Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA has appealed to all political leaders to keep the Drumcree parade dispute confined to Portadown. He warned that calls from both sides to spread it across Northern Ireland are “absolute folly”.

Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly today, Jon Burrows said:

“The last couple of weeks in Northern Ireland have been toxic and polarising, both in our politics and for our communities.

“Many people are bewildered at the fire in the bellies of those who can raise real passion when discussing and debating crisis and confrontation. They don’t have the same passion when it comes to dealing with the intractable issues facing our communities: trying to secure an appointment with your GP, trying to get a place for your child at school, or businesses that cannot expand because we cannot fix our wastewater system.

“I would appeal to all the leaders, whatever our disagreements over Drumcree and how it has been handled, that we should all want to confine the parade dispute to that one. I have heard people on both sides saying ‘bring it on’ to expanding parade disputes right across Northern Ireland. That is absolute folly, both for everyone in Northern Ireland and for those who are actually part of the parading community.

“Unionism has to strategise its way through these issues, and that has got to mean looking beyond the next angry speech or confrontation.

“I would appeal to the PUL community, and particularly those who parade, from the Orange Order to our bands, not to succumb to the temptation to take part in unnotified processions.

“Some eminently reasonable people have rung me and asked, ‘Why should we do this if not complying with the law doesn’t have a consequence?’ I would appeal to them to do the right thing and obey the law.

“I would also say to them that I have seen the real-life consequences for people who do these things. They often come in to see you months or years later. By then they have a criminal record, their credit history has been affected, or they have been disciplined at work. Some can’t access work, or can’t go on a family holiday to America because of a conviction for doing something illegal.

“There has to be accountability for those who broke the law. But I would appeal to those in the unionist community: stay lawful, and allow us to deal with the political and legal accountability.

“I will be meeting the PPS and the Chief Constable to address the legitimate issues people have. But I would say to the unionist community: let us get back on the front foot in promoting Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom and the benefits it brings everyone in Northern Ireland. This is a fantastic place that punches above its weight in sport, that feeds the nation, and that excels in so many sectors.

“Let’s focus on making Northern Ireland work for everyone, and on bringing accountability for those who have done wrong in this particular issue. I appeal to everybody not to escalate a dispute in Portadown to other parades across Northern Ireland.”