donaldson’s own backyard their vote plunged from almost 50% to less than 30%.”
“I congratulate Carol on her stunning victory. She is a new voice and a new face in politics and she confounded the critics by proving that a local woman campaigning on local issues can rise above the score-settling tit-for-tat that was the hallmark of the DUP-TUV showdown.”
“I congratulate my party colleagues and supporters who came out in large numbers to bolster Carol’s campaign. I joined them on a number of occasions. They were enthusiastic and confident. They wanted to prove that the Ulster Unionist Party was back on its feet and back in business. This result is a tribute to our collective efforts.”
“I also want to thank the electorate; those who gave their first preference choice to Carol, and those who gave her a preference at a later stage. This result is a considerable improvement on our performance in March 2007: another clear sign that voters are taking us seriously again.”
“Finally, can I say this to the media in general? The UUP was virtually ignored during the election; we were assumed to be incapable of winning a seat. We have proved your predictions and analysis to be inaccurate. The Ulster Unionist Party has weathered the political storm. We are still here and we are back in business.”
Continue Reading E-mail February 14th, 2008
Alex Benjamin
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.”
Continue Reading E-mail January 29th, 2008
Alex Benjamin
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has noted that the Christmas Cards on sale on the Sinn Fein website appear to be a manipulation of a Coca-cola image that includes the famous Coca-cola Santa Claus image so often seen on television.
Mr Elliott said: “At this time of the year Coca-cola adverts are amongst the most watched on television and visible on billboards in the United Kingdom. The vast majority of people instantly recognise the famous image of the Santa Claus with a bottle of Coca-cola close by. It is associated by everyone with happy emotions such as ‘joy’ and ‘surprise’. So for Sinn Fein to so openly manipulate this image simply to promote political idealism just isn’t on. I wonder what Coca-cola think about this abuse of their famous image?”
The Sinn Fein Christmas cards show Santa Claus in a green outfit instead of red and what appears to be copy of the 1916 Easter Rising Proclamation above the fireplace. Furthermore, the original Coca-cola message that Santa Claus is reading in a letter on the fireplace is changed from “Dear Santa, Please pause here” to “Dear Santa, Please free my country.” Mr Elliott calls on Sinn Fein to remove the Christmas card and allow the image to retain its decency.
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA went on to say: “This famous image of the Coca-cola Santa Claus is for everyone. What Sinn Fein have done is changed it to ‘tar’ the image for anybody outside of themselves that has the misfortune to see it. I call upon them to remove it from their website and allow the image to retain the feelings of the ‘magic of Christmas’ and festivity that it is intended to be associated with. I will be getting in contact with Coca-cola to notify them of the manipulation of the image. It will be up to them if any action is taken.
“I know that Santa Claus will have seen Sinn Fein’s actions and I would suggest that for their simple cheek they deserve nothing but Coal. One thing is for sure, they won’t be getting a United Ireland.”
Continue Reading E-mail December 12th, 2007
Tom Elliott MLA
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey today called on the First and Deputy First Ministers to convene a meeting of Party Leaders to discuss the critical issues of the forthcoming economic conference, the Budget/Programme for government, and operation of the Executive. Sir Reg said only a united front would maximise potential investment. In a statement Sir Reg said,
“Northern Ireland has a window of opportunity lasting for the next six months, to secure meaningful investment from US based companies. After the Economic Conference in May 2008, US attention will switch to the Presidential election next November and the economic consequences for the US domestic economy. The Ulster Unionist Party wants the economic conference to succeed and deliver real and tangible investment. My own Department of Employment and Learning will be central to help deliver the skilled personnel investors will need, so I have every reason to work for a successful outcome.
This atmosphere will not come about naturally however, as recent events have demonstrated. The Executive must be a real coalition between parties and not just a collection of individuals there as of right. If some parties resort to riding roughshod over other parties then it is not a proper coalition in any meaningful sense of the word. Leaving aside the row over Margaret Ritchie’s decisions on the CTI money, the developments of last week, when Sinn Fein decided to ignore the Executive and press ahead with a statement on education from Caitriona Ruane, illustrates the double standard that the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP were referring to in October. There is clearly one law within the Executive for Sinn Fein and another for the SDLP.
The next few months may well be the last chance for Northern Ireland to achieve the economic kick start that we so obviously need, given that the so called economic package from London has failed to materialise. While we await the outcome of the Varney Report and the outworking of the EU taskforce on Northern Ireland, it seems to me that the spring economic conference takes on even more importance.
I repeat my call to the First and Deputy First Ministers to start a process of consolidating the Assembly by convening a meeting of the Party Leaders to discuss the critical issues of the economic conference, the Budget/Programme for government, and operation of the Executive.
The presentation of a ‘united front’ by the Assembly next spring would be an excellent background against which to attract and persuade potential investors that Northern Ireland really does have the skills and business friendly environment to maximise their investment.”
Continue Reading E-mail December 10th, 2007
Sir Reg Empey MLA
Ulster Unionist Party Chief Whip David McNarry today said Peter Robinson’s threats about no government if no unanimous agreement on the programme for government and draft budget showed his desire to make the Assembly into a soviet style congress.
In a statement Mr McNarry said,
“Mr. Robinson obviously has a desire to turn the Northern Ireland Assembly into a soviet-style congress that merely nods its head, asks no questions and is forbidden from opposing any Executive measures. The Ulster Unionist Party wants a Northern Ireland Assembly based on the values of British parliamentary democracy – in which there is robust debate and scrutiny, in which the Executive is held to account.
Peter Robinson’s intemperate outburst last night, during which he threatened to collapse devolution, is further evidence of the DUP-Sinn Fein control-freakery that is undermining the role of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Scrutinising the Draft Budget and the Draft Programme for Government is the duty of MLAs. During yesterday’s proceedings, both UUP and SDLP MLAs felt duty-bound to express their opposition to aspects of Peter Robinson’s Draft Budget. In any normal political context such scrutiny, questioning and opposition is accepted as part and parcel of the parliamentary process. But what does Peter Robinson do? Loses his temper and hits out at the people of Northern Ireland by threatening to collapse devolution.
“It is time for the Finance Minister to calm down. He is well aware that his party and his colleagues in Sinn Fein have enough votes within the Assembly to ensure that his Draft Budget and Draft Programme for Government are passed. The Ulster Unionist Party in the Assembly will continue to scrutinize, question and – where necessary – oppose the Draft Budget.”
Continue Reading E-mail November 29th, 2007
David McNarry MLA
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey, in a no-nonsense statement, today re-iterated the status of both the Draft Budget and Draft Programme for Government, accused the principal parties of exhibiting signs of control freakery and said that the Coalition system at Stormont was not like any other comparable coalition and had a two party cabal that needed to be addressed.
In a statement today, Sir Reg said,
“We are currently engaged in a process where we are discussing drafts - I repeat drafts - of the programme for government and budget. It is an opportunity for MLAs and the general public to openly debate and offer alternative viewpoints. The threats from certain Ministers to attempt to stifle debate by threatening the collapse of the government if these matters are not agreed to their liking reeks of throwing all the toys out of the pram and is a dagger to the heart of the democratic process. MLAs and parties must have the right to discuss and debate these draft proposals.
We are now beginning to see signs of control freakery being exhibited. The UUP regrets Mr Robinson’s thinly veiled threats in his closing remarks yesterday. Mr Robinson implies that there is a four Party coalition at Stormont. The reality is much different. A coalition, by definition, is where the parties of government come together to agree an agenda for implementation. At no time since the 8th May have the leaders of the parties represented in the Executive met to discuss, let alone agree an agenda. The confidentiality requirement means Ministers are inhibited from sharing fully with their parties emerging proposals on policy.
Ulster Unionist Party Ministers have approached their portfolios in a genuine attempt to deliver the best possible service to the people of Northern Ireland and we believe strongly that the only way a coalition can work is by consensus between the parties. This is not the way things are going. On the one hand DUP and Sinn Fein Ministers want to be fireproofed and blameless on sensitive and contentious issues such as health cuts and water charges by insisting on unanimity, while on the other they are getting into a two party cabal and deciding what they want and how to do it. This is a fundamental inconsistency that needs to be addressed. The UUP are currently exploring options of how to address it.”
Continue Reading E-mail November 27th, 2007
Sir Reg Empey MLA
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy said he was disappointed at the DUPs reaction to a UUP motion aimed at strengthening and reinforcing ties between Edinburgh, Cardiff, London and Belfast.
In a statement Mr Kennedy said,
“It is disappointing, to say the least, that the DUP has responded negatively to my Party’s motion on a Royal Commission to strengthen the Union. Since 1998, the Constitution of the United Kingdom has experienced quite unprecedented reform through the creation of devolved institutions in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Nearly a decade on, it is surely reasonable to ask for a Royal Commission to review how the devolved administrations are working with Westminster as the sovereign Parliament.
“While there are nationalist minorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, each of these regions have unionist majorities – with little evidence that this is likely to change. I am, therefore, at a loss to know why Sammy Wilson has talked up the chances of nationalism winning a referendum in Northern Ireland when such a prospect belongs to the realm of political fantasy. I trust that, despite the somewhat ill-tempered nature of its initial response, the DUP is not seriously suggesting that it will vote against a motion aimed at strengthening the relationship between Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London.
“The purpose of a Royal Commission on the Union is to ensure that devolution does what was promised – strengthen the bonds of co-operation and common purpose between the regions of the United Kingdom. While nationalists throughout the Kingdom obviously have a different aspiration, the Belfast Agreement declares that the wish of the people of Northern Ireland ‘freely exercised and legitimate, is to maintain the Union’. Our motion seeks to ensure that the devolved arrangements throughout the United Kingdom and their relationship with the Westminster Parliament reflect that democratic choice”.
Continue Reading E-mail November 22nd, 2007
Danny Kennedy MLA
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