The Ulster Unionist Leader, Robin Swann MLA, has stated that that the Prime Minister`s priority should be to preserve the constitutional integrity, economic integrity and unity of the United Kingdom.
Ulster Unionist Leader, Robin Swann MLA, said:
“The joint statement from the Prime Minister and Taoiseach is very light on detail, but I sincerely hope that they are engaged positively and meaningfully in finding a solution to ensure that the United Kingdom leaves the EU in an orderly manner with an agreement. However, let`s be absolutely clear that the backstop cannot be the basis for agreement. There are alternatives and we have presented our own.
“There have already been a couple of attempts to shoe-horn Northern Ireland into becoming an EU protectorate and separate us from the rest of the United Kingdom. That should not be an acceptable way forward to any British Prime Minister as it would rip apart the very fabric of the Belfast Agreement and the principle of consent. I hope that we won`t see the current Prime Minister doing so. However I was concerned to hear Mr Johnson asking ‘can we protect the economic unity of the island of Ireland…?.’ His priority should be to preserve the constitutional and economic integrity and unity of the United Kingdom.
“The fact is Northern Ireland unionists of all shades are potentially being hung out to dry by a UK Government that has taken its eye off the ball and an Irish Government that has wrapped itself in the flag regardless of the risks posed to our economy and their own.”