The Ulster Unionist deputy Mayor of Carrickfergus, Councillor
John Stewart has expressed his amazement at comments by the Alliance
Party MLA Anna Lo in which she stated her support for a united Ireland.
Councillor Stewart said;
“I was amazed at comments by the Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo in which she said that a united Ireland would be “better placed economically, socially and politically.”
“Anna Lo is totally wrong on all three counts and her comments display a complete lack of awareness of economic realities.
“As a businessman I can assure her that Northern Ireland is far better served economically as part of the United Kingdom rather than as part of a united Ireland. Does the Alliance Party really believe that the £8 billion subvention we receive from London every year could be supplied by the Dublin Government? Are Alliance unaware of the economic catastrophe which befell the Republic as part of the Eurozone, requiring a massive bailout from Brussels and ironically, London!
“Indeed since Partition, the Republic can hardly point to a legacy of economic success. Generation after generation of the Republic’s citizens were forced to emigrate – ironically, many to Great Britain - to seek work and a better life. The presence of large Irish communities in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow are testament to the fact that hundreds of thousands of the Republic’s own citizens certainly didn’t believe that Ireland was or is a more viable economic option that the United Kingdom.
“Socially there is also no doubt in my mind that we are better off with the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom offers a more open, inclusive, multi-cultural, multi faith society, which I embrace and cherish.
“Politically, the Republic has had to come to terms with a legacy of corruption inquiries such as McCracken, Moriarty, Flood and Mahon. Are Alliance seriously suggesting we would have been better off under such a political system?
“The Alliance Party Leader David Ford needs to confirm very quickly if it is now official Alliance Party policy to call for a United Ireland and to make that clear to the electorate in advance of the Council and European elections.”
Councillor Stewart said;
“I was amazed at comments by the Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo in which she said that a united Ireland would be “better placed economically, socially and politically.”
“Anna Lo is totally wrong on all three counts and her comments display a complete lack of awareness of economic realities.
“As a businessman I can assure her that Northern Ireland is far better served economically as part of the United Kingdom rather than as part of a united Ireland. Does the Alliance Party really believe that the £8 billion subvention we receive from London every year could be supplied by the Dublin Government? Are Alliance unaware of the economic catastrophe which befell the Republic as part of the Eurozone, requiring a massive bailout from Brussels and ironically, London!
“Indeed since Partition, the Republic can hardly point to a legacy of economic success. Generation after generation of the Republic’s citizens were forced to emigrate – ironically, many to Great Britain - to seek work and a better life. The presence of large Irish communities in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow are testament to the fact that hundreds of thousands of the Republic’s own citizens certainly didn’t believe that Ireland was or is a more viable economic option that the United Kingdom.
“Socially there is also no doubt in my mind that we are better off with the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom offers a more open, inclusive, multi-cultural, multi faith society, which I embrace and cherish.
“Politically, the Republic has had to come to terms with a legacy of corruption inquiries such as McCracken, Moriarty, Flood and Mahon. Are Alliance seriously suggesting we would have been better off under such a political system?
“The Alliance Party Leader David Ford needs to confirm very quickly if it is now official Alliance Party policy to call for a United Ireland and to make that clear to the electorate in advance of the Council and European elections.”
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