The DUP slogan in the 2007 Assembly Election was “Getting it Right”. That election took place nearly five years after the Assembly had been suspended in October 2002, but it was the commencement of the most stable period of devolved government in nearly 40 years.
Then, as now, the path to progress wasn’t straightforward. There were many bends and twists on the route. Plenty of advice was offered and there were critics who would have said yes to anything whilst others would have said no to everything. Some took their eyes off the destination whilst others were never really interested in getting there at all.
This week in Parliament Gregory Campbell highlighted our world-class broadband access, with Northern Ireland having the highest percentage accessibility for gigabit capable broadband in the UK and twice that of the Republic of Ireland. That level of access hasn’t happened by accident, but is again the result of DUP vision, setting a target and not losing focus until it has been achieved.
In 54 days, people will go to the polls to elect their local Councillors. In 2019 DUP candidates pledged to deliver real change for people with disabilities. The target was set and across every Council area in Northern Ireland there are now accessible play facilities and other services that are making a real difference because of our determination to reach the goal.
The Council elections will likely be dominated with references to the current political situation and the fact they take place in the absence of a functioning Assembly. But the one lesson everyone should remember from the last election is that split votes hand seats to non-unionists.
Whilst some unionists are solely interested in attacking the DUP in search of an electoral advantage, I am sticking to our plan. This is not the time to lose focus.
I want to see a return to stable devolved government in Northern Ireland. But that won’t be achieved without arrangements that unionists as well as nationalists can support. The Windsor Framework represents progress, but there is more work to do.
The progress made to date was only achieved through determined action by the DUP. We remain focused on the goal because through restoring Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom it provides the solid foundation for a return to devolution.
We’re still focused on ‘Getting it Right’.
Thank you again for your support.
Best wishes,
