Month: December 2017

Following that announcement that Theresa May was planning to give the EU a ‘special deal’ in Northern Ireland, David Coburn MEP gave this comment:

“It is a disgrace that the Conservative Government should allow any difference between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK regarding Brexit. The Conservative Party are no longer the party of the Union.

Northern Ireland must leave the European Union under the same terms as the rest of the UK.

Although a soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland should be possible with good will on all sides.

The European Union should not use Northern Ireland to force more money out of the UK and the Irish Republic should not use Brexit to achieve their fantasy of a United Ireland.

The EU, in league with the Irish Republic, are acting contrary to UN Resolution 25/2625 which states that “no state may use or encourage the use of economic political or any other type of measures to coerce another State in order to obtain from it the subordination of the exercise of its sovereign rights and to secure from it advantages of any kind.”

Today’s report, into the devastating 2017 Manchester arena murders, only serve to tell the British public what we knew already. That the culprit, is one of many thousands of Islamist terrorists within our country, who is permitted almost absolute freedom to prepare and conduct acts terrorism, by a weak and incompetent Conservative government.

Richard Bingley, the UKIP Security spokesman said,
“Until June 2017, only 71 trials were prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service Counter Terrorism Division over an entire year. And only 379 arrests were made by police, with 50 per cent of suspects released, during the same period under the Terrorism Act 2000. But we know from leaks within our intelligence services that some 23,000 individuals are of concern, and some 3,000 significantly so. For context, this is a large increase from a decade ago, prior to some 450 jihadis being let back in from fighting in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

“UKIP believes that the Terrorism Act is not fit for purpose. A new Prevention of Terrorism Act is required in order to make explicit the prioritisation of public safety over individuals actively supporting or conducting mass casualty attacks. Furthermore, the irresponsible cuts to our police, border controls, CPS, paramedics and armed forces require total reversal. Other countries such as the USA and France are resourcing up.

“Terror tourists returning from jihadi operations, should be investigated and prosecuted without exception. Finally, minimum sentences for Terrorist offences should be significantly increased. There should be a baseline minimum exceeding at least 25 years in order to guarantee public safety, rehabilitation and a notion of deterrence.”

PETITION: Say NO to any deal that threatens the sovereignty & integrity of the UK

By offering up Northern Ireland as part of a ‘special deal’ with the EU, the Prime Minister would effectively be handing Northern Ireland over to Brussels. 

There should be no hurdles, special status or  ‘economic arrangements’ being introduced that would separate Northern Ireland (or any other part of this nation) from the rest of the UK.

When we leave the EU (which includes single market, customs union and European courts,) we must do so in the same manner in which we entered the European Common Market in 1973: As one United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Send a clear message to the Government. Sign OUR petition today and SAY NO to any deal that would threaten the integrity and sovereignty of the United Kingdom.

*By signing, you agree to be contacted by UKIP with campaign updates / newsletter.

Decisions over a possible deal over the Northern Irish border today have stirred up a hornet’s nest of confusion, but there is an easier way say UKIP.

Gerard Batten MEP, the UKIP Brexit spokesman said,
“The feverish speculation about the EU negotiations and the Northern Irish border with the South has reached absurdity. The idea that the PM could negotiate a deal on the North Irish border without talking to the DUP is beyond credibility. However we do not yet know exactly what Mrs May has agreed or not agreed but it seems to hing on the words regarding ‘no regulatory divergence” as opposed to maintaining “regulatory alignment. In fact the UK in general has ‘regulatory alignment’ with the EU since having been members for 44 years our regulations are identical, or equivalent, to theirs. And now it appears to be so much sound and fury signifying nothing.

“Northern Ireland and its border with the RoI has always been a special case, and there is no reason why special arrangements for the movement of people, goods and services cannot continue post-Brexit.

“What today’s speculation shows is that Mrs May does not have a grip of the situation and is allowing the EU to set the pace in its efforts to undermine and reverse Brexit.

“Things have reached absurd heights when Sadiq Khan, Carwyn Jones and Nicola Sturgeon use the EU’s intransigence to demand UDI in reverse and to remain part of the EU.

“Mrs May should get a grip on the proceedings, she should tell the EU how things are going to work, not keep pleading with them and arguing about the amount of their ransom demand.

“That is unlikely to happen while she is in office. She needs to go now, or Brexit will surely be betrayed.”

There should be no hurdles, special status or  ‘economic arrangements’ being introduced that would  in anyway separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom. It is totally unacceptable that any barrier would exist between the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland. 

Mr Tusk and his cohorts are trying to subvert Northern Ireland in a blatantly aggressive attempt to destabilise our Exit from the EU;  with  no consideration for the people. We must be under no illusions, this is a direct threat to the sovereignty and integrity of this nation. We need look no further than the gleeful reaction to todays events from those Nationalists who seek to divide the Union. 

The European Union has no business attempting to interfere in the internal arrangements of the United Kingdom.

While it’s important that we recognise the context of our land border with the Republic of Ireland: When we leave the European Union, we must leave in exactly the same manner in which we entered the Common Market in 1973- as one United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

When we exit, the Government will have to work closely with the Government of the Irish Republic to ensure mature and sensible co-operation; but within the context of existing arrangements and the common travel area.

It’s undeniable that for each part of the UK, our most important trade, social and cultural relationships are those here – with the rest of this great nation.  The  nature of trade, both domestically within the UK, and across the land border with  the Republic of Ireland highlights the importance of finding a practical solution that avoids a the need for hard border.

We already have a Common Travel Area (*CTA) in place that has operated since the 1920s. As things stand, the internal borders are subject to minimal controls and can normally be crossed by British and Irish citizens.  

In order to allay understandable fears regarding the potential for cross-border crime and abuse of the CTA, digital checks using the latest technology would be a sensible way of enhancing security with minimal fuss. In fact, in 2011 the British and Irish Governments released a joint statement which proposed exactly that; the future development of an “electronic management system to combat the abuse of the CTA.” 

As the European Union is itself in favour of implementing digital checking systems elsewhere in Europe; shouldn’t Brussels be fair and sensible in its treatment of this border?

However; are the EU really behaving like fair and reasonable negotiators?  When Mr. Tusk publicly announced that Irish Prime Minister, Varadkar would have a veto on Britain’s “deal” with the EU – that should have been the final straw for Mrs. May.  The Government should call the EU’s bluff and walk away now. Pull the plug on these absurd negotiations and start making new relationships and deals with the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.

The Government must step up and deliver on  what the people of the United Kingdom voted for on the 23rd of June last year:  Leave means leave.

The events of the past week have again proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that UKIP has never been more important than it is right now across the UK: Standing up for this nation.

There should be no new hurdles, special status or  ‘economic arrangements’ being introduced that would  in anyway separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom.

It is totally unacceptable that any barrier would exist between the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland. 

Mr. Tusk, Mr. Juncker and their cohorts are trying to subvert Northern Ireland in a blatantly aggressive attempt to destabilise our Exit from the EU;  with  no consideration for the people. We must be under no illusions, this is a direct threat to the sovereignty and integrity of this nation. We need look no further than the gleeful reaction to todays events from those Nationalists who seek to divide the Union. 

The European Union has no business attempting to interfere in the internal arrangements of the United Kingdom.

While it’s important that we recognise the context of our land border with the Republic of Ireland: When we leave the European Union, we must leave in exactly the same manner in which we entered the Common Market in 1973- as one United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

When we exit, the Government will have to work closely with the Government of the Irish Republic to ensure mature and sensible co-operation; but within the context of existing arrangements and the common travel area.

It’s undeniable that for each part of the UK, our most important trade, social and cultural relationships are those here – with the rest of this great nation.  The  nature of trade, both domestically within the UK, and across the land border with  the Republic of Ireland highlights the importance of finding a practical solution that avoids a the need for hard border.

We already have a Common Travel Area (*CTA) in place that has operated since the 1920s. As things stand, the internal borders are subject to minimal controls and can normally be crossed by British and Irish citizens.  

In order to allay understandable fears regarding the potential for cross-border crime and abuse of the CTA, digital checks using the latest technology would be a sensible way of enhancing security with minimal fuss. In fact, in 2011 the British and Irish Governments released a joint statement which proposed exactly that; the future development of an “electronic management system to combat the abuse of the CTA.” 

As the European Union is itself in favour of implementing digital checking systems elsewhere in Europe; shouldn’t Brussels be fair and sensible in its treatment of this border?

However; are the EU really behaving like fair and reasonable negotiators?  When Mr. Tusk publicly announced that Irish Prime Minister, Varadkar would have a veto on Britain’s “deal” with the EU – that should have been the final straw for Mrs. May.  The Government should call the EU’s bluff and walk away now. Pull the plug on these absurd negotiations and start making new relationships and deals with the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.

The Government must step up and deliver on  what the people of the United Kingdom voted for on the 23rd of June last year:  Leave means leave.

The events of the past week have again proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that UKIP has never been more important than it is right now across the UK: Standing up for this nation.

Shop Local This Christmas

Although this article refers to North Down your local traders will appreciate your support in the run up to Christmas, but dont forget the rest of the year too!

The great range of boutiques and speciality stores, convenient parking and the opportunity to support the local economy are just some of the reasons to shop in the borough this Christmas. Saturday 2 December is Small Business Saturday and Mayor Councillor Robert Adair said “Many retailers make more than half of their sales and profits in the three months before Christmas.  Our local traders depend on residents to purchase their Christmas shopping in the area to help keep their businesses viable”.

Have a great day out in your local town or village and enjoy some retail therapy!