Northern Ireland

Arlene Foster claims unionism represents pluralism and multi-culturalism

Arlene Foster claimed nationalism was 'narrow and exclusive'. Picture by John Stillwell/PA Wire
Arlene Foster claimed nationalism was 'narrow and exclusive'. Picture by John Stillwell/PA Wire Arlene Foster claimed nationalism was 'narrow and exclusive'. Picture by John Stillwell/PA Wire

ARLENE Foster has described nationalism as "narrow and exclusive" while claiming unionism stands for pluralism and multi-culturalism.

The DUP leader's remarks at a conference in London were met with accusations from republicans of "arrogance" .

The former first minister claimed her party's ideology was "inclusive and welcoming" as she urged unionists to reclaim citizenship and rights issues.

Mrs Foster said the best way to secure the union is for the north to be an open and successful place.

"A Northern Ireland which embraces differing cultures and where minorities feel valued is one that few will choose to abandon," she said.

But Sinn Féin's Máirtín Ó Muelloir claimed the speech provided no indication that the DUP was "prepared to end its blockage of the power-sharing institutions".

"Quite apart from the arrogance of dismissing the entire nationalist population in this way, Arlene Foster’s comments quite simply don’t stack up to the reality," he said.

"Where is the multi-culturalism for Gaelic speakers who are still being denied equal language rights by the DUP? Where is the pluralism for the members of our LGBT community who are still being denied marriage equality by the DUP?"

The DUP leader also accused the Republic's government of a "very aggressive" Brexit stance that made unionists wonder if Dublin was asserting a claim on the north.

"It has been quite aggressive and that leads a lot of unionists in Northern Ireland to think 'is this just about the European Union, or is it about something else? Is it about trying to claim the fourth green field in terms of Northern Ireland?'"

Mrs Foster again insisted her party would not accept a Brexit deal that put a regulatory border down the Irish Sea.

She said the "backstop" option of extending membership of the customs union, to allow for an alternative to be found, would need to be time limited.

At the same conference, British Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the Brexit backstop position was there "just in case".

"The whole point about the backstop is that it's intended not to be implemented," he said.

The leading Brexiteer said he did not believe Brexit would lead to Northern Ireland exiting the UK, suggesting that support for Scottish independence had fallen.

"Brexit has, certainly so far, strengthened unionist currency in our politics, not weakened it," he said.

His comments came as secretary of state Karen Bradley promised to seek the best Brexit deal for the north.

Along with Brexit and business ministers David Davis and Greg Clark, Mrs Bradley is part of a British government team exploring so-called "maximum facilitation" – a technological solution to future cross-border trade.

Visiting a cement factory in Co Fermanagh yesterday, she said: "This is really so that I can test how maximum facilitation could be made to work and whether it can be made to work for Northern Ireland."

She said she had been presented with lots of ideas and thoughts.

Meanwhile, a Westminster committee has urged Mrs Bradley to restart talks aimed at restoring devolution.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said last week's High Court block on the Hightown waste-to-energy incinerator meant a lack of ministerial decision making was "fast becoming untenable".

The MPs' Devolution and Democracy in Northern Ireland: Dealing with the Deficit report said assembly committees should be established while devolution is on hold.

The committee concluded that if negotiations fail to restore the Stormont executive then Mrs Bradley should consult with north's parties and the Dublin government on how a review mechanism could be progressed.