UKIP Northern Ireland

Commenting on the decision to charge a British Soldier in relation to events on ‘Bloody Sunday’, UKIP Spokesman for Northern Ireland, Robert Hill said:

“The despicable decision to prosecute ‘Soldier F’ for doing his duty on ‘Bloody Sunday’ is just another step in the appeasement of Sinn Fein IRA and their many attempts to re-write history.

“We must not forget that these soldiers and many other service-men came to Ulster to defend us from the evils of terrorism and this precedent means they are now being punished for obeying orders, and risking their lives for their country.

“The IRA were present on the streets, using their own supporters and bystanders as cover to viciously attack and attempt to kill British soldiers. The soldiers had to make split-second, life and death decisions. Defending your colleagues and yourself against terrorists should never have been treated as a crime.”

Commenting further, Robert added:

“The same terror groups are still active today despite our so-called peace agreement’s, as seen lately with the bomb in Londonderry and the suspect packages claimed by the IRA. It is shameful that whilst soldiers are being prosecuted, many of the criminals and terrorists who ambushed them were released twenty years ago. If there’s an amnesty for them, there should be an amnesty for the Armed Forces who were carrying out their duties.

“Today’s decision is a travesty. It also sets a very dangerous precedent going forward. Let us never forget the sacrifice of our brave soldiers in defence of this nation.”

Commenting on Mrs May’s latest negotiation, UKIP Spokesman for Northern Ireland, Robert Hill said:

“This latest attempt by ‘Treason’ May to trick MPs into backing her surrender document is simply a re-hash of everything we already knew. She may well have collected plenty of air miles on her capitulation tour of Europe, but her poor withdrawal deal would still see us trapped permanently inside a  ‘Single Customs Territory.’ Northern Ireland will still be treated separately from the rest of the nation. How can any ‘Unionist’ agree to that?      The United Kingdom is four countries and one nation. It must leave as one nation.

“We will not be divided by the puppet-state Irish Republic and its EU masters.
We will not accept the so-called ‘back-stop.’
We will not accept any ransom demands. We voted to leave the European Union entirely. Only at the point which we have fully left the EU will democracy have been respected and the will of the people delivered. Any attempt to vote this deal through, or to delay the vote further, as called for by the DUP – will not be tolerated by the vast majority of the Unionist population of these islands.”

Commenting further, Robert added:

“Over the next few days, MPs need to respect the democratic wishes of the British public by voting this treacherous deal down. They must object to and vote against any delays or extensions and they must vote for a clear and transparent ‘NO DEAL’ WTO Brexit (also known as actually leaving…) as UKIP has called for all along.

We expect to leave on March 29th as we voted to leave, not for a woeful deal.

To delay is to betray and we, the people won’t stand for it.”

DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson made it clear in the media this week that a mere promise from the EU that there will be an end date to the despicable backstop will be enough for the DUP to betray the electorate and vote for ‘Treason’ May’s treacherous withdrawal deal.

Commenting on this, Robert Hill – UKIP spokesman for Northern Ireland said:

“Is there anything this once great party won’t do to save their positions, their, power and their seats in the VIP section of the gravy-train?

Have they no concerns over the UK Government giving the undemocratic E.U £39 Billion pounds of OUR money while our infrastructure, health and education suffer due to the pressure of uncontrolled immigration forced on us by E.U rules? Do they not care that our fishing industry will continue to be decimated by being tied to E.U. fishing rules? Is it not a concern to them that we would be leaving the E.U. in name only with May’s withdrawal deal?”

Commenting further, Robert added:

“Equally, the DUP: which once positioned itself as the party of morality, law and order in Northern Ireland – now actively ignores and in fact rewards criminality, obviously inspired by its time playing Government with former IRA terrorists.

“The 2019 DUP are busy selecting previously shamed Councillors who are convicted drunk-drivers, others who are known expenses-fiddlers and others still who were found guilty of sexual assault as candidates in the local elections. This is the same DUP that lectures the rest of society. Haven’t they changed?”

“UKIP offers a real alternative to the old politics, – a party that puts the people first, including the 350,000 people here in Northern Ireland who voted leave. We are the only party totally dedicated to a complete and total divorce from the corrupt and failing E.U and its pirates in the Puppet Irish Republic.

“The 29th of March must be the date of our final annulment with the E.U.”

“In addition, we are committed to seeing an end to the politics of carve-up and self-service: Fighting instead for a system of truly accountable and transparent Governance that works for people here.

“Only by supporting UKIP, joining UKIP and voting UKIP can you help us deliver true democracy and independence to the whole of this great nation.“

Commenting on events in the Commons last night, UKIP Spokesman for Northern Ireland, Robert Hill said:

“What a shock to a lot of Northern Ireland citizens and Brexit voters last night as the DUP betrayed their Brexit voting electorate  by voting with Mrs May and voting against a true Brexit. No – Northern Ireland was not on the ballot paper, the United Kingdom was. It is also accepted that the vast majority of those who voted leave here (350,000) were Unionist voters (and 7 of the 10 DUP MPs represent LEAVE voting constituencies)... So when last night – Nigel Dodds led his colleagues through the lobby to vote against a true EU exit and thus in favour of a Government plan which would see us tied to the EU as a vassal state – the DUP made a conscious decision to ignore their own leave voting electorate. 

“All week long we have been reading about the splits within the DUP on Brexit. They have now been exposed bare. The DUP either caved into pressure, or they showed their true colours once more. Only UKIP offers a true United vision and plan for Brexit and our dedicated representatives are determined to ensure that the will of the people across this nation is delivered. 

“We in Northern Ireland must all realise that remaining an essential and equal part of an Independent and outward-looking  United Kingdom is far more important than appeasing the demands of teŕrorists through the flawed and antiquated  systems propped up by ‘agreements’ of the past. There is a false narrative being peddled by many in the media about what is really happening in Northern Ireland. Truth: We have a broken and outdated system of non-government which has been held up by the ‘bully-boys’ in Sinn Fein for two years.

The DUP and the other parties here have been happy to take a salary for not fully doing their jobs. The DUP has again opted to go down the path of least establishment resistance by siding with those who wish for the United Kingdom to remain trapped by the EU. In doing so, they’ve ensured that their profitable positions as the supply partner of this failing Government remains in tact.”

Commenting further, Robert added:

“Thankfully May’s ‘not really leaving the EU’ motion backed by the DUP was defeated. We, the leave voting people of the United Kingdom will not be bullied into anything. We are a free people and have decided that we are far better off liberated from the shackles of the EU, its plan for a United States of Europe, its army and its National Socialist origins!

“350,000 LEAVE voters here in Northern Ireland now need to take stock of the actions of their MPs in Parliament last night. The DUP will clearly do whatever is in their interests, putting themselves first. It’s worth repeating: Only UKIP can be trusted on Brexit.”

A recent article in the Belfast Telegraph once again exposes the discontent that’s rife within the DUP ranks over Brexit. This was Abundantly clear to anyone close to DUP thinking – despite the external pronouncements by some.

Commenting on all of this, UKIP Spokesman for Northern Ireland, Robert Hill said:

“The question has to be asked: Have the DUP ever been fully committed to truly leaving the EU? Was it money that swayed them to decide to support Brexit to a point in the run up to the referendum? Apart from Sammy Wilson – many senior members of the DUP have remained quiet on such an important issue. Only Sammy appears to have been consistently publicly committed to actually exiting the EU.

“There have been mixed messages ever since the referendum and splits started to appear not long after the vote, with members both publicly and privately refusing  to say how they voted – most notably among them was the then Finance Minister Simon Hamilton and former senior advisor, Richard Bullick. Beneath the surface of the public facade are DUP members who would be quite content if the largest vote in history was betrayed. Some within their ranks wouldn’t be fussed if the entire United Kingdom was wedded to a customs union. As is always the case, the DUP are simply holding meetings and waiting for a form of words that they can repackage and spin to the electorate. “

“What is revealing is that amongst the few members willing to publicly speak out are a former chair of the South Belfast DUP association, David Cather and Bangor Councillor – Tom Smith. Both of them were previously and consistently opposed to Brexit. I wonder how many share their views, but won’t speak out for fear of de-selection or disciplinary proceedings?”

Commenting further, Robert added:

“The truth is, there is no mythical ‘good deal’ with the EU. The EU will never negotiate in good faith because they don’t want us to leave. Only by walking away fully can we embrace the opportunities that Brexit will deliver for the nation. I’ve yet to hear a DUP member say that.

“In stark contrast to their half-hearted approach to Brexit, the discontent and the mixed messages: Every single member of UKIP across the United Kingdom will happily confirm they voted to leave, and nothing less than a complete and total withdrawal from the European Union, the Customs Union and the Single Market on March 29th will do.

It is an accepted fact that the vast majority of Unionists in Northern Ireland voted to leave. So those who voted leave should realise that only by voting for UKIP can you ensure your vote goes to the authentic party of Brexit and a true Brexiteer.”

Commenting on the Stormont Gravy train and the continued farce of MLAs taking a salary for nothing, UKIP Spokesman for Northern Ireland, Robert Hill said:

“The farce dominating Northern Ireland politics, namely ‘the White Elephant’ Stormont, needs to be brought to an end now. A recent online poll by UKIP in Northern Ireland revealed unsurprisingly, that 92% of respondents were unhappy with the current system of devolved Government in Northern Ireland. This follows other polls conducted elsewhere recently which prove that people are frustrated with this long-running saga. Although by no means scientific, it’s a snap-shot of the public mood towards our non-legislating legislature.

“The latest figures revealed this week by Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley show that our shameful MLAs from the old parties have managed to claim £10.8 Million of our money in wages and expenses during their last two years of inactivity.

“We have funded this two year holiday for them while civil servants do their job, local schools ask parents for donations, people are in pain on waiting lists for major operations, our health Service suffers – and in some cases, people are relying on food banks to feed their families.”

“Much has been made of the recent two-tiered cuts to their wages; but even after these cuts fully kick in, each MLA will still manage to pocket a salary of £35,888 of your money to NOT sit in the Assembly and do the job we pay them to do.

“The old parties – aided and abetted by Mrs May’s Government are happy to allow this shambles to continue – as they blame everyone else but themselves. This highlights the deep-rooted flaws at the heart of our antiquated institutions.”

Commenting further, Robert added:

“Today, the great and the good of Northern Ireland will pull on their best suits to line-up and pose for photos whilst listening to Mrs May attempting to sell her woeful betrayal deal. They will put on a stage-managed show with the Prime Minister, and everyone will ignore the two elephants in the room: 1.) Her deal and its backstop is a dud that denies democracy, threatens the Union and betrays the people of this nation and 2.) Stormont is dead.”

“It is time for real change here and time for local politics to be delivered from the grassroots up. Only UKIP offers this change. Only UKIP is saying enough is enough and we’ll soon be highlighting our alternatives that put the people, not politicians first.

“We are calling for a permanent end to the Stormont gravy-train NOW. Maybe Mrs May could do us a favour and deliver for the people of Northern Ireland today by pulling the plug on this expensive farce.. We won’t hold our breath.”

Commenting on the votes last night in the House of Commons, UKIP Spokesman for Northern Ireland, Robert Hill said:

“After last night’s vote and the European Union’s response – where they made it abundantly clear that they won’t change one word of May’s Withdrawal Agreement, it should be clear to even the most ardent anti-democratic Remainers that UKIP, the only true Brexit party has been right all along –  the Irish Border issue was always a political issue twisted and manipulated by remainers to try and and stop our Exit from the European Union. As we have always said, the backstop is neither wanted or needed.

“The idiotic idea of paying the E.U. £39 Billion for this surrender document should be scrapped altogether,  and the democratic will of the British people must be enacted by leaving the shackles of the E.U. and using WTO rules to operate and trade freely as the fifth largest economy with the rest of the World.”

Commenting further, Robert added:

“Roll on 29th March 2019 when we walk away and leave the failing European Union as one United Kingdom. We will have taken back our freedom as an independent, sovereign nation state: Free to make our own laws, free to fish in our own waters and free to trade and co-operate globally with other nations.”

Longtime UKIP Party Member and Activist, Raymond Stewart has been selected by the party as a candidate for the May Local Government Elections in the Three Mile Water DEA in Newtownabbey

Commenting on his selection, Mr Stewart said:

“I am delighted to have been selected by UKIP to contest the council elections in May. I welcome the opportunity to be able to offer the people of Three Mile Water the authentic party of a Brexit, and a patriotic, UK Unionist alternative.

“UKIP is back up in the polls, membership is growing locally and nationally – and as the political establishment actively try to deny 17.4 Million people their democratic right- a full exit from the EU – many will rightly ask: Why should ever trust them with our vote again?

UKIP is the only party locally or nationally calling for a full and complete exit from the EU. We didn’t vote for a deal on the EU’s terms which costs us £39 Billion; we voted to leave completely. If we haven’t done so on March 29th, the people will have been betrayed.”

“UKIP will be contesting the council elections with a clear message and full range of policies. Standing up for a Real Brexit, for freedom of speech, for local democracy, for the Union,  and standing up for the nation.”

We in UKIP, unlike every other party throughout the United Kingdom are, and always have been very clear and united on where we stand on Brexit. We, unlike every other party in the United Kingdom have always had a clean plan for Brexit and for what happens next. 

Unlike the hypocrites in the DUP – we do not support ‘Treason’ May, and after such a devastating defeat last night, we stand with Brexiteers across the country who rightly believe that she should resign immediately.

Unlike the DUP and other so-called Unionist parties – we do not want another dodgy deal from the unaccountable European Union which attempted to annex Northern Ireland by stealth in the last one. The European Union would never give us a good deal – as they never wanted us to leave in the first place. 

We believe that the British Government is NOT here to serve the will of the Irish Republic, the EU27 or indeed its mainstream media supporters. The British Government are the servants of us,  its citizens. It is now time for the Government to honour its promises and deliver what we voted for: A complete withdrawal  from the shackles of the undemocratic European Union.

The politicians who were elected to serve the people must put the people first and must now repeal the European Communities Act immediately – and leave on our terms, so that the United Kingdom (as the fifth largest economy in the world), can freely trade and co-operate with the rest of the world – that includes the USA and the 90% of future Global Growth outside the failing EU.

Only UKIP offer the electorate a clear way forward for the entire United Kingdom.  Only a vote for UKIP can deliver the clean and clear Brexit we originally voted for. UKIP is the party that is standing up for the hard working men and women of this nation – in all corners of it.

By Robert Hill – UKIP Spokesman for Northern Ireland