Making a mess of the Maze

There are ongoing reports that some DUP Ministers have already decided to 'dump' the Maze Stadium project. I cannot confirm this. I do know, however, that the issue has been a source of internal dispute within the DUP since at least June 23 last year when Edwin Poots and Ian Paisley both voiced public support for the idea, while Nigel Dodds, Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell voiced public opposition.
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UK Government must ensure fair distribution of EU flood aid to Northern Ireland

The UK Government must ensure the £123 million payment from the EU Solidarity Fund, agreed by MEPs in Strasbourg on Tuesday, is distributed fairly around areas affected by last summer's floods Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said today.

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Beggs says working group's proposals on childhood criminality go too far

Roy Beggs MLA, Ulster Unionist Party spokesperson on Children's Issues, who sat on the Bill of Rights Forum's Children's Working Group, has voiced his objection to the proposed plan to raise the age of when a young person becomes responsible for their crimes to 16 or 18.

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Speech by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to UUP Party Conference

"Mr President, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Can I say a very big thank you to our panelists here this afternoon who have given us much to think about on the back of their own personal experiences with the National Health Service. To Brian, Patricia, Paula and Mary my sincere thanks and appreciation for giving up your time. [more]

True Principles of Unionism under Threat - Platform Piece by John Andrews

"At long last, after 35 years of assorted negotiations, we have a government with local Ministers representing us at all levels. We must congratulate Dr Paisley on taking the brave and unexpected step to a new era of co-operation in politics. In many respects the St Andrew's Agreement is indistinguishable from the 1998 original so heavily lambasted by the DUP. He may claim it's a better and fairer deal. I'm not so sure." [more]

Extracts from speech by UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey to Lurgan Ulster Unionists

Speaking to the North Lurgan Branch of Upper Bann UUP tonight, a sceptical UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey said he would approach talks with the DUP in good faith but cast doubt over the merits of the UUP subsuming into the DUP. Sir Reg said,

"Eoghan Harris raised a few eyebrows at the Reform Club last Friday, when he argued in favour of a merger between the UUP and DUP. Never let it be said that the UUP expects our guests to toe the line and say only what we want to hear! But he did raise some points that need to be addressed. The timing of the invitation from Nigel Dodds to the UUP's Officers, for talks with the DUP (an invitation that Eoghan regarded as an encouraging development) was interesting. [more]

The prospect of another Unionist Party is Deja-Vu, says Donaldson

Responding to increasing speculation that a new Unionist Party is to be formed to oppose the DUP and Sinn Fein'’s Power-Sharing arrangement, Kenny Donaldson, an Ulster Unionist Party Officer has stated:

Many Unionists of my parent's generation will feel a deep sense of deja-vu. The reality is that Unionism started internally dividing itself when the present First Minister, Dr Paisley and others decided they neither had the stomach, nor the political or civic responsibility to face up to the challenges of accommodating nationalism within an internal political settlement. 30 years later and the penny still hasn't dropped for some people. [more]

Text of Sir Reg Empey's Speech to the Annual General Meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, friends and colleagues, and thank you for coming today. I am grateful to you all for taking time away from your home and family, not simply to make your views known, but also to demonstrate your continuing loyalty to the Ulster Unionist Party. And thank you, too, for once again entrusting me with the highest honour that this Council can bestow - that of leading the party. [more]

Platform Piece on Victims Issues by Derek Hussey

This week has marked the eighth anniversary of the Omagh bomb - one of the most horrific days in the history of Northern Ireland. The geography of Northern Ireland bears witness to the depth and extent of conflict. Names that ought simply to map out locality instead catalogue atrocity - places like Omagh; Enniskillen; Darkley; Greysteel. Communities have experienced tragedy throughout Northern Ireland. Many of these communities still experience a collective legacy of pain and suffering which society must deal with. [more]