Latest releases
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31 releases
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Armstrong: We are heading somewhere ugly
UUP Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong MLA urges a shift in how politics is conducted, warning that abuse of elected representatives has sharply worsened in recent weeks. She cites a female MP given police protection over her community role, and threats against a Minister, and says public figures now…
Justice and policing Original release: Armstrong: We are heading somewhere ugly (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Aiken warns of long and frustrating winter as EU-UK reset delayed again
UUP Windsor Framework spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken MLA warns that repeated delays to EU-UK reset talks, with the timetable slipping from July to October and now late November, leave agribusiness and manufacturing firms without needed certainty.
Education Economy and employment Issue: EU-UK reset talks timetable delayed again to late November Original release: Aiken warns of long and frustrating winter as EU-UK reset delayed again (opens in a new tab)
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Brain drain and vocational pathways matter more than the transfer test row, says Burrows
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA calls for the education debate to shift from the transfer test to tackling brain drain and creating properly funded vocational pathways into apprenticeships, while defending parents' right to choose a child's school.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Brain drain and vocational pathways matter more than the transfer test row, says Burrows (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows: More money must come with greater responsibility
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA urges the Assembly's final session of this mandate to focus on quality over volume, passing fewer, better Bills with proper committee scrutiny, and calls for any extra budget funding to come with wiser spending and waste reduction.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Original release: Burrows: More money must come with greater responsibility (opens in a new tab)
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Burnham's first 50 days will show whether Northern Ireland sits at the top of his in-tray or the bottom
Ulster Unionist South Antrim MP Robin Swann says Andy Burnham’s first 50 days, especially his Treasury, Northern Ireland Office and Defence appointments, will shape Northern Ireland’s financial settlement, executive reform and forthcoming legislation, and urges MPs to scrutinise his agenda.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Andy Burnham becoming British Prime Minister Original release: Burnham's first 50 days will show whether Northern Ireland sits at the top of his in-tray or the bottom (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP speech Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP, speaking at a future of these islands event, argues political leaders must shape change rather than react to it and says the SDLP wants a New and agreed Ireland. She calls for cross-party working and principles to plan for a New Ireland, and invites unionist…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: SDLP "Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change" event at The MAC Original release: SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP speech Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party Leader speaks with Taoiseach Michael Martin
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA says he spoke by phone with Taoiseach Michael Martin, his first engagement since becoming leader, and raised legacy, the Windsor Framework and explosive material taken by the Provisional IRA from a Republic of Ireland factory.
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Original release: Ulster Unionist Party Leader speaks with Taoiseach Michael Martin (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland must ‘be at the table’: Burrows concludes high impact Washington trip
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA hails his recent Washington DC trip as a chance to promote Northern Ireland's skilled workforce, tourism, investment and strategic partnership with the US, citing meetings with business groups and Invest NI.
International affairs Economy and employment Original release: Northern Ireland must ‘be at the table’: Burrows concludes high impact Washington trip (opens in a new tab)
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The Historical Inevitability of the Union
UUP writes that Irish unity is not inevitable, arguing that polling and the 2024 Westminster vote show Northern Ireland's place in the UK is more likely to endure, and calls on unionists to promote the Union to non-unionist voters.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: The Historical Inevitability of the Union (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader’s New Year Message
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says attention must return to Northern Ireland's challenges in 2026, criticising Executive infighting and unmet promises in 2025 and calling on the Executive to deliver for people. The release also urges the UK and Irish Governments to begin preparation ahead of any…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: SDLP Leader’s New Year Message (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister: Small steps can make a big difference this winter
The Department of Health, speaking through Health Minister Mike Nesbitt during National Self-Care Week, urges the public to manage their physical health and mental wellbeing this winter, check on older neighbours, and use community pharmacies via the Pharmacy First service for minor illnesses.
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Opportunity for peace shouldn’t be overlooked – Beattie
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA says the Middle East conflict must be ended and urges backing the 21-point plan, which he says sets out a route to a ceasefire, hostage and prisoner releases, aid, and a stabilisation force for Gaza. He also flags risks including Hamas's response and…
International affairs Original release: Opportunity for peace shouldn’t be overlooked – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Restoring hope: A case for Northern Ireland’s future in the United Kingdom - Mike Nesbitt, Ulster Unionist Party Leader
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt argues Northern Ireland is better served remaining in the United Kingdom, citing the 1998 Belfast Agreement's protection of its constitutional status and claiming Brexit shows constitutional change can be destabilising. He also challenges 'pure Brits and pure Gaels'…
Constitutional affairs Original release: Restoring hope: A case for Northern Ireland’s future in the United Kingdom - Mike Nesbitt, Ulster Unionist Party Leader (opens in a new tab)
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Unique Chance to Make Northern Ireland Work – Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt MLA says every major party now wants to make Northern Ireland work, citing a speech at St Mary's University College on a "Prosperity Agenda" and arguing that power-sharing is the only way forward.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Unique Chance to Make Northern Ireland Work – Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: British politics on a different trajectory
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says British politics is moving in a dark direction after Reform's election gains, arguing this structural shift makes Northern Ireland's future a serious concern and that Anglo-Irish relations cannot be relied upon. She also argues Labour has moved towards a more…
Constitutional affairs Original release: Hanna: British politics on a different trajectory (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler
Ulster Unionist spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says farmers must not bear the cost of climate action, calling for codesigned measures after recent changes to create a Climate Commissioner office raised concerns. He says the changes should not pit environmental goals against agriculture.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader's New Year Message
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says 2025 must deliver for families in Northern Ireland, urging the Executive to move beyond vague proposals and use its powers to improve people's lives, particularly on health waiting lists, special educational needs and housing.
Constitutional affairs Original release: SDLP Leader's New Year Message (opens in a new tab)
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New Year Message from Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, now Health Minister, uses his New Year message to call for change in health and social care and for every Executive party to commit to never collapsing the institutions again.
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Statement from Doug Beattie MC MLA
Doug Beattie MLA announces his resignation as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and says he will not seek re-election as leader. He calls on the next leader to modernise the party with a moderate, inclusive, pro-union message and pledges his full support.
Other Original release: Statement from Doug Beattie MC MLA (opens in a new tab)
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A Statement from Doug Beattie MC MLA
UUP leader Doug Beattie MC MLA says he will stand down as party leader, citing irreconcilable differences with party officers, after the recent general election returned the Ulster Unionist Party to Westminster and secured a seat in the House of Lords.
Other Original release: A Statement from Doug Beattie MC MLA (opens in a new tab)