Parliament returns on Monday and our DUP MPs will be back in London to make the case for Northern Ireland.
The newly elected Labour Government has a massive majority and I won’t pretend that it will be easy to try and influence decisions. We were elected to speak up for the people of Northern Ireland and that is what we will do.
At the General Election on 4th July, we set out our commitment to you by;
· Promoting the case for the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
· Putting the people of Northern Ireland first, by working with other parties in Parliament to ensure that Northern Ireland’s case is always spotlighted, particularly focusing on the just cause of a long-term fair and equitable funding model for Northern Ireland’s needs;
· Sending a strong message to the new Government that, building on the progress to date, we will continue to fight to fully restore Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom, including removing the application of EU law in our country and the internal border it creates;
· Campaigning to ensure Northern Ireland is fully protected in law against illegal immigration and that Northern Ireland is part of a UK-wide immigration policy that works;
· Delivering a dedicated constituency advice service to the public where you can be sure that the issues that matter to you will be championed and help provided when you need it.
Whilst we secured victory in five constituencies, we suffered a difficult night at the election and we must learn the lessons. I want to thank all our voters, our candidates and their families, our members and our wider support network for their mighty efforts and sacrifice during the election campaign. We are servants of the people and we must listen to what they have to say. Our party has prided itself on being on the ground and delivering, and in the coming months we will be engaging with our communities in every part of Northern Ireland as part of a new approach under my leadership.
Our DUP MLAs and Ministers will be fully focused on the everyday issues and challenges that are impacting Northern Ireland. It will be difficult to secure additional resources for Northern Ireland and we will need to work with other parties in the Executive to deliver needed improvements particularly in education, and health. I know that there are real pressures on household budgets and we must be able to tackle waste and achieve greater efficiencies in Government as opposed to simply asking hard-pressed householders to pay more whilst not seeing better outcomes. In such a financial climate there is no room for wasteful spending.
I am totally opposed to the Prime Minister’s decision to axe the Winter Fuel Allowance. Our MPs will vote against that measure at the earliest opportunity in Parliament. As this is a national benefit and paid for centrally, Stormont does not have the money required to enable it to be paid in Northern Ireland. The DUP will press the UK Gov to provide more help to those pensioners who need it most on a UK wide basis.
The last number of weeks and months has brought about much change and we live in a changing world. However, the essence of public service and doing good remains the same and I look forward to that service as I embark as leader.
I look forward to seeing you at our conference in three weeks’ time where I will be using my first conference speech as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party to set out my vision for the future and our plan for delivery.
