Latest news with #DemocraticUnionistParty
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Voting age: 16 and 17-year-olds to be able to vote in future Stormont elections
People aged 16 and 17 will be able to vote in future Stormont and council elections in Northern plans to lower the voting age to 16 are unlikely to be implemented in time for the next Northern Ireland Assembly election in 2027, the Electoral Commission has Westminster government has announced a change to the voting age for general elections and the next one is expected in 2029, whereas Northern Ireland's next assembly and local council elections are due in Stormont parties welcomed the plans to change the voting age, but there have been calls for the change to be made sooner. The minimum voting age is already 16 for local council elections in Scotland and Wales, and elections to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd (Welsh Parliament).However for other elections, including to the UK Parliament, local elections in England and all elections in Northern Ireland, it is Electoral Commission spokeswoman said: "The lowering of the voting age will apply to all elections in Northern Ireland, including Westminster, assembly and council elections."The change is expected to be in place for the 2029 Westminster elections, but it's unlikely to be implemented ahead of the 2027 assembly and local council elections in Northern Ireland." What have Stormont parties said? The Stormont assembly has twice supported a motion calling for changes to the voting age - first in 2012 and again last year, but without the support of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna welcomed the extension of voting to 16 and 17-year-olds."At this age many young people are already out working part-time or contributing to our society in other ways and it's important this has been recognised in the form of voting rights," the MP for South Belfast and Mid Down a post on X, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she welcomed the news and that it was a "step forward for democracy and will enable young people to have a say in their future".O'Neill said she would "now be contacting the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, urging him to ensure that the right to vote at 16 applies to the 2027 Assembly and Council elections in the north". Alliance Party assembly member Sian Mulholland said the "disenfranchisement of our society's young people" has been a "major democratic deficit"."However, time is of the essence and we need urgent clarification that it will be a priority to see this implemented in time for the next NI Assembly election in 2027. We cannot afford any further delay," she added. DUP MLA Brian Kingston said it is "not clear how the Government can justifiably set the voting age at 16 rather than the current age threshold"."The prime minister's rationale for this move is essentially a 'no taxation without representation' argument," he said."It is high time the government applied the same logic to Northern Ireland, where taxpayers here have no say on laws imposed by the European Union," Kingston April, Secretary of State Hilary Benn said the government was "absolutely committed" to changing the law in Northern Ireland, but he did not give a change is part of a raft of measures being introduced through a new Elections Bill, including changes to forms of voter ID and tightening rules on political donations to protect against foreign interference.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Migrant back door remains open after Starmer deal, warn unionists
Keir Starmer must stop people-smugglers using Northern Ireland as a back door into Britain, senior unionists have warned. They fear that migrants will increasingly abuse the open border with Ireland if Sir Keir's ' one in, one out ' deal with Emmanuel Macron drives down migrant Channel crossings. The UK and Ireland share a common travel area, which predates both countries' EU membership and allows free movement for British and Irish citizens. The 'Irish route' sees migrants fly to Dublin from Europe, either legally or on false papers, before travelling unchecked to Northern Ireland by land. Once in the UK, it is possible for them to claim asylum. It is also possible to travel to Britain without a passport, although airlines and ferry operators do ask for photo ID. 'We will be telling the Government to closely monitor the flow of people and do what is necessary to protect and defend the entire border of the UK,' Lord Dodds, the Democratic Unionist Party peer, told The Telegraph. A Telegraph investigation last month revealed that Albanian gangs were charging £4,000 to use the soft border to get people into Britain, and advertising the scam on Facebook. The gangs give migrants fake Italian ID cards that are used to fly them into Ireland, before they sneak into mainland Britain on ferries, allowing them to work illegally or claim asylum with their Albanian passports. 'If the Prime Minister is serious about securing the UK's borders, then it's time to stop pretending that our only border threat comes from the sea,' Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim and leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice, warned. Mr Allister's office is in Ballymena, where there were anti-migrant riots in June. The violence spread across Northern Ireland over two weeks of disorder that led to 56 arrests and 107 officers injured. The hardline unionist added: 'The people of Northern Ireland deserve the same border security and immigration enforcement as anywhere else in the United Kingdom. 'Failure to act continues to foster illegal settlement, demographic manipulation, and strain on public services – particularly in areas like Ballymena, where the impact is plain to see.' Northern Ireland's Brexit deal kept the Irish border open after the UK left the EU. That was to protect the Good Friday Agreement, amid fears checkpoints would become a target for paramilitaries. But many unionists believe that the deal has loosened Northern Ireland's ties with the rest of the UK, and made a united Ireland more likely by creating a customs border in the Irish Sea. They oppose a new 'people border' being created between Northern Ireland and Britain to control any rise in illegal immigration from the region to the mainland, for fear of increasing Northern Ireland's political distance from the rest of the UK. In a sign of growing loyalist tensions over immigration, a bonfire was burnt with an effigy of 12 migrants in a small boat carrying the Irish tricolour on top last week. A sign strapped to the side of the pyre in Moygashel village, near Dungannon, read 'stop the boats' and another banner read 'veterans before refugees' with an image of two guns. The bonfire was set ablaze as part of the annual July 12 celebrations to mark the victory of the protestant William of Orange over deposed King James II's Catholic forces at the Battle of the Boyne. Katy Hayward, professor of political sociology at Queen's University Belfast, said unionist fears over immigration reflected the fact that borders were points of connection as well as division. 'This is more obvious for land borders than sea borders, which is a perpetual challenge for unionism,' Prof Hayward, an expert on the Irish border, told The Telegraph. 'Geographically outside Britain but increasingly concerned about immigration, Ulster loyalism is on high alert. 'Compounding the unease is the fact that the issue can only be effectively managed by closer British-Irish cooperation.' After Brexit, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to the Common Travel Area and there is co-operation between London and Dublin authorities to protect it from abuse. Under the area's rules, border guards can ask to see passports and are able to refuse entry to Britain or Ireland but this is not routine. No immigration checks are undertaken on the Irish land border itself, but intelligence-led operations are carried out on travel routes away from it to prevent abuse. 'Whatever steps the Government takes they must also ensure that there isn't an unchecked illegal route through the Republic of Ireland,' Robin Swann, the Ulster Unionist Party's MP for South Antrim warned. 'If the Gardai can mount checks on public transport travelling from Northern Ireland to the Republic, UK authorities should be doing likewise.' Irish police carried out spot checks away from the border last year, amid accusations that migrants were fleeing to Ireland from Northern Ireland to escape the now ditched Rwanda Plan. In May last year, the Irish government claimed as many as 80 per cent of asylum seekers had come to Dublin from Northern Ireland. Britain, then under a Tory government, took back at least 50 migrants from Ireland after initially refusing to do so during a diplomatic row with Dublin. Ireland is struggling to transform from a country of emigration to immigration in the grips of a housing crisis. There have been anti-migrant riots in Dublin and arson attacks on asylum reception centres. Tent cities sprang up in the Irish capital close to the the asylum office. In 2024, a record total of 18,651 people applied for asylum in Ireland, which has a population of 5.3 million. Ireland's department of Justice said it had 'noted the UK-France migrant return deal' but would not comment on bilateral agreements between other countries. It said there was 'extensive engagement and cooperation' between its officials, the Home Office and police in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain 'at all levels'. 'This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the United Kingdom and will continue,' a spokesman added.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
DUP leader calls for unionist parties to co-operate
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party called for more political co-operation among unionist parties in his address following the Belfast Twelfth of July parade."When unionism splits, unionism loses," said Gavin Robinson, who was the main speaker at the Belfast cited the loss of the Lagan Valley Westminster seat to Alliance in the 2024 general election as an example and called for talks between unionists on more political views were echoed by the Orange Order's deputy grand master Harold Henning, who called for "closer collaboration between the leadership" of unionist parties to "maximise unionist representation at all levels of government". Thousands of people took part in Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland on annual marches commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in event is also a celebration of Protestant traditions and Ulster-Scots heritage. Robinson said the Twelfth was about "faith and freedom", but told the assembled crowd some people dismissed the event and "would rather we keep our heads down"."It crosses class, it bridges geography and it cuts across party political lines," he was also critical of the Labour government and the Windsor Framework, calling the Northern Ireland Protocol "a once in a generation act of self-harm to the union".He said unionists had received "broken promises" from the Labour government, adding that it was not prioritising Northern framework is Northern Ireland's post-Brexit deal which covers trade and human at the Twelfth event in Maghera, County Londonderry, Mr Henning said he wanted to send a message of collaboration to unionist politicians."Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged - more than that, it should be demanded and country should always come before party or individual self-interest," he said. Robinson's party colleague, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little -Pengelly said people wanted to see a "united front" within the Orange Order and political unionism."Within every hall, within every lodge, there are people from all different shades of unionism, all different types of political views within the unionist family, and yet they walk together, they are friends, they are brethren, regardless of those particular shades of unionism," she said."That's a big message for political unionism."
MTV Lebanon
10-07-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Effigies of refugees on bonfire condemned in Northern Ireland
A model of refugees in a boat, placed on a bonfire in a pro-British town near Belfast, prompted condemnations by politicians across Northern Ireland's political divides on Thursday, weeks after migrants' homes were attacked nearby. Bonfires are lit across the British region in mainly Protestant "loyalist" neighbourhoods on the eve of the July 12 commemorations of William of Orange's victory over the Roman Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Pictures and effigies of Catholic Irish politicians and anti-Catholic slogans are often placed on some of the bonfires, which are built from wooden pallets in the weeks ahead of July 12. Effigies of eight immigrants in life jackets were placed in a model boat alongside an Irish flag on top of the bonfire that is due to be lit on Thursday evening in the town of Moygashel, 65 km (40 miles) west of Belfast. Banners below the boat read "Stop the Boats" and "Veterans before Refugees." A member of the regional assembly for Irish nationalists Sinn Féin, Colm Gildernew, called the display "deplorable" and a "clear incitement to hatred" that must be removed immediately. Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt called for the effigies to be removed and said he condemned them 'without reservation". 'This image is sickening, deplorable and entirely out of step with what is supposed to be a cultural celebration,' Nesbitt, who is the region's health minister, wrote on X. A statement from the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party to the BBC said the effigy placement "should not take place". Bonfires and parades to mark July 12 have often prompted violence - by both supporters and opponents - even after a 1998 peace deal largely ended three decades of conflict between Catholic nationalists aspiring to unification with Ireland, the British state and Protestant unionists seeking to retain the status quo. Supporters, who have recently moved to rebrand July 12 celebrations as Orangefest, say the marches and bonfires represent centuries-old traditions. In June, masked rioters attacked police and set homes and cars on fire in Ballymena, 65 km northeast of Moygashel.
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
DWP urged to give early State Pension access to people with a terminal illness
People can only claim the State Pension when they reach the official age of retirement, which is currently 66. Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Jim Shannon has urged the UK Government to consider the 'potential merits of allowing early State Pension access for people with a terminal illness'. However, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell explained that the State Pension can only be accessed when someone reaches the official age of retirement, which is currently 66. In a written response to the Strangford MP, Mr Bell highlighted that people nearing the end of their life can gain faster access to financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through the 'Special Rules for End of Life'. You can find out more about this on here. He explained: 'This enables people nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.' In the written response earlier this week, the Pensions Minister said: 'There has been no recent assessment. The principle of having a State Pension age that is the same for everybody has the merit of simplicity and clarity through providing an important trigger moment for planning purposes. It has always been the case that nobody can claim their State Pension before they reach their State Pension age. 'For those nearing the end of their life, the Government's priority is to provide people with financial support quickly and compassionately. The main way the Department does this is through the Special Rules for End of Life. 'These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.' These rules apply to five benefits that support people with health conditions or disabilities: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Attendance Allowance Universal Credit Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Online petition calling for early access to State Pension A new online petition is urging the UK Government to give older people on disability benefits early access to their State Pension. The State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, but is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Petition creator George Bolgar has put forward a proposal that every person over 60 with a disability 'who has been unemployed for at least five years should be given the choice to retire and claim the State Pension immediately'. The 'allow elderly disabled people to claim the State Pension early' petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website. At 10,000 signatures of support it would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. The petition states: 'We think that any disabled person aged 60 who has been unemployed for at least five years should be given the choice to retire and claim the State Pension immediately. 'We think that keeping people on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) unemployment list when there is no chance of them ever becoming employed again is extra work for the DWP and extra stress for the disabled person. 'We think that once someone is above 60 years old and unemployed their likelihood of being employable is extremely reduced.' State Pension age rise The State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 next year, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women across the UK by 2028. The planned change to the official age of retirement has been in legislation since 2014 with a further rise from 67 to 68 set to be implemented between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The UK Government also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will be able to claim the State Pension once they reach 67. It's important to be aware of these upcoming changes now, especially if you have a retirement plan in place. Everyone affected by changes to their State Pension age will receive a letter from the DWP well in advance. Under the Pensions Act 2007 the State Pension age for men and women will increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 provides for a regular review of the State Pension age, at least once every five years. The review will be based around the idea people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a State Pension. A review of the planned rise to 68 is due before the end of this decade and had originally been scheduled by the then Conservative government to take place two years after the general election - which would have been 2026. Any review of the State Pension age will take into account life expectancy along with a range of other factors relevant to setting the State Pension age. After the review has reported, the UK Government may then choose to bring forward changes to the State Pension age. However, any proposals would have to go through Parliament before becoming law. Check your State Pension age online Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may be different to the age you can get a workplace or personal pension. Anyone of any age can use the online tool at to check their State Pension age, which can be an essential part of planning your retirement. You can use the State Pension age tool to check: When you will reach State Pension age Your Pension Credit qualifying age When you will be eligible for free bus travel - this is at age 60 in Scotland Check your State Pension age online here.
