Statements similar to “You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty”
From every party, ranked by similarity of meaning. Only other parties · Back to the release
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DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland says the DUP’s attempt to block the Executive from joining a UK‑wide Economic Forum is a cynical stunt that harms families, public‑sector workers and the economy, and calls for an agreed budget and fair pay.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: DUP putting cynical party politics ahead of people’s livelihoods, says Tennyson
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O’Toole: People Deserve a Future Beyond Political Petulance
SDLP Leader Matthew O'Toole says people deserve a future beyond political petulance and calls for a new Ireland with hope and opportunity for all.
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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Unionist Unity and ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ don’t go together
TUV leader Jim Allister says the slogan ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ cannot be cloaked in unionist unity, criticising the DUP’s alignment with Carla Lockhart on Drumcree and warning that unity should not support Sinn Fein or the Protocol. He calls for genuine unity that advances unionist principles.
Constitutional affairs Issue: DUP's unionist unity message with Sinn Fein Original release: Unionist Unity and ‘O’Neill Must Stay’ don’t go together
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Burrows: ‘I’ll take no lectures from Sinn Féin on democracy, on equality or on the past’
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA says he will not accept Sinn Féin’s accusations of supremacism, rejects their right to lecture on democracy, equality or the past, and criticises their government record after North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan’s scripted attack in the Assembly.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Philip McGuigan's Assembly speech accusing Jon Burrows MLA of supremacist attitude Original release: Burrows: ‘I’ll take no lectures from Sinn Féin on democracy, on equality or on the past’
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Ireland’s Future Cannot Be Built On Ireland’s Past
People Before Profit says a united Ireland needs a border poll without delay and must be a radically different, socialist state rather than a continuation of the two existing states, citing housing, childcare, health waiting lists and tax havens.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Ireland’s Future Cannot Be Built On Ireland’s Past
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The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
The party criticises the Department for the Economy's handling of Ulster University's funding, putting 450 jobs at risk. The party Leader, Mal O'Hara, calls for Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain her plan for higher education in Northern Ireland.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University job cuts announcement Original release: The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
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Gerry Carroll MLA On The News That Catholics Outnumber Protestants In The North
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll responds to reports that Catholics now outnumber Protestants in the North, calling it a historical milestone but arguing it will not by itself bring substantive change. He calls for a united Ireland built on socialist, working-class foundations.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Gerry Carroll MLA On The News That Catholics Outnumber Protestants In The North
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North Down Councillors blast DUP and UUP over climate hypocracy
The party criticises DUP and UUP councillors for climate action hypocrisy, calling for independent mediation on Drumcree.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Drumcree Parades Commission ruling Original release: North Down Councillors blast DUP and UUP over climate hypocracy
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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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Burrows: rule of law must apply without fear or favour
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says the High Court judgment confirms Portadown District’s legal right to parade and condemns the protest that sought to block it, urging reforms to bar offending officials and calling for on‑the‑spot super fines and prosecutions for breaches of parade legislation.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parade ban High Court judgment Original release: Burrows: rule of law must apply without fear or favour
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Allister: West Tyrone Can Vote for Strength, Not Weakness
Jim Allister MP says the party will offer West Tyrone voters a chance to vote for strength, not weakness. He criticises the DUP's response to recent events in Portadown.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Portadown policing controversy Original release: Allister: West Tyrone Can Vote for Strength, Not Weakness
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Equal citizenship is non-negotiable – Allister
TUV leader Jim Allister says equal citizenship is non‑negotiable and urges a centre‑right Reform Government to scrap the Windsor Framework, restore UK sovereignty and complete Brexit, warning Labour’s ‘Reset’ would reverse Brexit and bind the UK to EU law.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Labour Party Brexit reversal plan announcement Original release: Equal citizenship is non-negotiable – AllisterArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its Job
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes any UK Budget support for Northern Ireland households facing rising energy and bill costs, but says the Executive must agree its own Budget and move away from short-term crisis management. She calls for recognition of home heating oil users and rural communities.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its JobArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
The party MLA Colin McGrath condemns the Executive's handling of health service pay disputes, accusing Ministers of putting frontline healthcare workers in a political standoff.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Stormont handling of health service pay disputes Original release: McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
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Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says Tennyson
Alliance leader Naomi Long's party colleague Tennyson, identified in the release as Alliance's representative, calls the DUP's push to pull the Stormont brake a cynical, self-defeating stunt ahead of a UK-EU summit. He says it undermines progress on an SPS agreement and business confidence.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Pulling Stormont Brake is another DUP stunt, says TennysonArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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The Dup Should Offer Leadership Not Victim Blaming
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin says DUP Infrastructure Minister Gordon Lyons should withdraw his remarks that the ‘legitimate concerns’ of protesters be remembered, calling the comments victim‑blaming nonsense after the Belfast racist intimidation incident.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: The Dup Should Offer Leadership Not Victim Blaming
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Joint statement by leaders of the UUP and TUV and the Chair of the Inter-Trade UK Business Association on Stormont Brake
TUV leader Jim Allister, joined by UUP leader Jon Burrows and ITUKBA chair Peter Summerton, calls for the Secretary of State to apply the Stormont Brake against the EU Union Customs Code, which they say deepens the customs border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Joint statement by leaders of the UUP and TUV and the Chair of the Inter-Trade UK Business Association on Stormont BrakeArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Greedflation? Organise.
People Before Profit, citing a record number of UK billionaires and the idea of 'greedflation', urges workers to join trade unions, put in pay claims and form local Cost of Living campaign groups rather than accept the cost of living crisis.
Economy and employment Original release: Greedflation? Organise.
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Burrows calls for end to private fireworks sales
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA calls for comprehensive reform of Northern Ireland fireworks laws, urging a ban on private sales except in exceptional cases, limiting use to organised public displays, promoting low‑noise options and tougher penalties to protect pets and communities.
Justice and policing Issue: Fireworks law reform call by party leader Jon Burrows MLA Original release: Burrows calls for end to private fireworks sales
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2023: Socialism Is The Answer To A World In Crisis
People Before Profit says the 2022 cost‑of‑living crisis, climate inaction, attacks on reproductive and trans rights and the war in Ukraine show capitalism has failed, and calls for a socialist, left‑wing Irish government to end poverty, improve housing and health services.
Economy and employment International affairs Original release: 2023: Socialism Is The Answer To A World In Crisis
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Burrows rejects call for dissident deal as PSNI marks 25 years
The party Leader Jon Burrows MLA rejects a call for a deal with dissident republicans, paying tribute to the PSNI on its 25th anniversary.
Justice and policing Issue: PSNI 25th anniversary Original release: Burrows rejects call for dissident deal as PSNI marks 25 yearsArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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DUP And UU Think 6000 Students At Magee Is Good Enough For Derry
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says the DUP and Ulster University are accepting 6,000 students at Magee as enough, and calls for an urgent plan to reach a 10,000-student minimum within five years. He also calls for investment across Derry and the North West, citing Derry City Deal funding…
Education Economy and employment Original release: DUP And UU Think 6000 Students At Magee Is Good Enough For Derry
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DUP’s sham response beyond pathetic
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister says the DUP’s response today was a sham and pathetic, criticising its refusal to appear jointly with First Minister O’Neill and accusing the party of clinging to office rather than principle, while praising MP Carla Lockhart’s stance.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: DUP’s sham response beyond pathetic
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Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the DUP will continue to obstruct progress while taking their wages, citing their record on blocking rights and policies.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP Stormont brake request on MLA wages and ministerial cars Original release: Carroll: DUP Will Pocket the Wage and Wreck the Work
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Donaldson & DUP Are A Waste Of Space In Westminster If They Can’t Challenge Tory Economic Vandalism
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin attacks the DUP and Jeffrey Donaldson for failing to challenge the Truss government's budget, which he says will deepen inequality and harm public services. He calls for escalating protests and industrial action.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Original release: Donaldson & DUP Are A Waste Of Space In Westminster If They Can’t Challenge Tory Economic Vandalism
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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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O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
Matthew O'Toole MLA criticises DUP and SF for distracting from Christmas pay scandal. He says civil servants will not receive pay increases in their Christmas pay packets.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont brake request on Budget agreement Original release: O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
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Burrows challenges Chief Constable over Provisional IRA remarks
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA rejects Chief Constable Jon Boutcher’s reported claim that remaining Provisional IRA members are older people who pose no harm, calling the group’s continued existence anathema to democracy and urging a fresh security assessment and equal law enforcement.
Justice and policing Issue: Chief Constable's comments on Provisional IRA existence Original release: Burrows challenges Chief Constable over Provisional IRA remarksArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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TUV welcomes Carla Lockhart move
TUV leader Jim Allister welcomes Carla Lockhart MP's decision to leave the DUP, saying she followed her conscience. He claims the DUP chose Michelle O'Neill over her and says he looks forward to working closely with her on unionist issues.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Carla Lockhart leaves the DUP Original release: TUV welcomes Carla Lockhart move
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Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
The party criticises the lack of plug-in solar in Northern Ireland. Councillor Anthony Flynn raised the issue with Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: plug-in solar launch in Great Britain Original release: Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain