Speech by Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Robin Swann MLA

Fine Gael Ard Fheis,

Citywest Hotel, Dublin - 17 November 2018

Can I thank Fine Gael for the invitation to speak at your conference today and for the warm welcome I have received.

Now, more than ever in recent history, it is important that we are talking to each other, that we are listening to each other and that we are trying to understand each other’s perspectives and positions.

Relationships have undoubtedly improved between the two parts of this island in the two decades following the signing of the Belfast Agreement. 

The three stranded approach has created an environment which has allowed for partnership to overtake mistrust.  The importance of this approach cannot be disregarded and must be respected and maintained.

The focus largely shifted to being good neighbours, rather than attempting to sneak a victory over one another – well, apart from in the football – and for the record you stole that draw on Thursday night.

But good neighbours must be honest with each other, and that means speaking up when you think the other has overstepped the mark – something that Minister Coveney knows I won’t be shy about doing.

The two years since the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union have brought a tension to the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, and in particular Northern Ireland unionism.

The Ulster Unionist Party did campaign to remain a part of the European Union, however as democrats we accept that the United Kingdom overall voted to leave.

We set our focus on securing the best deal possible for the UK and with that, Northern Ireland.

And the Irish Government said they wanted to see a deal that protected Northern Ireland too.

However, over the last two years it has not felt like we were working to achieve the same objective. 

And to be honest comments from members of this party sometimes were delivered like a poke in the eye to Unionists.

When my party raised legitimate concerns over the backstop, that seemed to be met with a “suck it up” attitude. 

Our concerns aren’t just a short-term knee jerk reaction – because we are a unionist party who thinks strategically and has put the country before party -  our concerns lie with what happens in 5-10 years’ time as Great Britain would inevitably begin to diverge from the European Union, while Northern Ireland would not.

These concerns deserve just as fair a hearing as those of others.

Our party has been clear that we do not want to see the reintroduction of physical structures at the border on the island of Ireland – my party knows more than most the human cost of achieving peace in Northern Ireland.

But we did not see the same understanding from your Government for our concerns about a hard border in the Irish Sea and problems that created for us both as unionists and as an economy which relies heavily on our place in the United Kingdom’s single market.

Because a sea border is a direct challenge to the Belfast Agreement and the principle of consent and is not a concern that should just be waved away.

Given that, at this time, it seems very unlikely that the current withdrawal agreement will progress, there must be a change in tact from your Government and other parties in the south.

Selective reading of the Belfast Agreement and “Ireland first” rhetoric will only serve to stretch relationships.

The reality is that the geography of these islands means we rely heavily on each other.

An aggressive negotiating stance now may lead to adverse consequences in the future.

A bad deal, or no deal, with be catastrophic for us all. 

It is in all our best interests that a withdrawal agreement and future relationship is reached that works.

In the weeks ahead I would urge caution over language, and to have thought for how statements and soundbites will be heard in Northern Ireland – as Terence O’Neill once put it “sensible restraint and common prudence”.

I spoke recently at Queen’s University and I delivered the same message to unionism – that we must be careful with our words.

I believe wholeheartedly that Northern Ireland is best served remaining a part of the United Kingdom, because it advances economic, cultural, emotional and civic well-being.

I know many in this room will disagree with me on that and I will passionately debate it with any one of you, or all of you!

But that’s just it, I want this to be a battle of ideas, not just about who can shout the loudest or cause the most damage.

I want a debate that represents the full diversity of both constitutional aspirations.

Because I know Unionism is a movement.   It is not owned by any one party.

It is made up of all classes and religions and sexual orientations.

And I am tired of it being portrayed to those looking on from outside Northern Ireland as being snide and obnoxious and exclusive.

I came here today, not just to challenge you on your approach, but to also challenge your perceptions.

I care deeply about Northern Ireland, I care deeply about our place in the Union and I will make its case anywhere – ideally I would like to be making that case on the floor of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly, but at this moment in time political intransigence of some parties is preventing that. 

The island of Ireland is made up of a diverse people.  For too long that was exploited as a reason to cause great harm to one another, I want to be part of building a future where it is embraced as a strength.

Let us go forward as good neighbours.