Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has said that the June 8 General Election is not a re-run of the EU referendum.

Jim Nicholson MEP said:

“Despite what some would have you believe the General Election on June 8 is not a re-run of last year’s referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union and I say that as someone who supported ‘Remain’.  

“The result is the result; the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union.  The focus must now be on delivering the best deal for the United Kingdom and within that, for Northern Ireland.

“This election is about the very future of the United Kingdom.  The forthcoming Brexit negotiations will have a direct impact upon the lives of all our citizens and define our external relations for generations to come.  That is why it is vital we elect MPs who will take their seats and fight for the best deal possible rather than those who would focus on trying to unpick the Union.

“We joined the then EEC as one United Kingdom and we will leave the European Union as one United Kingdom - that is the reality of the situation.  There can be no special status for regions, no measures that would introduce an internal United Kingdom border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.  The constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom must not be undermined in any way during the up-coming negotiations. 

“In addition, we do not want to see a hard border created between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland once the United Kingdom exits the European Union. 

“Given what is at stake Northern Ireland must return MPs to Westminster who have the best interests of Northern Ireland and its people at heart to ensure that the Brexit negotiations produce the best deal possible for the United Kingdom as a whole, an outcome that secures and strengthens the linkages between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  We must not lose sight of the significance of this election.”