May’s friendly greeting to DUP opposition MPS a ‘step too far’
Investing in Northern Ireland to rebalance the economy will also benefit everyone in the UK
THERESA May has been accused by Tory MPS of going a “step too far” by describing the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party as an “honourable friend” in Parliament.
Mrs May used the term to describe Nigel Dodds during Prime Minister’s Questions despite the fact he and his fellow DUP MPS sit on the opposition benches in the Commons chamber.
Mr Dodds said in an article in today’s Daily Telegraph that his party’s decision to support the minority Tory Government would “bring greater stability and prosperity for everyone in this great Kingdom”.
Parliamentary protocol dictates that MPS from opposing parties should refer to one another as “honourable members”, reserving the term “friend” for colleagues in their own party.
During the Coalition between 2010 and 2015, Conservative and Liberal Democrat ministers regularly addressed each other as “friend”, as they were part of the same government.
The DUP has decided to remain an opposition party despite agreeing the “confidence and supply” deal to back Mrs May’s minority government.
A Conservative source insisted: “That is the terminology in which both parties will be addressing each other. Several ministers over several days, certainly on our side, have referred to the DUP as our honourable friends.”
Tory MPS were divided about the use of the language. One said “for some of us it is a step too far” given the DUP had not agreed to support all of the Government’s policies
But Jacob Rees-mogg, a Tory MP and unofficial arbiter on Parliamentary etiquette, said: “The rules of debate are there to ensure courtesy, not to delineate party support. The ‘friend’ and ‘gentleman’ is a habit not a rule. The courtesy is the rule. The ‘friend/gentleman’ is the habit.”
Even before the British people voted in the general election, we knew this Parliament was going to be a truly historic one. The result means the Democratic Unionist Party will now make an unexpected and unprecedented contribution to the next chapter of our precious Union.
The responsibility is not one we take lightly. The DUP has approached it with a commitment to do what is in the national interest and to deliver for all parts of the community in Northern Ireland. In the agreement with the Conservatives we fulfilled those goals.
The terrible terrorist attacks during the election campaign demonstrate the threats to our nation’s security. This is why it was right to place the security of our people at the centre of our agreement with the Conservatives. There is no greater responsibility of government than the protection of the lives of its citizens and the defence of the nation itself.
With international instability, it is vital that our Armed Forces are prepared as best as they can be. If our servicemen and women are asked to go into battle, they must know that our nation will keep its covenant with them in full and in every part of the United Kingdom. They must not face enemy fire wondering whether an unbalanced investigation into their decisions will take place decades from now. Their commitment is also not dictated by whether they hail from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. So they should not be treated differently after they have served because they happen to reside in a particular part of our nation. We are working to ensure that servicemen and women in Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged in any way.
This Parliament is charged with delivering the people’s decision to leave the EU, and fully utilising new powers for the betterment of people across the UK. The country voted to leave the EU. Parliament must now deliver upon that. Any attempt to subvert the referendum result would be catastrophic.
Behind some of the pre-negotiation rhetoric there have been positive indications from the Government and EU negotiators that solutions can be found to the land frontier between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic. It is in the interests of all sides to deliver a sensible outcome.
The Conservative Party and the DUP share the principles of supporting the Union and delivering a more prosperous United Kingdom. That is why we have secured agreement to keep the triple lock on pensions and the universal nature of the winter fuel payment for this parliament.
In supporting prosperity and the Union, our agreement has recognised that Northern Ireland is overdependent on the public sector. We want to grow the private sector, rebalance the economy and reduce our dependence upon the Block Grant. To do so, however, we must invest in infrastructure. Besides the human toll of the Troubles, when over 3,600 lives were needlessly lost, another cost was limited investment in roads, schools, hospitals and utilities over decades. Manufacturing is a crucial part of our economy, but to grow, it needs a proper energy supply, a good road network and ultrafast broadband.
The Prime Minister’s decision to invest in Northern Ireland recognises that need but also the benefits of rebalancing Northern Ireland’s economy for everyone in the United Kingdom.
Ultimately, growing the economy in Northern Ireland and ensuring that young people have access to good jobs is the best way to cement the peace which has been hard fought for and painstakingly delivered. The DUP is determined to build a shared future for everyone in Northern Ireland.
Our agreement with the Conservatives acknowledges the divisions which exist but, importantly, seeks to address them by encouraging shared housing schemes and greater sharing in our education system. Those who have tried to score cheap points by scaremongering about the “peace process” do a disservice to Northern Ireland and those who have invested so much in moving forward from the dark days of bombs and bullets.
I trust this Parliament will bring greater stability and prosperity for everyone in this great Kingdom.
Nigel Dodds MP is Parliamentary Leader and Deputy Leader of the DUP