Letter: As a farmer, Stormont MLA pay rise announcement - while ordinary people tighten their belts - has left me frustrated and deeply disappointed
A letter from Ryan Rea:
At 27 years old, as a farmer with a strong interest in politics, I try to take a balanced view of decisions made at Stormont.
But the recent announcement of a pay rise for members of the Northern Ireland Assembly has left me frustrated and deeply disappointed.
Across rural communities like mine, we’re battling rising costs, tight margins, and crumbling infrastructure. Yet while ordinary people tighten their belts, MLAs are being rewarded.
It feels tone deaf at best. Our roads are riddled with potholes, making travel across the countryside increasingly dangerous. The Department for Infrastructure still hasn’t delivered the basic repairs we desperately need.
For farmers moving machinery and families commuting daily, Northern Ireland’s roads feel more hazardous than ever.
Meanwhile, education faces funding pressures, our health service remains overstretched and waiting lists continue to grow. There are serious problems across multiple departments, yet real, visible progress is hard to find.
Right now, I’m genuinely struggling to see why I should vote for any party at the next NI Assembly election. Leadership should mean accountability, not rewards disconnected from reality.
Ryan Rea, Crumlin