--- election_year: 2017 party_id: uup party_name: Ulster Unionist Party party_leader: Mike Nesbitt political_spectrum: centre-right victory: false government_outcome: opposition sections: - economy - health - education - defence - foreign-policy - law-and-order - welfare - democracy-and-constitution --- # Ulster Unionist Party Manifesto 2017 ## Northern Ireland for a Stronger, Better Union ## General Election Manifesto | 2017 **Ulster Unionist Party** --- ## Contents * Foreword by Robin Swann MLA — 01 * A Record of Achievement — 03 * Strengthening the Union — 04 * Making Brexit Work — 06 * Fixing Stormont — 07 * Notes — 08 --- ## Foreword ## Ulster Unionist Party Leader I am delighted to present our manifesto for the Westminster election on June 8. When I became Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party I spoke of the need for unionism to become more confident, more outward looking and more embracing. There is no doubt whatsoever - not only in my mind but that of nearly all rational observers - that Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales are far stronger together than we would ever be apart. The Ulster Unionist Party is best placed to promote the message that a strong, confident and prosperous United Kingdom, of which Northern Ireland is an integral part, is the best outcome for us all. I am asking for your vote to help build a stronger, better Union for everyone. I am incredibly proud of the record of the Ulster Unionist MPs in the House of Commons over the last two years. Working closely with their colleagues in the House of Lords they have far exceeded the impact of other Northern Ireland MPs. It is my hope and expectation that both Tom Elliott and Danny Kinahan will be returned with others in order to allow them to continue with their work. The Prime Minister has described this election as one of the most important in her lifetime. I agree. The 18 men and women elected to the House of Commons will be representing Northern Ireland at an incredibly important period of our history. The decision made by the United Kingdom on the 23 June 2016 was momentous. Whether you voted remain or leave, the reality now is that we will be exiting the European Union. The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to ensuring the UK, and Northern Ireland in particular, gets the best possible deal. It is essential therefore, that in an absence of an Executive, Northern Ireland sends MPs to Parliament who will ensure our priorities remain to the fore. The Ulster Unionist Party is best placed to represent the interests of Northern Ireland at Parliament. The false cries of Sinn Fein, who remained virtually silent throughout the entire referendum campaign but who now claim to be the most opposed to the result, are undermined by their refusal to take seats at Westminster. An abstentionist MP is no MP at all. For every seat not taken, that is one less voice speaking up for NI. As the UK faces up to all the challenges that Brexit will bring it is essential that all the constituent regions of our country remain strong and united. Yet there remain those who constantly try to chip away at the Union. Of course I realise that for many people the unprecedented waiting times crisis in our health service, the continuing injustice for the victims of a brutal 30 year terrorist campaign, the shortfall in frontline PSNI numbers, or the major uncertainty surrounding school budgets may well be the most pressing issue for you and your family right now. You can find recent and detailed policies on each of these issues, as well as many others, in our Assembly manifesto from only three months ago at www.uup.org. All Ulster Unionist MPs elected will champion these policies for you at Westminster. ## Our top 5 key issues for Northern Ireland are: 1. **Strengthening Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom** and ensuring we secure the best deal possible as we prepare to exit the European Union. Despite having potentially the most to lose from a bungled Brexit deal, Northern Ireland remains by far the least prepared of any UK region. This issue is so important to all our futures that we need the best deal, not just any deal, or worse, no deal at all. 2. **Addressing the legacy of the past** in a proportionate manner, whilst also meeting the immediate needs of victims and survivors. We will vehemently oppose efforts to rewrite the reality of the past and tackle unfair aspersions cast against legitimate actions of our security forces. 3. **Fixing Stormont** and restoring public confidence in the local institutions. The immense problems across our public services are being exacerbated by the stalemate at Stormont. A local Assembly, with local Ministers, is the best place to make decisions on behalf of all our people. 4. **A healthcare system** that looks to the future and provides quality care to people at the time they need it. The current system is broken and is in urgent need of reform. We would start at the very top and merge the five existing Trusts and put in place an operationally independent Chief Executive of the NHS in Northern Ireland. 5. **A world-class education system** that allows our young people to reach their full potential. In order to provide them with the best opportunities, we will put in place the building blocks of educating future generations of children together in a single education system. These are the issues which local politicians should be focussing most on, yet in the event of an Executive not being formed and direct rule returning, local MPs at Westminster will have an even more essential and influential role. They will be our only counterweight to Direct Rule Ministers who will be detached and unfamiliar with the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. I am asking you to vote Ulster Unionist on 8 June. This election has been called as a result of Brexit, but it is about much more than that. On any one of the issues that Parliament will be called upon to decide over the next five years, Ulster Unionist MPs can and will be the best advocates for Northern Ireland. Robin Swann MLA Ulster Unionist Party Leader --- ## A Record of Achievement In 2015 the Ulster Unionist Party presence returned to the House of Commons. Fermanagh and South Tyrone had its voice back after 14 years of silence and South Antrim now had a local MP in touch with its constituents. Both Tom Elliott and Danny Kinahan have proved to be highly effective MPs. Over the last two years they have developed a wealth of contacts across all political parties, and have been strong advocates for everyone in Northern Ireland. ## Notable achievements include: * **Justice for victims:** Leading from the front in campaigning for justice for victims of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland. This included establishing a landmark cross-party group to campaign for compensation for victims of Libyan sponsored IRA terrorism. Tom secured debates on the issue, and along with Danny has worked with Lord Empey to seek to use frozen Libyan assets to fund compensation. * **Support for Security Forces:** Our MPs were instrumental in obtaining support of MPs and Peers to exert pressure on Her Majesty's Government to stand by our brave men and women in the Armed Forces and Police. Danny secured a vital debate on the matter before the election announcement. * **NI Affairs Committee:** Danny's work on the committee has been invaluable in raising issues on the fragility of the NI electricity market, getting ready for Brexit, and support for victims. * **Brexit Readiness:** Respecting the democratic wishes expressed in the EU referendum, our MPs have voted in favour of triggering Article 50 at every stage. They presented the document 'A Vision for Northern Ireland outside the EU' directly to the Prime Minister in November 2016. * **Tax Credit U-turn:** Helped force the Government into a U-turn on proposed major cuts to tax credits which would have forced many in low paid jobs out of work. * **APPG on the Union:** Single-handedly created the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Union to work on a strategy to maintain a Union that helps citizens thrive. * **Military Covenant:** Continued to press for the full implementation of the Military Covenant in Northern Ireland to ensure local veterans are as respected as those in the rest of the UK. * **WASPI Campaign:** Spoke up for thousands of women unfairly treated by changes to the State Pension, presenting petitions and lobbying for fair transitional arrangements. * **Rural Broadband:** Tom Elliott secured major commitments from the Government regarding the problem of poor rural broadband in Northern Ireland. * **Education Leadership:** Danny Kinahan, as Chair of the APPG on Education at Westminster, has been instrumental in the development of new education policy at a UK level. --- ## Strengthening the Union The United Kingdom is one of the most successful political Unions ever — a nation with a proud history and a great future that Northern Ireland is integral to. While some commentators refer to Northern Ireland as a 'statelet', the UK is actually one of the largest economies in the world with a GDP of nearly $3 Trillion. As a Party, we believe the best option for all our people, regardless of religion, race, or background, is to remain part of the United Kingdom. Despite these benefits, there are those determined to undermine the Union, such as the SNP in Scotland or those calling for a border poll in Northern Ireland without evidence of public demand. Ulster Unionist MPs will be champions for the Union, ensuring Northern Ireland's voice is heard loudly in the House of Commons. We will be persuaders for the Union in a respectful and dignified manner. Denigrating other people's culture or language is not the sort of Unionism we embrace. ## The Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland means: 1. Better opportunities to work, live, and learn anywhere in the UK. 2. Benefits of belonging to the world's sixth largest economy. 3. Economic and fiscal union with a stable currency and lower interest rates. 4. Better healthcare through the NHS, free at the point of delivery. 5. A more stable local economy and safety for your money. 6. More money to fund public services. 7. Protections of the welfare state, including pensions. 8. Stronger security and defence at home and abroad. 9. Membership in a powerful political Union and successful democracy. 10. A nation of tolerance, respect, and shared democratic values. --- ## Making Brexit Work The decision to leave the EU has been made; this election is about getting the best deal for Northern Ireland and resisting those using Brexit to unpick the Union. The absence of a local Executive puts us at a disadvantage. We reject calls for 'special status' as it would put Northern Ireland on the fringes of the Union and could lead to immigration controls or trade barriers with Great Britain. ## Our five key Brexit priorities are: 1. No hard border, or internal borders within the United Kingdom. 2. Future-proofing our economy by investing in skills and infrastructure. 3. Providing assurance for those currently in receipt of EU funds (e.g., PEACE, Interreg). 4. Maintenance of the Common Travel Area. 5. Establishing a dedicated Executive Unit as a coherent voice for Northern Ireland. --- ## Fixing Stormont Northern Ireland needs a functioning Assembly and Executive. Public confidence has been damaged by scandals like RHI and NAMA, but the institutions must be re-established with fundamental reforms. ## Essential reforms include: 1. Better regulation of internal Executive operations and engagement standards. 2. Reforming the budgetary process for improved transparency and scrutiny. 3. Making Ministers accountable for breaches of the Ministerial Code and ending the free-reign of Special Advisers. 4. Strengthening Assembly committees to give them a duty to scrutinise expenditure and policies. 5. Fundamental reform of the Petition of Concern, limiting it to legislation with independent arbitration. --- ## Your Ulster Unionist Candidates * **Hazel Legge** — Belfast East * **Michael Henderson** — Belfast South * **John Stewart** — East Antrim * **Richard Holmes** — East Londonderry * **Tom Elliott** — Fermanagh & South Tyrone * **Robbie Butler** — Lagan Valley * **Mark Glasgow** — Mid Ulster * **Sam Nicholson** — Newry & Armagh * **Jackson Minford** — North Antrim * **Danny Kinahan** — South Antrim * **Harold McKee** — South Down * **Mike Nesbitt** — Strangford * **Doug Beattie** — Upper Bann * **Alicia Clarke** — West Tyrone **Ulster Unionist Party** Strandtown Hall, 2-4 Belmont Road, Belfast BT4 2AN