European Election Manifesto 2019 Delivering for Everyone in Northern Ireland European Manifesto 2019
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European Election Manifesto 2019 Delivering for Everyone in Northern Ireland European Manifesto 2019 Contents RT HON ARLENE FOSTER MLA 5 DIANE DODDS MEP 7 LEAVING THE EUROPEAN UNION 9 AN EXPERIENCED REPRESENTATIVE 10 - Delivering Across Northern Ireland 11 - Representing the people of Northern Ireland 11 in the European Parliament - A Record of Delivery For Agriculture 12 - For Innocent Victims Of Terrorism 13 - Protecting The Most Vulnerable 14 - For Tackling Cyber-Bullying And Online Exploitation 14 - For Connecting Local Businesses 15 - For Citizens Travelling Across The EU 15 - For Older People 15 WORKING ON THE POLICIES THAT MATTER TO YOU 16 - Agriculture 18 - Food Supply Chain 19 - The Backstop Threat 20 - Environment 20 - Rural Communities 21 - Fisheries – Righting The Wrong 22 - Sharing The Prosperity Of The United Kingdom 24 - A New Approach 24 - Future Peace And INTERREG Funds 25 - Participation In Other EU Funds 26 - Security 26 - A Fair Share Of Brexit Dividends 27 - Increased Local Powers 27 - Immigration And Skills 28 - A Fair Settlement On Citizens Rights 28 - Cyber-Crime And Internet Safety 29 - European Court of Justice 29 - Innocent Victims 30 - Religious Persecution 31 - An EU Army 31 2 3 Delivering for Everyone in Northern Ireland European Manifesto 2019 Rt Hon Arlene Foster MLA Party Leader On 23rd June 2016, the people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. It was the largest vote in the history of our country. Whatever the variations in the referendum result, from town to town, constituency by constituency, or region to region, it was a national question and we reached a national decision. It was not an English vote, a Scottish vote, a Welsh vote or a Northern Irish vote but a British vote to leave. It is often forgotten that it was the ‘Leave’ vote in Scotland and Northern Ireland that gave the Leave campaign its UK majority. The only rightful and respectful implementation of the mandate from 17.4 million people is for us all to leave the EU on the same terms. It need not and must not be a choice between respecting the result and the Union. In all circumstances, our first priority will be the Union. This is why when the dangers to our precious Union were clear in the Withdrawal Agreement the DUP opposed it and helped defeat it in Parliament on three occasions. Under the leadership of the DUP, Unionism has not found itself alone but drawn support from across the parliamentary parties. I recognise that within Unionism there was a divergence between Leave and Remain. However, our common Unionism means we can all unite in respecting the result and that we should leave as one United Kingdom. I recognise that many nationalists and others within Northern Ireland voted remain. However, I believe we should all unite around a belief in democracy and thus the result should be implemented. There is much work to be done to respect the result and protect our Union. There is much work ahead in the future negotiations. It is only the DUP that has the strength and focus to do so. In this election I encourage you to use your vote and support our experienced candidate Diane Dodds so that we can send a clear message of support for the Union whilst respecting the referendum result. 4 5 Delivering for Everyone in Northern Ireland European Manifesto 2019 Diane Dodds MEP This is not an election I expected. But this is an election that I must fight and I must win – for democracy and for Northern Ireland. Our Parliament decided to call the referendum, to that achieves just that. However, changing the invoke Article 50 and all major parties promised to land border into a sea border in the Irish Sea is respect the result in the last election. moving the problem not solving it. The people’s message was clear. They want to The DUP cannot and will not support trade barriers take back control of our borders, our laws and our within the United Kingdom. money. For the health of our democracy, we must respect and implement the result as one United Throughout the Brexit process the European Union Kingdom. has not shown respect for the United Kingdom’s political or economic integrity or the leave result. The Withdrawal Agreement contains many compromises between Leave and Remain but the On 23rd May, vote DUP to stand up to the EU’s DUP cannot and will not compromise on the Union disrespect. itself as the price of leaving the European Union. The governments’ negotiation strategy has failed to The prioritisation of the All-Ireland market before respect the result and deliver for Northern Ireland. and above all others does not make economic It needs to solve the problem of the backstop. sense for the present or future generations of Northern Ireland. For Northern Ireland to drift On 23rd May, vote DUP to tell the government that further and further away from its main market and we must leave the EU now. potentially excluded from future trade deals is in no one’s real interests. The ‘Remain’ majority in Parliament must not be allowed to disrespect the people’s choice. The DUP and all parties are committed to no hard land border. We are committed to an agreement On 23rd May, make the DUP the strongest voice. 6 7 Delivering for Everyone in Northern Ireland European Manifesto 2019 Leaving the European Union Since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union the Democratic Unionist Party has stood strong for Northern Ireland in exit negotiations. We believe the result of the referendum in 2016 inevitably pull away from its biggest trading must be honoured. market in Great Britain, as there would be internal barriers within the United Kingdom. At this election use your vote to send a message that the referendum result to At this election send a message - leave should be implemented and we NO INTERNAL UK TRADE BARRIERS should have already exited the EU. As we leave the European Union the The Democratic Unionist Party has consistently economic and constitutional integrity and repeatedly indicated that we could not of the United Kingdom must be support the Withdrawal Agreement because of the maintained. construction of the backstop. The DUP does not want to see a hard border This backstop, or protocol, is included in the between Northern Ireland and the Republic of agreement between the EU and the UK Ireland. Equally as we leave the EU we cannot Government and if it became operational, requires support any new trade barriers within the United that Northern Ireland at any time in the future Kingdom. could be subject to the rules of the Customs Union or parts of the Single Market whilst the rest of the The DUP wants to see a sensible agreement UK was not. concluded between the United Kingdom and the European Union that works for all parts of Were the backstop to become operational the United Kingdom. We want to secure the Northern Ireland would sit in a separate legal United Kingdom’s departure from, and our future position from the rest of the United Kingdom in relationship with, the European Union on terms economic and trade terms. that accord with our key objectives to ensure the economic integrity of the United Kingdom In those circumstances there is the strong and respect the democratic outcome of the possibility that we could have a long-term referendum. outcome whereby Northern Ireland would On 23rd May vote to defend the Union and deliver Brexit. 8 9 Delivering for Everyone in Northern Ireland European Manifesto 2019 An Experienced Representative - A Record of Achievement Delivering Across Northern Ireland In addition to speaking, campaigning and voting associations, industry groups, sports clubs and Diane Dodds MEP has represented Northern • Business funding seminars. in Brussels and Strasbourg Diane has assisted bands to help secure European funding for their Ireland in the European Parliament since 2009. • Community-funding workshops in Limavady, a wide and varied series of groups located projects. Diane is well known as a champion for the Omagh, Lurgan, Ballymoney, Portadown, throughout Northern Ireland to secure funding interests of Northern Ireland and has spoken up Banbridge, Templepatrick, Ballynahinch, over the last ten years. Diane also retains a dedicated funding service many times for the issues and causes that matter Newtownabbey, Belfast, Clogher and Dromore. accessible to the public in her full-time Lisburn to you. She has dedicated herself to be a full-time • ‘Signposts to Support Older People’ information From Belfast to Bangor, from Ballybeen to office. Throughout Northern Ireland Diane advocate for Northern Ireland and while others seminars in Rathcoole, Banbridge, Portadown, Bloomfield, from Maguiresbridge to Magheragall, Dodds is known for her ability and determination want to put ‘Ireland first’ the DUP will be putting Limavady, Coleraine, Belfast, Lisburn, Antrim Diane Dodds has been pleased to work with to deliver for local groups seeking funding from Northern Ireland first. and Ballymena. church groups, women’s groups, the Orange Europe. • Innocent victims seminars/visits to Brussels, Order, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, residents In the last term Diane Dodds held: • Human trafficking awareness event with Lord • Rural advice clinics in Newtownards, Clogher, Morrow and the European Christian Political Templepatrick, Portadown and Portrush, Movement in Brussels. Representing the people of Northern Ireland in the European Parliament Diane Dodds MEP has voted: FOR a new PEACE PLUS Programme for AGAINST increases to the EU budget. Northern Ireland post-Brexit. AGAINST the creation of new and expensive FOR a Single Seat for the European EU bodies. Parliament which could save €180million AGAINST a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT).