UUP leader Jon Burrows to take aim at 'stagnation' since Good Friday Agreement, as he calls on Northern Ireland to build prosperity on top of peace
Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows is to take aim at “stagnation” since the Good Friday Agreement, arguing people in Northern Ireland aren’t feeling “the full promise of peace” in their wallets.
During a speech in Dublin tomorrow, he’s also to fire off broadsides at the Northern Ireland Assembly, stating Stormont “was designed to exist, not excel”.
His words are to come as he appears at the Institute of International and European Affairs to give a keynote address, his party revealed.
Now approaching 30 years since the Good Friday Agreement effectively ended the Troubles, he’s to argue that while Northern Ireland is “living through the most peaceful period in its history”, many people increasingly feel the full promise of peace has not yet been realised.
"The generation before us ended violence, our generation must end stagnation,” he is to state. “Peace was the beginning. Prosperity and opportunity must be the destination.”
The MLA is to use his speech to call for an era of reform, delivery and economic ambition in Northern Ireland, stating: “Peace is precious. Peace must always be protected, but peace alone is not the destination. Peace is the foundation, the platform upon which we build something greater.”
He is to argue the Union offers the best platform for economic security, stability and prosperity – though he plans to stress that constitutional politics debating whether Northern Ireland should be part of the UK or the Republic of Ireland are “no longer the dominant concern for most families”.
Mr Burrows is also to call for a focus on skills, apprenticeships, university reform and private sector growth, including a reduced VAT rate for hospitality and tourism.