AFTER talking to thousands of people throughout this campaign, it’s clear that delivery for our hospitals and schools is what really matters. That’s why we have published a 12-point plan to Get Northern Ireland Moving Again.
People want MPs who will stand up, speak up and ultimately deliver a better deal for you.
After the 2017 General Election, the DUP held the balance of power in Westminster. We used that influence to deliver £1.5bn for local hospitals, schools and roads – for everyone. Unionists, nationalists and those who don’t subscribe to either position.
Whether its £150m to transform broadband in rural communities, £15m to deliver more staff for health service, £50m for better mental health services or the protection of the triple lock on pensions which the Tories were going to remove, the DUP has a record of delivery for everyone.
No other party has delivered a single extra penny for any school, hospital or road. Only the DUP has a record of delivering for the public services which matter.
No one can say "my vote doesn’t count" or "what can my vote achieve at Westminster".
With the overall election outcome increasingly uncertain, a strong DUP team returned to the House of Commons will stand up for the interests of Northern Ireland again.
To elect MPs who don’t take their seats in parliament is to short change everyone.
West Tyrone, Mid Ulster and Fermanagh South Tyrone all had Sinn Féin abstentionist MPs but they also have the worst broadband in the country. It has been the DUP MPs who take their seats in parliament, who were able to secure £150m for rural broadband.
Whilst others would sit at home, here’s what our influence achieved:
• 38 Sure Start projects received £6.4million, benefitting 39,000 children;
• 40,000 children were helped through literacy and numeracy projects through £700,000;
• £5.8million was used to save breakfast and homework clubs.
Extra money has made a difference, but we were constantly hampered by the lack of an assembly.
Money alone will not fix our hospitals or waiting times. We need reform to deliver more doctors and nurses and more efficient ways of doing things. Our schools are the same. Reform is needed to give head teachers more autonomy in their schools.
This will require a minister. Sinn Féin has repeatedly refused to form an executive or appoint ministers until their wish list of demands is met.
Indeed, a few weeks ago the DUP, alongside some other MLAs, sought the recall of Stormont to stop the implementation of the most extreme abortion laws anywhere in the British Isles. The SDLP and Sinn Féin stood idle when these extreme laws were being foisted on Northern Ireland. The reform of our abortion laws should not have been rushed through parliament. It should have been properly debated in Stormont, where MLAs could be held accountable.
Everyone has a choice to make. To elect people who will go and do the job you elect them to do.
One thing you can be sure, if elected, DUP candidates will turn up and speak up for you.
On Thursday December 12, use your vote to maximise Northern Ireland’s influence and ensure we get a better deal for all.
