First UK East West council meeting goes ahead - as UUP questions purpose of body

The first meeting of the East West council has taken place – with a focus on investment, education and business innovation.
By David Thompson
Published 26th Mar 2024, 15:28 BST
Updated 26th Mar 2024, 18:09 BST
(left to right) Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker, Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, and Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Levelling Up Jacob Young, pose for a photograph at the first East-West Council meeting at Dover House in London. The new body to improve business and educational links across the UK, was created under the deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday March 26, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Council. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire(left to right) Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker, Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, and Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Levelling Up Jacob Young, pose for a photograph at the first East-West Council meeting at Dover House in London. The new body to improve business and educational links across the UK, was created under the deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday March 26, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Council. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
(left to right) Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker, Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly, Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, and Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Levelling Up Jacob Young, pose for a photograph at the first East-West Council meeting at Dover House in London. The new body to improve business and educational links across the UK, was created under the deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday March 26, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Council. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The body was set up to promote links between Northern Ireland and the other UK nations as part of the DUP’s Safeguarding the Union deal.

However, no ministers from Scotland or Wales were in attendance. Asked about their absence, a spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up – which hosted the first meeting – told the News Letter: “UK Government and Northern Irish ministers are agreeing priorities and expect the devolved nations to be involved going forward”.

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It is understood the setting up of InterTrade UK was discussed – but no further details have emerged about the body to promote and smooth the flow of trade within the UK.

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers meet with the UK government as part of the new UK East-West council, set up as part of the DUP - Government Safeguarding the Union deal.Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers meet with the UK government as part of the new UK East-West council, set up as part of the DUP - Government Safeguarding the Union deal.
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers meet with the UK government as part of the new UK East-West council, set up as part of the DUP - Government Safeguarding the Union deal.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly welcomed “the progress made” and said: “I am particularly pleased with the publication of the prospectus for the £150m Enhanced Investment Zone and the announcement of awards totalling £17m through the Shared Prosperity Fund.

“The council will play a vital role, enhancing the links between the NI Executive and the UK Government and providing a forum for us to work together on a wide range of issues across trade, transport, education and culture to deliver real benefits for everyone in Northern Ireland.”

UUP leader Doug Beattie has questioned the purpose of the new body – saying Northern Ireland should be embedding itself “in the UK-wide structures already in place”.

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He said: “It is time for unionists to realise that being part of the union is about engaging with its structures as an equal member, like Wales, Scotland, and England. Every time we go down a different route, and create special circumstances, we set ourselves apart from the other UK nations. That is not unionism, that is isolationism”.

TUV deputy leader councillor Ron McDowell said: “Meaningful East/West connectivity and cooperation is welcome” but added: “The optics of today’s gathering does nothing to alter the constitutional detriment wrought by the Protocol, which, sadly, the DUP has now accepted”. He said the new body has no statutory powers, “in stark contrast” to North/South bodies.

Related topics:UK GovernmentNorthern IrelandUUPDoug BeattieDUPScotland

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