Steve Baker

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria arrive at the headquarters of Camden Council for the count of the Holborn and St Pancras constituency in the 2024 General Election. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Sir Keir Starmer set for No 10 as exit poll forecasts Labour landslide

Tim Collins told the News Letter earlier this year why he's running for the Ulster Unionist Party at Westminster: “I asked myself, could I do a better job? And the answer is absolutely”.

Army has more diversity groups than tanks - UUP candidate

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his visit to Chesham United Football Club, while on the General Election campaign trail.

Sunak defends national service proposal but NI minister leads criticism

We are subjected to Steve Baker's condescending utterances informing the people of Northern Ireland about ‘compromises’. Would he accept the EU colonial rule for his constituents in GB? Not for a moment

Jamie Bryson: The hardman of Brexit who melted like a snowman, Steve Baker

Through the Safeguarding the Union command paper published in February, maximising trade and opportunity for Northern Ireland's businesses is the UK Government's priority, writes Steve Baker

Steve Baker: UK Government is steadfastly commitment to NI

Minister of State for the Northern Ireland Office Steve Baker says the deal further cements Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.

​Government hails NI meat deal with EU

Frank Donnelly, chair of NIMGA with Minister Baker MP, Mickey Brady MP and Chris Hazzard MP

NI mushroom sector must not be left behind warns growers association

Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker

'Urgent action needed' as supply of veterinary medicines comes under threat

The UK East-West Council will focus on the “health of the union”, minister Steve Baker has said. Photo: PA

UK East-West Council will focus on 'health of the union'

Steve Baker appeared before the House of Lords Windsor Framework Sub-Committee on Wednesday

Progress made on ‘at risk’ EU vet meds, Lords told

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street, London, with his ministerial box before delivering his Budget in the Houses of Parliament. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

UK budget: £100m for Stormont and investment in Coleraine and Londonderry

Retail NI, the driving force behind Northern Ireland's independent retail and wholesale sector, proudly kicked off its highly anticipated second Annual Supplier Showcase event on February 27 at Titanic Belfast. Supported by key partners Biopax Limited, Bobby’s Foods and nijobfinder, this year's showcase featured over 50 exhibits, allowing attendees to explore a diverse range of products and services from local suppliers. Pictured are Paddy Murney, Retail NI chair; guest speaker Steve Baker MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland, John Lucas from Bobby’s Foods and Liam O’Connor, sales and marketing director at Biopax Limited

Retail NI's second annual supplier showcase event celebrates success

King Charles at the State Opening of Parliament, 2023, which was followed by a 'humble address'

What is the 'humble address' to King Charles on NI's place in the UK?

DUP MP Ian Paisley

Paisley says he will take plants to NI in hand luggage amid trade ‘friction’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaving Glencraig Integrated Primary School in Holywood this morning. Photo: David Thompson, National World

Sunak: NI has 'unanimously' moved beyond sea border

NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has brought legislation as part of the government's deal with the DUP to the House of Commons

Deal legislation passed in Commons

Here are some of the key areas on which the government faced scrutiny today as legislation – part of the deal to restore Stormont – passes through the House of Commons amid divisions on the DUP benches over the sea border arrangements.

David Thompson

An artist's impression of the new i4C centre which will be located in the heart of Ballymena. Work is set to set to begin next year on the £20.5 million business hub to drive green energy innovation

Work to begin on £24 million green energy innovation hub in Ballymena

DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson has told party members that Northern Ireland needs a lasting financial settlement to address issues such as public sector pay.

DUP: Stormont collapse has “absolutely no bearing” on budget

Recent flooding in Downpatrick. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

Review into Northern Ireland flooding needed to learn lessons, minister says

The message that went out from the official No 10 Downing Street Instagram account, showing the Republic of Ireland's flag

Downing Street tricolour flag blunder 'down to a junior professional'

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris survives the cabinet reshuffle.

No change at NIO despite Stormont hiatus

Screen grab taken from PA video of former prime minister David Cameron arriving at 10 Downing Street, London, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is conducting a ministerial reshuffle following the sacking of home secretary Suella Braverman. Picture date: Monday November 13, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Reshuffle. Photo credit should read: Sam Hall/PA Wire

Braverman sacked as former PM returns to government

If the simple majority clause of the Belfast Agreement has to be respected, as we are so often told, then so too should the secretary of state’s right to make a decision on any border poll without setting out prior conditions

Owen Polley: UK would be stupid to set out the criteria for a border poll

If he becomes prime minister, as the polls are predicting, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will face calls for constitutional reform​​​​​​​ of the UK - and unionists must ensure they are part of the conversation

Letter: ​Unionists must be part of conversation on constitutional reform

Health and education workers at a strike rally in Belfast earlier this year. The Treasury is failing to invest properly in NI public services, writes DUP MLA Diane Dodds

Diane Dodds: More honesty required in debate over public sector pay disputes

Reconciliation needed before unification suggests ​Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin

Reconciliation needed before unification suggests ​Micheal Martin

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that having a referendum on an important matter that you may not win 'is fraught with risk'

Varadkar: Border poll not a good idea at the moment because it would be defeated

Irish premier Leo Varadkar said there is not enough talk about convincing British people in Northern Ireland “that a united Ireland would be a warm home for them”.

PA reporter

The Home Office said there could be no exemptions

Home Office says Northern Ireland exemption to ETA would hit security efforts

TUV leader Jim Allister has responded to Steve Baker's comments that a “50% plus one” majority would not be advisable for a vote on Irish unification

Jim Allister comments on 'salami slicing of the Union' without consent

The sign outside the Home Office in Westminster, London. Photo: Yui Mok/PA

Home Office says Northern Ireland exemption to ETA would hit security efforts

Morning View

Editorial: A supermajority in a border poll is a good idea but it is too late

Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker (left) and Minister for Finance Michael McGrath attending the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly at the K Club, Kildare

British-Irish relationship 'back on positive trajectory' following Brexit

DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson MP speaking during the DUP's annual conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Devolved government cannot function without financial stability - Robinson

Morning View

Editorial: ​Northern Ireland needs more than gushing ministerial praise

Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson during the Northern Ireland Investment Summit 2023 at the ICC, Belfast.

DUP leader blasts Taoiseach’s ‘megaphone diplomacy’ over Northern Ireland

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (right) with Gordon Lyons speaking to the media during the Northern Ireland Investment Summit 2023 at the ICC, Belfast

My party doesn’t give way to pressure, says Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

Jamie Bryson says: 'No self respecting unionist or loyalist will ever compromise, weaken or give in on the Union'

Jamie Bryson: My message to Steve Baker- I wear the badge 'hardliner' with pride

Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker speaking to the media at Ionic Technologies in Belfast on Tuesday. He appealed to what he called hardline unionists to think of the best interests of Northern Ireland. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

DUP is being pressured by unelected unionists to stay out of Stormont: Baker

Stormont stalemate causing harm to the union, warns minister Steve Baker Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Stormont stalemate causing harm to the union, warns minister Steve Baker

Fly Atlantic plans to launch in Spring 2025

Airline has ambitious plans to revolutionise NI as a hub for US travel

Letters to editor

Letter: Carefully worded and smug comments about unionists from Steve Baker

As the House of Commons gets back to work, the party conference season starts and an event approaches that aims to sell Northern Ireland to foreign investors, you can expect to hear sceptics, who insist that the sea border created intractable problems rather than an enviable business environment, lambasted for spurning opportunities

Owen Polley: Framework propaganda will ramp up for the new parliamentary term

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says his party won't be 'deflected by off stage noises'. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

​Finding a solution to Windsor Framework is only way forward says DUP leader

The self-proclaimed 'hardmen' of Brexit are as wet as the Irish Sea. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (left) and Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker will not like the reality of the DUP commitments

Jamie Bryson: DUP can't backslide and Heaton-Harris and Baker must learn that

UUP leader Doug Beattie said Steve Baker was being brutally honest when he said that the Windsor Framework would not be reopened. Photo: Liam McBurney

UUP says government just ‘brutally honest’ on Windsor Framework

TUV leader Jim Allister said that if Mr Baker's comments were the government position, then "Stormont is dead" for any principled unionist. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

'Operating Windsor Framework from Stormont would dismantle union'

Morning View

Editorial: Once ‘hardline’ Brexiteer Baker puts unhelpful pressure on the DUP

Steve Baker, Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, said the Windsor Framework will not be reopened for negotiations. Photo: PA

Government says Windsor Framework will not be reopened

Jamie Bryson welcomed the findings of the House of Lords report on the Windsor Framework.

Lords report is ‘no basis to restore Stormont’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday. His government replaced eurosceptic Tory committee members so he could pass his NI parcel rules under the Windsor Framework. Picture: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire

Owen Polley: ​No unionist saviour set to emerge from Tory infighting

Steve Baker said he wanted to see 'a consistent and coherent communications strategy' on the rules around ETAs

Tourists travelling into Northern Ireland via Republic will need ETAs

Leo Varadkar’s government should agree similar structures for examining its role in the the past. ​Terrorist atrocities in Northern Ireland were planned from the safe haven of the Republic

Letter: Ireland has questions to answer on the past too

DUP MP Gavin Robinson told the House of Commons that the government was 'gaslighting' Northern Ireland over the budget issue

DUP MP Gavin Robinson: Northern Ireland being gaslighted by government

Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, flew into Inspire Business Park, Dundonald to congratulate Iain Wilson, chief executive of IBC- Music on winning the prestigious Kings Award for Enterprise

NI firm celebrates Minister's visit after being awarded prestigious King’s Award

The loyalist Jamie Bryson and Simon Hoare MP at Queen's University during the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Belfast Agreement on Wednesday April 19 2023. Like Bertie Ahern, Mr Hoare listened intently and engaged with the viewpoints set out

Jamie Bryson: NIO should adopt listening approach of Ahern and Hoare