Latest releases
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13 releases
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Unionist Leaders and Inter-Trade UK Business Association urge the Secretary of State to stop EU Regulation 2026/2108 deepening the Irish Sea customs border
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA, TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP and ITUKBA chair Peter Summerton call on the Secretary of State to apply the Stormont Brake and halt EU Regulation 2026/2108, saying it deepens the Irish Sea customs border, adds bureaucracy and harms GB‑NI trade.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Unionist Leaders and Inter-Trade UK Business Association urge the Secretary of State to stop EU Regulation 2026/2108 deepening the Irish Sea customs borderArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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SDLP launches three-stage reform plan to end Stormont paralysis
SDLP Opposition launches its report Politics for the Common Good, calling for a three-stage reform of Stormont, including stopping a single party collapsing the Executive, introducing Joint First Ministers and relocating the Assembly to Belfast city centre.
Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP launches Stormont reform plan Original release: SDLP launches three-stage reform plan to end Stormont paralysisArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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SDLP Party Leader: Irish unity needs unified approach
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's moves towards structured preparation for Irish constitutional change, and has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris proposing a New Ireland Forum-style process.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Government parties' unity plans Original release: SDLP Party Leader: Irish unity needs unified approachArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Hanna welcomes Taoiseach’s New Ireland Commitment
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes the Taoiseach's recent remarks on Irish unity as an important step, and says her party will work with the Irish Government to translate that ambition into concrete preparation. She repeats the SDLP's call for a dedicated minister to drive the work.
Constitutional affairs Issue: British Prime Minister and Taoiseach commitment on cross-border employment issues Original release: Hanna welcomes Taoiseach’s New Ireland CommitmentArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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O’Toole: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political Petulance
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses the DUP of a petulant stunt and manufactured crisis while public services are left in limbo because the Executive has not agreed a Budget. He says the SDLP wants to build a new Ireland based on the common good.
Constitutional affairs Original release: O’Toole: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political PetulanceArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Swann welcomes Joint UK-EU Agreement on parcel fees ahead of Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes UK-EU decisions confirmed ahead of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on 10 November, under which 'not at risk' parcels moving to Northern Ireland consumers would avoid new EU handling fees. He says uncertainty remains over how the EU AI Act applies under the…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Swann welcomes Joint UK-EU Agreement on parcel fees ahead of Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
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Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland
UUP spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes the proposed UK-EU SPS agreement but says it does not cover customs or tariffs. He criticises Whitehall's handling of the Union Customs Code parcel handling fee and EU AI Act provisions in Northern Ireland, and calls for the Stormont Brake to be used.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern IrelandArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken welcomes the draft UK‑EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement on food checks, but warns that Northern Ireland will stay split from the rest of the UK on many regulations and that the new EU customs code will increase trade divergence.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from goneArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
Ul Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows says the DUP's choice to exclude Northern Ireland from tomorrow's Glasgow Economic Forum harms NI's economy and the Union, urging another executive minister— such as Health Minister Robbie Butler—to attend instead.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from Economic Forum in Glasgow Original release: You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
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Common sense prevails as Queen’s lifts Remembrance collarette ban
UUP Young Unionist chairman Jay Basra welcomes Queen's University Belfast's reversal of its restriction, allowing Orange Order members to wear collarettes at the 8 November Remembrance service. He thanks the Queen's Orange Society for raising the issue and urges the university to consult affected…
Community relations and legacy Education Original release: Common sense prevails as Queen’s lifts Remembrance collarette ban
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Queen’s urged to explain Remembrance collarette ban
Young Unionist chairman Jay Basra calls on Queen's University Belfast to explain its Remembrance Sunday Order of Service, which bars Orange collarettes at the 8 November service, noting such wear was previously allowed without issue.
Community relations and legacy Education Issue: Queen's University Belfast Remembrance Sunday service collarette ban Original release: Queen’s urged to explain Remembrance collarette ban
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Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
UUP peer Lord Empey says the recent Drumcree stand‑off has back‑fired on republicans, accusing Gerry Adams of strategic interference and Michelle O’Neill of unlawful action, and warns that sectarian attacks and rising immigration undermine a united Ireland vision.
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Garvaghy Road residents' protest against Orange Order march Original release: Drumcree proving to be a pyrrhic victory for republicans – Empey
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer amid energy cost pressures, saying school budgets are overstretched and schools are being left cold heading into winter.
Education Local government Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools