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New Leader Designate & Deputy Leader Designate elected

Following the results of yesterday’s leadership election, Edwin Poots MLA was elected Party Leader Designate and Paula Bradley MLA as Deputy Leader Designate.

Both spoke following their election. You can view the Leader Designate’s comments here and the Deputy Leader Designate’s comments here.

The new Leader Designate also addressed the media at Stormont. You can watch his press conference below.

Also this week

Party Leader Designate and Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots marked Northern Ireland’s centenary with a tree planting event.
- Visited Stream Energy’s biogass plant near Ballymena.
- Announced the opening of the 2021/22 NI Regional Food Programme.
- Commented on the Climate Change Bill.
- Inspected £43million expansion plans for CAFRE.
- Announced a £10million investment in new beef facilities at AFBI and CAFRE
- Met with local community groups who have benefitted from the Rural Grants Scheme.
- Highlighted the £4million support recieved by Community and Voluntary groups from DAERA during the Covid-19 pandemic.

First Minister Arlene Foster took part in an online event for the Chief Executive’s Club at Queen’s University calling for better policing of social media.
- Held discussions with the Prime Minister on Covid recovery and the NI Protocol.
- Announced the latest relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions agreed by the Executive.
- Commented on the first day of the Judicial Review into the Northern Ireland Protocol being taken alongside other prominent unionists.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds welcomed the launch of the ‘holiday at home’ tourism campaign.
- Highlighted plans for NI’s Centenary and the funding bids submitted by her Department.
- Launched a bold and ambitious vision for the Northern Ireland economy.
- Praised the work of the Irish Football Association in helping build the skills base of the local community.
- Announced a pilot project with NI’s higher education institutions to tackle period poverty.
- Said Northern Ireland’s film and television industry are thriving and delivering economic benefits.

Education Minister Peter Weir announced a £5 summer youth activity scheme to be rolled out during July and August.
- Launched a £13million fleet of new school buses.
- Welcomed the resumption of wider schools activities.

Lagan Valley MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson responded to the Government’s legislative plan announced through the Queen’s Speech.

East Belfast MLA Robin Newton described the Finance Minister’s refusal to plant a centenary rose in the grounds of Stormont as petty and backward.

Upper Bann MLA Carla Lockhart has written to the Health Ministers at Stormont and Westminster to support better pay for healthcare workers.
- Said progress was needed on the mandatory foritification of flour with folic acid.

Strangford MLA Michelle McIlveen called on the Infrastructure Minister to take control of the driving test backlog.

South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron announced the introduction of a new Private Members Bill to address the current autism crisis.