Latest news with #TUV
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
TUV asks Equality Commission to rethink ‘neutral' Irish language signs stance after poll results
The TUV has written to the Equality Commission expressing 'deep concern' about Irish language signs in public spaces following an opinion poll showing unionist unease with the signage.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NI leaders urged to support families 'living in fear' of sectarian attacks
The first and deputy first ministers have been called on to publicly condemn sectarian attacks on homes in north Belfast. Independent councillor Paul McCusker, who has written to Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, said they need to "come out, show commitment and get behind these families". TUV councillor Ron McDowell said local residents are living in "terror and fear". It comes after masonry was thrown at properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street on Wednesday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the area. On Friday, a number of residents said they planned to leave their homes. McDowell said those targeted were "young girls in their early 20s with babies in their arms". "When they say their houses have been attacked - there are no windows in their homes – they are completely boarded up with a threat of a repeat visit," he added. McDowell said there was an issue with police resources in north-west Belfast. "I don't doubt that the police are doing what they can – they stepped up yesterday and pledged more – they now have the alarms that people can press - but they don't appear to have the resources to deal with this adequately," he added. He said there was a high density of peace walls in the area. "There is a lot of insecurity around community displacement – there are predators within the community within paramilitary gangs who would play on the fears of the local inhabitants, who are protective of homes for their own people and their children," he said. "This has been a minority group of Catholic houses that have been targeted in a predominantly unionist area. "Incidents along the peace line are nothing new though they don't often get reported - they go on for months and it can be a living hell for people in those areas." Following a meeting between the affected families, police and community representatives on Sunday, McCusker said most families want to stay, but "no one can guarantee their safety". McCusker called for the NI Executive to intervene and for the first and deputy first ministers to "come out and call this out for what it is". Speaking to BBC News NI on Monday, he said: "I mean this is a major problem, you know, north Belfast is one of the most divided parts of Belfast, and a lot more work needs to done to ensure that people regardless if you're Catholic or Protestant or whatever religion you are, that you're entitled to live in a safe home in any community." He added: "It's a massive big upheaval in anybody's life, particularly if you're homeless for eight years to then get a new house and then to be treated this way is just shocking." He said the sectarian attacks are "becoming more of a problem here in north Belfast" and are "not being reported enough". "And we're aware of other families in recent months this has happened to as well and we need that commitment from first minister and deputy first minister to actually to come out, show commitment and get behind these families." PSNI Supt Allister Hagan said: "We are treating what happened in these residential areas not just as criminal damage, but sectarian-motivated hate crime - which is totally unacceptable. "This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, housing provider, community representatives and local residents in relation to these issues." Police have been "regularly patrolling these areas at varying intervals to deter crime and provide reassurance to the community," Supt Hagan added. "In addition, we have been meeting with residents regularly to listen to their concerns and offer practical support." Clanmil Housing said it has been on site over the weekend. In a statement, a spokesperson said: "Some families have left their homes at this time, and we have provided alternative temporary accommodation where needed. "We absolutely condemn the continued and unprovoked threat to families living peacefully in their homes. Everyone should be allowed to live safely in their home, free from any type of intimidation or threat." The NI Executive office has been contacted for comment. Residents 'on edge' following sectarian attack
Irish Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the EU/UK agreement and Northern Ireland: grab the advantages
The contours of the UK's post-Brexit relationship with the EU have finally been established nine years after the British people voted to leave the bloc. Both London and Brussels have spent the past few days talking up the benefits of the trade agreement, though much remains to be negotiated now – and for many years in the future. Northern Ireland is poised to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the agreement. London agreed to a system of 'dynamic alignment', meaning that EU and UK regulatory standards will not diverge. This helps to underpin the post-Brexit Windsor Framework, the rules governing trade in Northern Ireland. Moreover, much of the paperwork needed to transport agri-food products from Britain to Northern Ireland is also due to be removed. The political reaction in Northern Ireland has been broadly positive. Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Alliance Party have all welcomed it. The DUP has not embraced the deal, but it has not rejected it either. Not surprisingly, Jim Allister, the leader of the TUV, has said the agreement draws Northern Ireland closer to the EU's orbit and undermines its position in the union. In fact, Monday's deal merely ensures a smoother functioning of the Windsor Framework, an agreement already in place. It provides some certainty for Northern Ireland for now, even if Reform threatens to tear up the latest UK/EU agreement if it is in power, as have the Conservatives. Despite the clear evidence that Brexit has cost the UK economy significantly, the UK opposition continue to cling to its merits. READ MORE For Northern Ireland, the Windsor Framework enables dual access to the UK and EU markets for goods for Northern Irish businesses and thus provides the economy with a unique advantage. The terms of Monday's deal help to underpin this in important respects and also to ease barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland. It thus deserves wide political support in Northern Ireland and a determination to get on and use the opportunities now on offer.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Unionists size up possible new UK-EU deal as PM walks tightrope
Making up is never easy after such a bruising and bitter break-up but that challenge begins later for the prime minister as the UK and EU hold their first bilateral summit since Brexit. The trick for Sir Keir Starmer will be to reset relations with Brussels without making it appear like a Brexit retreat. Both sides are keen to tear down trade barriers and that could see a deal being struck to greatly reduce the impact of the Irish sea border. An agri-food agreement would remove the need for checks and controls on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. But it will take some time to negotiate and may come at a high price, as the UK may have to align with some EU regulations. That, say opponents, would mean the UK becoming a rule taker from Brussels once more in what would be a Brexit betrayal. It is the tightest of tightropes for Sir Keir Starmer and his government to negotiate, coming at a time when a resurgent Reform party will now be targeting Labour seats in leave-voting constituencies. But it also presents a big challenge for unionists who want the Irish sea border completely dismantled. How do they strike the balance between welcoming a deal that begins to eradicate the border while at the same time undermining the Brexit they championed? Do they adopt a purist or pragmatic approach? UK and EU still locked in deal talks hours ahead of summit 'Our business needs Irish Sea border reset' Minister 'pushing' for deal over use of EU passport e-gates A Queens University poll last week suggested unionist support for the Brexit deal - the Windsor Framework - has dropped significantly in the past year. Support for those described as "slightly unionist" fell from 51% to 26% That trend is likely to continue as more checks and controls come into force across the Irish sea border - like pet passports, which from next month will require those travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland to obtain travel documents for their pets. But whatever the fallout, the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) insist the UK must not concede to following EU rules whatever the impact on the the Irish sea border. "The purpose of Brexit was to take back control and make our own laws," said TUV leader Jim Allister. "If we embrace a veterinary agreement then we throw this away." He added: "Labour can try to further sabotage Brexit in this way but they will play a high price at the next general election." Meanwhile, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) say a new agri-food deal would not provide the "silver bullet to the whole host of problems created by the application of EU law specifically in Northern Ireland only". "For example, any agreement would not cover, or resolve, issues around customs and other barriers to trade, not least in relation to product standards," A DUP spokesperson said. The party added that the government needs to be "radical in moving on from the Windsor Framework and not tinkering around the edges of it". "We continue to make the case for full restoration of Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom, including removing the application of EU law in our country and the internal Irish Sea Border it creates." Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) deputy leader Robbie Butler said if the UK and EU work to reduce the friction in trade then it would "cautiously welcome what amounts to an overdue recognition of what we have been advocating all along". However, he added that "warm words and rushed deals often leave Northern Ireland as an afterthought" and that any agreement that does not put Northern Ireland centrally in the UK market will "fail our people, our producers and our prosperity". He said the party will be "unapologetic in defending Northern Ireland's farmers, agri-businesses, and rural economy from the damage of needless economic borders". "Our prosperity depends on it - and so does the principle of a truly United Kingdom." Is Britain really inching back towards the EU? No sequins or dancing at EU summit - but it'll be an extravaganza nonetheless
Belfast Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Diary: A Linen Hall mouthful, bollards and war planes
People Before Profit's Michael Collins tabled a motion asking the council to note its 'alarm' at the airport being used as a transit point for US military aircraft and cargo destined for Europe and the Middle East. 'As reported, over 60 military flights have been detected using Aldergrove airport as a transit point during the 18 months of Israel's assault on Gaza,' Mr Collins said. 'Over a dozen of these flights were found to have travelled to Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar: a key transfer point for large-scale munitions between the US and Israel. 'The council notes its grave concern that these flights were, therefore, likely carrying weapons and munitions which were used in the Israeli genocide in Gaza.' In response, TUV councillor Ron McDowell said the motion was 'nothing to do with Belfast', but was a global political issue. There's another reason it could be argued that the motion had nothing to do with Belfast. Namely, Belfast International Airport isn't actually in the city, but in the village of Aldergrove, which is in Co Antrim. Indeed, it used to be called Aldergrove Airport until its name was changed in 1983. Hill Street blues just won't end The glacial pace of pedestrianising Hill Street in Belfast is showing no signs of speeding up. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has been asked for an update on the long-awaited plans. 'I can advise that officials will undertake further engagement with relevant stakeholders in the coming weeks to determine a scheme that works for all,' Ms Kimmins replied. 'These discussions will better inform my department on what should be included in the experimental scheme.' Surely 'what should be included' is a couple of bollards, so the scheme can finally be realised. Old name mouthful For all its faults, every now and again, social media can throw up interesting historical stories. This week, just such a fun fact relating to the Linen Hall Library came to light, thanks to its official X account. It turns out the 237-year-old institution wasn't always known as that, but had a different name. In 1792, it was officially called the Belfast Library and Society for Promoting Knowledge. Bit of a mouthful, so it's understandable why that title didn't stick.
