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Tag: Comments

  • Diane Dodds – 2022 Comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

    Diane Dodds – 2022 Comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

    The comments made by Diane Dodds, the DUP MLA for Upper Bann, on 4 November 2022.

    Unionism is united in opposition to the Protocol and would have demonstrated such unity at the ballot box. We have a mandate for the action we have taken and would have happily renewed and strengthened our mandate had a December poll taken place.

    Both the Government and the EU have been aware of our consistent position regarding the sustainability of Stormont since February 2021 and successive Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State have squandered that time.

    Whilst the last two years have been fruitless, because of Brussels being in denial about the flawed Protocol, the Secretary of State should use this time wisely to ensure that the Protocol is replaced by arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.

    The Government need to deliver an outcome that unionists can support either through the NI Protocol Bill or through negotiations. But they must realise that there will be no return for fully functioning devolved government until the Protocol is dealt with.

    Political progress in Northern Ireland has been hard won but fundamentally it is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. London and Brussels must recognise that real progress can be made but never by one section of our people dominating another. That will never produce durable or balanced outcomes.

  • Caroline Lucas – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak and COP27

    Caroline Lucas – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak and COP27

    The comments made by Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, on Twitter on 7 November 2022.

    PM has no credibility when he urges others at #COP27 to keep Glasgow commitments when his own Govt hasn’t met finance pledges, hasn’t raised ambition of UK emission cuts, is continuing fossil fuel subsidies, won’t rule out new coal and is greenlighting more oil & gas #WalkTheTalk

  • Diane Forsythe – 2022 Comments on Windfall Tax on Energy Companies

    Diane Forsythe – 2022 Comments on Windfall Tax on Energy Companies

    The comments made by Diane Forsythe, the DUP MLA for South Down, on 3 November 2022.

    Energy generators are experiencing eyewatering bumper profits with some shareholder dividends rising by 15% yet some of those same companies have not had to pay a penny towards the windfall tax put in place in May. That is scandalous.

    The Government needs to put in place a proper windfall tax on the energy giants so it will then ease the tax burden on already hard-pressed households by helping them further with schemes such as Tax Free Childcare.

    Whilst the electricity cap has made a real tangible difference for householders this month, we now need the £400 energy payment also delivered in Northern Ireland. The previous Prime Minister was clear in her commitment that households in Northern Ireland would receive the £400 energy bill discount in November.

    The DUP is in Westminster fighting for Northern Ireland to get real help for working families, whether that be in their electric, gas or oil bills or with their childcare costs. Our MPs made a submission to Treasury last March pressing for help for households and proper taxes on the online and energy giants. It is now time for the Government to properly tax these giants.

  • Gregory Campbell – 2022 Comments on Sinn Fein and Democracy

    Gregory Campbell – 2022 Comments on Sinn Fein and Democracy

    The comments made by Gregory Campbell, the DUP MP for East Londonderry, on 2 November 2022.

    Over recent weeks Sinn Fein repeatedly called for the imposition of ‘joint authority’. Last week in the Dail, Mary Lou McDonald described it as the “only alternative” if there was not an agreement to form an Executive by the deadline.

    The Secretary of State eventually made a statement clarifying the matter but held off on an election date. Sinn Fein then went off message from everyone else actually calling for an election when every other Party and commentator in the Country was indicating the pointlessness of holding one now.

    Having remained silent on the issue last week, Michelle O’Neill is now talking about the “legal obligation to call an election”. democracy is never Sinn Fein’s first choice.

    An election won’t resolve the fundamental issues facing Northern Ireland. Only through dealing with the Northern Ireland Protocol can devolution be restored. If that happens then devolution can be restored on the basis of the Assembly election result.

    The opportunity was there for Sinn Fein and other parties to help avoid the current situation. Instead of acknowledging the issues caused by the Protocol they were demanding its rigorous implementation and blocking any discussions at the Executive table.

  • Jeffrey Donaldson – 2022 Comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

    Jeffrey Donaldson – 2022 Comments on the Northern Ireland Protocol

    The comments made by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the Leader of the DUP, on 1 November 2022.

    Political progress in Northern Ireland was hard won and is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. One section of our people dominating another will never produce durable or balanced outcomes. We warned of this in the House of Commons immediately after the Protocol was put in place.

    Not one single unionist MLA or MP supports the Protocol. We need a solid foundation for devolved government to flourish. One which can command the support of unionists as well as nationalists. There will be no basis for an Executive and Assembly until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements that restore Northern Ireland’s place in the U.K. internal market and our constitutional arrangements are respected.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Gang Violence in London

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Gang Violence in London

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 1 November 2022.

    The fact Black Londoners have less trust in the Met should concern us all. That is why the comprehensive overhaul of the Gang Violence Matrix is so important – increased scrutiny and transparency will help increase the degree of confidence all of London’s diverse communities can have in the Met.

    As a direct result of the police acting on the recommendations, the Matrix database is now more effective and more evidence-based than ever before.

    We know that gang-related violence still accounts for a significant proportion of the most serious crime in London and the Matrix is a necessary enforcement tool as well as a means to support and intervention, but it’s vitally important that the police continue to evaluate how it is used. It’s something the new Met Commissioner and I have committed to improving together in order to build a fairer and safer London for everyone.

  • Anneliese Dodds – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak’s Appointment of Gavin Williamson

    Anneliese Dodds – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak’s Appointment of Gavin Williamson

    The comments made by Anneliese Dodds, the Chair of the Labour Party, on Twitter on 6 November 2022.

    Rishi Sunak was warned about Gavin Williamson’s threatening texts and appointed him to the cabinet anyway. The very next day the new PM promised “integrity, professionalism and accountability”. They’re laughing at you – again.

  • Caoimhe Archibald – 2022 Comments on Energy Payments Support

    Caoimhe Archibald – 2022 Comments on Energy Payments Support

    The comments made by Caoimhe Archibald, the Sinn Fein’s economic spokesperson, on 1 November 2022.

    Back in May the former British Chancellor and now Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the £400 energy bill support scheme. Nearly six months later people here still don’t know when they will receive this support.

    Due to the DUP’s boycott of the Executive, workarounds have had to be found to deliver this support.

    Weeks ago the former DUP Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said the payment would be made in one lump sum in November.

    It now appears that may not be the case, with the utility regulator today saying a different approach is being considered by British ministers.

    People need to know when and how both the £400 energy bill support scheme payment and the £100 payment to households relying on oil, will be made.

    It is unacceptable that ordinary workers and families would be punished further for the DUP’s failure to show up for work.

  • Angela Rayner – 2022 Comments on Conduct of Gavin Williamson

    Angela Rayner – 2022 Comments on Conduct of Gavin Williamson

    The comments made by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, on Twitter on 5 November 2022.

    The latest episode of Whips at dawn reveals a toxic Tory culture. Yet another misjudged and irresponsible Rishi Sunak ministerial appointment. Anneliese Dodds and I demand answers on why Gavin Williamson has been allowed to resurface in Cabinet.

  • John McDonnell – 2022 Comments on Peoples Assembly March in London

    John McDonnell – 2022 Comments on Peoples Assembly March in London

    The comments made by John McDonnell, the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, on Twitter on 5 November 2022.

    Great turnout for Peoples Assembly march showing the determination & solidarity of the trade union and progressive movement to resist the Tories plans for another round of austerity and attack on trade union rights. Privilege to address the marchers in Trafalgar Square.