Donaldson welcomes 'debate and exchange of ideas' in unionism over Irish Sea border deal

The DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has told members that he welcomes “the debate and exchange of ideas that has taken place within Unionism on the outcome of the deal with the UK Government” – after recently ridiculing critics and asking what they had delivered.
By David Thompson
Published 17th Feb 2024, 00:00 GMT
Updated 17th Feb 2024, 07:49 GMT
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson - who has previously ridiculed critics of his deal with the government - has told party members that he welcomes debate within unionism on the issue.Sir Jeffrey Donaldson - who has previously ridiculed critics of his deal with the government - has told party members that he welcomes debate within unionism on the issue.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson - who has previously ridiculed critics of his deal with the government - has told party members that he welcomes debate within unionism on the issue.

In his weekly email to the party faithful – Sir Jeffrey also says the party “cannot on the one hand be in a perpetual war with the UK Government and yet through our own actions say we are content to hand every lever of governance to the same UK Government”.

The email also says: “Following the agreement negotiated between us and the UK Government and the Assembly and Executive being re-established we once again have the opportunity to locally shape the issues that impact on our everyday lives.

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" I am pleased that whilst far from perfect, the progress we made with the Government, has allowed us to re-set the political balance in Northern Ireland and has provided a basis for unionism to move forward."

The Lagan Valley MP continued: “The deal we secured did not achieve everything we would have wished for but it did make very significant gains for us and more importantly for Northern Ireland. Politics is about the art of the possible and for our part we will continue to campaign and argue for further change in the time ahead.

“I passionately believe that the decisions and actions we have taken are the right course of action for Northern Ireland. I am confident that we are now in a position where we can make the case to broaden and deepen the support for Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom."

He says that following the publication of the deal he has “commenced a series of meetings across Northern Ireland to engage with and share my vision for the Union as we move forward confidently.”

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Sir Jeffrey added: “I have a confident, positive message and a plan for delivering what needs to be done. I have no doubt that the wider unionist community is ready to play its part as we build an even larger coalition of support for making Northern Ireland work within the Union.

"That’s our plan and that is what we will do.”

Related topics:UK GovernmentUnionismNorthern IrelandIrish SeaDUPGovernment

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