Andy Allen

Speech at the Ulster Unionist Party Conference

#UUP2014

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Good Afternoon Conference.

My name is Andy Allen and I recently joined the Ulster Unionist Party.

I would like to further add to what we have heard from the previous speakers regarding our health service.

I have experienced first hand the commitment and dedication of our health care workers, throughout the health service, after being injured in Afghanistan whilst serving with the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment in 2008.

Upon arriving back to the UK, I was initially treated in England for a number of months until I was deemed medically fit enough to return home to Northern Ireland. At this point my primary care began to be transferred home.

I would like to take a few moments to talk a bit about my experience of our health care system.

I recall one particular experience when, after a major operation, I was at home recovering when I suffered an infection in one of my legs - it was then I witnessed first hand a health service that was becoming overstretched.

After being brought into A&E by Ambulance staff I was initially triaged - then left on a trolly - in a corridor, to wait for hours while the overstretched team of doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to sort through a packed A&E.

I have, through my work with AA Veterans Support, heard various other instances where our health service is increasingly becoming compromised, clearly heading towards breaking point.

I recognise that our National Health Service is designed to provide high quality and reliable support to every man, woman and child living in our nation. It is unfortunate that due to continued lack of funding and, more frustratingly, a lack of interest from certain Stormont parties, that our NHS is becoming less fit for purpose daily.

But this is not the only failure of those parties running, or should that be ruining, Stormont. As a veteran I am proud of the history and tradition of the service given by the men and women of our Armed Forces from this part of our United Kingdom.

This year we recognised, with rightful and sombre respect, the 100th anniversary of what is known as the war to end all wars. Unfortunately, the First World War was anything but that. Even today we continue to stand against forces of evil who would destroy everything previous generations have given to preserve democracy and freedom.

The debt paid by the men and women of this island, who stood up when called to protect those values, often paying the ultimate sacrifice, is not something I need to explain to anyone in this room. That debt is a debt that can never be repaid, although all of us who stood against evil and hatred did not do it for recognition, we did it because it was right.

The least we as a nation can do is repay the men and women of our Armed Forces, and their families with the best front line services possible.

I have spoken with various people over the last number of months who feel a nod and a wink behind closed doors is enough when it comes to looking after the men and women of our armed forces and their families here in Northern Ireland.

Well I'm sorry, but for me and many others who have and continue to wear the uniform of our Armed Forces, those who signed the blank cheque up to the value of our lives, the message is simply, enough is enough. While we do not ask for special treatment, or recognition, we do ask for the same support as is offered to our brothers and sisters in arms in Scotland, England and Wales.

I work day and daily with individuals and their families who feel that they or their loved ones’ service to Queen and country is not a badge of honour but a passport to second class citizenship.

The failure to implement the same legislation that provides the right support for healthcare, housing and training to our veterans and their families in the rest of our United Kingdom here in Northern Ireland is an act of disrespect for every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform, regardless of whether they were born in Glasgow, Belfast or Dublin.

This issue can no longer be ignored, with the hope from some parties that our veterans will be quiet and take what they are given. This is an insult that undermines the very core of what our nation stands for, which is why I call today, here in front of you, for the full implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant in Northern Ireland.

If we are afraid to stand up for those who stood up for our proud nation, we further open the door to the very evil we have fought so long to defend our land against.

Thank you.