Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:

“2020 should be the year that provides hope for all the people of Northern Ireland and sees a wind of change blowing through local politics. It can be an opportunity to break the logjam and demonstrate to the people of Northern Ireland that local politicians can deliver. However that will require all of us to build trust and mutual respect across all communities.

“The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to engaging positively and respectfully in the days and weeks ahead to help deliver better government through a restored and reformed Assembly and Executive. That will require a change in culture and approach from all parties which has been lacking in the past, but which can be delivered by a change in attitude. Our health service is in crisis, our schools need help, and we need to build a better society for future generations. That will also mean addressing wider issues such as the impact of climate change and working towards all our children being educated together.

“As unionists we will work to demonstrate to everyone that the Union is a comfortable home for everyone. There will be many challenges ahead, including Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan, but we will seek to lessen the negative impact it has on relationships within Northern Ireland and the Union itself. As Northern Ireland looks towards its second century, the Ulster Unionist Party will help create the conditions for a settled future for our country, a society which offers hope of a brighter future for all our children and encourages them to stay and prosper here. That will mean a greater focus on job creation and making Northern Ireland a more attractive place to invest in, with a combination of indigenous business and foreign direct investment.

“On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party I wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful New Year.”