Jim Shannon MP: speeches

Speeches

• 5 Mar 2026 · Local Museums · Hansard source

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  It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Lewell. I thank the hon. Member for Thurrock (Jen Craft) for leading the debate. She has done it again: she has brought an excellent debate to Westminster Hall. Whenever she speaks, she always draws a crowd, so well done to her—we can see the number of people here. Local museums are terribly crucial for society. Far beyond the displaying of artefacts, they safeguard a community’s history, traditions and collective memory— I know that my community is so proud of ours. Northern Ireland in general, but specifically my constituency of Strangford, is steeped in culture and history. For being only 104 years old, we have made our mark in ensuring that future generations understand their roots. There is currently a debate in the main Chamber about Commonwealth troops in the first world war. We have a museum at Conlig where we commemorate the battle of the Somme in particular, with the artefacts and all that goes with that. It opened in 1994, and was built with the help of grants to commemorate the involvement of the 36th (Ulster) Division, the 16th (Irish) Division and the 10th (Irish) Division. Since 2000, the museum has expanded to cover the second world war and other modern international conflicts. The museum has an extensive collection of materials from the great war, and in the last number of years has grown its collection of world war two artefacts, including with a large oral history archive. I am very proud of what we have there. It is a much loved centre for all sorts of school and educational visits. I loved history at school—it was the only subject that I managed to do well in, to be honest. The fact of the matter is that children love history as well, and we should be teaching them all about it. I should also mention the constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson), which has the Ulster Folk Museum, the Ulster Transport Museum and a museum to commemorate the Titanic. The Titanic Museum is where my staff member Ashley got married last year. She has now been married some 16 months and is still smiling, and that sounds pretty good. The Ulster Folk Museum brings Ulster’s rural and urban history to life, set over a large site with reconstructed buildings, streets and countryside scenes. There is even a section where people can watch proper Ulster soda bread being made. I do not know whether anyone knows what Ulster soda is, but there is nothing as nice as an Ulster soda that has been baked and cooked there and then, with a big dollop of butter on top. It really makes me feel that life is a good place to be. There is also the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, and the Schomberg Society in Kilkeel, which was formed in 1998 by a group of Ulster-Scots enthusiasts, of which I am one. There, we celebrate the culture, heritage, language and traditions from the kingdom of Mourne and beyond. Museums partner directly with schools to align visits and activities with the national and local curriculum. This often piques the interest of young people, and gives them a vision of the industry offered. For me, that is mostly what museums are about: the young people of today learning for tomorrow. We can learn from history, and learn what history can teach us, and thereby hopefully not make the same mistakes that have been made many a time. It is also a fun way to learn—it is not sitting in a classroom, reading endless pages of history—and it is visual and interactive, giving children the opportunity to learn in a different way. Many museums rely solely on grants and donations, and today’s debate is a fantastic opportunity to remind the Government and the Minister in particular—it is lovely to see him in his place—of the need for long-term sustainability. Whether it be a museum here in London, a locally run museum in Belfast, the Somme Museum in Newtownards or anywhere else, they all deserve the opportunity to remain. I hope we can do more to protect them and properly fund them.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Official History Programme · Hansard source

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  When we go to get tickets on a Wednesday for PMQs, we see the story of the suffragette movement on the walls. What assessment has the Minister made of the importance of teaching the women’s suffrage movement as a compulsory component of the Official History Programme, particularly given its role in advancing democratic participation and strengthening pupils’ understanding of civic rights and responsibilities, such as voting?

• 5 Mar 2026 · Energy Markets · Hansard source

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  I thank the Secretary of State for his statement. As soon as the first missiles were launched over Iran, those working in the energy sector were already warning that prices would escalate. The public can little afford the price gouging that took place when Russia invaded Ukraine, so what steps will the Secretary of State take to ensure that any rise is absolutely necessary and will not result in greater profits for certain people and companies? What consideration will be given to implementing energy schemes to help working families meet the cost?

• 5 Mar 2026 · Consular Assistance · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for his answers, and I also thank his Department. I have some constituents who work for Bombardier and were in Malaysia. They were returning home to Northern Ireland via the middle east but found themselves restricted by the events taking place there and unable to travel. They got home last night, so I want to put on record my thanks to the Minister and his Department. Some 138,000 British people have registered their presence in the middle east. Getting them home is one thing, but making sure they are safe until then is another. What is being done to make sure they are safe? Families are worried sick, and they want to know that their loved ones are safe.

• 5 Mar 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  It is always a pleasure to ask a business question. I want to raise concerns regarding the detention of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, the leader of Zion church, who was arrested during co-ordinated raids across several cities in China. Zion church is an unregistered Protestant church that was previously closed after declining to install state-mandated surveillance equipment. His family state that they have had no contact with him since his detention. These developments are part of wider reports of increased pressure on independent Christian communities. Will the Leader of the House please ask the Foreign Secretary to set out what representations the Government have made to the Chinese authorities regarding these detentions and say what steps have been taken to raise concerns about freedom of religion and belief in China?

• 4 Mar 2026 · NHS Capital Spending · Hansard source

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  It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Western. I thank the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Bobby Dean) for setting the scene incredibly well. Of course, I want to give a Northern Ireland perspective, but I want to put forward two areas where possible savings could be made, and I wonder whether the Minister has had a chance to look at that, collectively or individually. The hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, who set the scene, had 1,000 petition signatures for this debate—well done to him for garnering that interest. Our hospitals are so important and their services are lifesaving, so in terms of our finances they are priority No. 1. It is absolutely no secret that NHS capital spending has a direct impact on patient flow, waiting times and staff morale, and also on the quality of care. Each year, my colleagues and I listen to the Budget and assess how our block grant can benefit the people of Northern Ireland through our healthcare system. It is clear that we must invest heavily in our facilities as well as our day-to-day spending. In her spring Budget yesterday, I think the Chancellor said that an extra £380 million was coming to Northern Ireland in the block grant. That should hopefully go some way to helping balance the books. Around two years ago in my constituency of Strangford, our minor injuries unit closed following the opening of an urgent care unit in Ulster hospital. It was one of the most modern acute hospital sites following more than £235 million in capital investment, including in the new emergency facilities, patient accommodation and surgical and research infrastructure. Rather than planning a completely new hospital, the Department of Health has focused on transforming the Ulster into the regional acute hub. That is the right strategy, aligned with wider NHS reconfiguration plans for Northern Ireland. Furthermore, there are plans for a new maternity hospital at the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast. That is one of Northern Ireland’s largest capital projects, with more than £100 million already invested. Further investment is also planned for the surgical hubs, elective facilities and rapid diagnostic centres. I am pleased that hospitals in Northern Ireland have witnessed increased capital investment but, in comparison to St Helier hospital, as the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington described, it is clear that some hospitals are still struggling drastically, and he underlined that point incredibly well. More needs to be done to ensure that they are fit for purpose. I have two points on savings, which I put to the Health Minister back home, Mike Nesbitt. A level of middle management has been created, which is not always necessary. I am not saying that people should lose their jobs; I am just looking at how it can be done in a good way to ensure value for money. The second point is about agency staff. Back home—and I understand it is the same over here—agency staff are sometimes employed rather than full-time nurses. That is never cost-effective, because it is better to pay a nurse a good wage than it is to employ agency staff. Those are two thoughts that might be helpful. NHS capital spending is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the foundation of safe buildings, modern equipment, efficient services and dignified patient care. Without sustained investment, we will continue to see rising waiting lists, staff burnout and crumbling infrastructure. The Minister is always very responsive, and we are glad to have her in her place. The hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington is asking for the Government to commit to sustained strategic capital investment that will secure the future of our NHS and deliver the standard of care that patients and staff both deserve. Those two ideas to save money are worth looking at as well.

• 4 Mar 2026 · China: Foreign Interference Arrests · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister very much for his answers. Nobody in this House doubts his commitment to finding answers to ensure that the truth is out and justice is done—I thank him for that; everybody respects it. I highlighted when my constituents raised surveillance by the Chinese Communist party in my constituency, and when the website of the all-party group for international freedom of religion or belief, which I chair, was hacked, and information that highlighted human rights abuses and persecution in China was removed. The Minister has outlined clearly what will happen on the mainland, but Northern Ireland has a porous border with the Republic of Ireland. CCP authorities regularly cross the border going north and south with little or no checks, and its activities in the Republic of Ireland must be watched. What discussions has the Minister had to ensure that the Government of the Republic of Ireland, and the Garda Síochána, work collectively to thwart the CCP wherever it is, especially in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?

• 4 Mar 2026 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Lady—a champion by name and a champion by conviction. We are very pleased to see her in her place, and we thank her very much for what she does. I sometimes think there are opportunities for partnerships. For instance, churches in my constituency have very active partnerships in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Swaziland, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, so there is perhaps a way of partnering with church groups, non-governmental organisations and individuals that have an interest in helping. Does the hon. Lady feel that the Minister and the Government should take that on board and look at it?

• 4 Mar 2026 · Energy Security and Net Zero: Scotland · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Lady for bringing this debate forward; she is absolutely right to do so. The devolved institutions’ contribution to net zero targets are important, and I am pleased to hear of Scotland’s success. I look forward to the Minister’s response. Northern Ireland shares the commitment to a net zero future by 2050, but our smaller grid, limited renewable capacity and reliance on imported electricity means that achieving that goal is more challenging. Does the hon. Lady agree that we must make sure no part of the United Kingdom is left behind? I wish her well for Scotland, but all devolved nations must be given the necessary tools to succeed in the green energy transition.

• 4 Mar 2026 · Healthcare in Rural Areas · Hansard source

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  It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Huq. I want to give a special thank you to the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Blake Stephenson) for securing today’s debate on this matter. It is important that I am here, as a representative of a vastly rural constituency, to highlight the situation faced by my constituents. I have been fortunate to live in the country all my life; I have now lived on a farm for some 47 years, just outside a small village in my constituency of Strangford on the Ards peninsula. Healthcare is a nationwide issue that impacts every individual, and we want to get it right. Rural populations often live far from hospitals or specialist clinics, making timely care more difficult. The limited public transport and long travel distances can cause delays, especially in emergencies, for the likes of ambulances and so on. Around one in 10 patients live more than 5 miles from a practice, showing the extensive travel required for a 10-minute GP appointment, in which only one issue can ever be addressed. There are those in my constituency who find it almost impossible to get appointments, and GPs now state that they can take appointments only in the case of emergencies, when we all know that is the purpose of A&Es. GPs are for general issues that may impact someone’s day-to-day life, and there are not enough of them to go round. Everybody has mentioned development, and there is massive development on the Ards peninsula. Every village has grown, and demand is greater than ever it was before. I shall quickly mention dentists in Northern Ireland. Some 114 dentists in Northern Ireland have handed back their NHS contracts to the Department of Health and Social Care, with many moving to private practice. Those patients then move on to a £25 a month retainer. As a result of these contract returns, more than 53,000 NHS patients were removed from dental practice lists over that period. For a rural constituency, that means there is no choice but to pay in the private sector. There are continuing issues regarding GP provision and dental care across Northern Ireland, especially in my constituency. The issue is heightened in rural areas, and I will continue to raise these issues for those who have trouble. I understand that health is devolved, but the issue across the board remains the same. I hope we can strive to do better for my constituents and all our constituents, as well as for rural constituencies in general. Location should never dictate the provision of healthcare, be it someone’s GP or dentist, both of which every citizen of this nation has a right to.

• 4 Mar 2026 · NATO and the High Arctic · Hansard source

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  The point I am trying to make is that there is a perception across the world that the United Kingdom, who ruled the waves 300 years ago or whenever it was, has not got a ship that it can send. That sends a message. The hon. Gentleman is right about working with our allies. We cannot fight a war on our own any more; we have to do it collectively, but there is something that niggles me whenever I recognise that. It is not meant to be an attack on anybody; I am just making the point that we need to be seen to be proactive.

• 4 Mar 2026 · NATO and the High Arctic · Hansard source

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  That is the focus we need to have. Climate change is affecting the world. We might find ourselves in a slightly different geographical position in a short time. The right hon. Lady has illustrated that to our advantage. The Greenland-Iceland-UK gap remains vital for monitoring submarine activity. I can never understand how anybody can get into a submarine; it is too claustrophobic for me, but I admire those who do, as they play a vital role in the defence of this great nation. It is no secret that Russia has expanded its Arctic military footprint, which may be what Trump is looking towards. We need to be aware of Russia’s input, especially its submarine operations, air bases and missile systems. The Arctic region is a key domain for undersea infrastructure. Protecting the integrity of UK security is a major priority. NATO allies must remain as a cornerstone of support in doing that. When we focus on the importance of where we are, we support the policies that strengthen deterrence rather than encourage confrontation. I cannot remember which one, but a US President said: “Speak softly but carry a big stick.” That reminds us that we must have a deterrent—the nuclear power and the submarines and the strength of the Army—to persuade others not to go to war. That is the ultimate goal we all try to achieve. We must also maintain readiness to respond to threats and ensure that military deployments to Norway and the north Atlantic are exercised and fully trained. Again, we see commitment from the British Army and NATO, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as Poland. Those troops are the best. The hon. Member for Halesowen mentioned the Marines, and there are none better. When I was a wee boy, I was always saying, “I am going to be a Royal Marine.” As an eight-year-old, that was my big ambition. It obviously never happened, but I did serve part time in the Ulster Defence Regiment and in the Royal Artillery. It was a slightly different role and not as exciting as the Marines—it never could be—but it was an incredible role. We often have discussions around defence spending. A proper budget is needed to perfect intelligence and surveillance of the High Arctic. In strategic terms, sea lanes and undersea cables are vital. I asked the Minister a question over recess, and the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy came to the main Chamber maybe six or eight weeks ago and referred to undersea cables. In my question to the Select Committee Chair, the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western), I asked about the undersea cables that come across the North sea, down to England and across to Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is a soft belly. Do we have a role to play in securing the undersea cables that go from there across the Atlantic as well? Of course, the Republic of Ireland does not have the Royal Navy, the Army or the personnel that we have. Are there discussions, or is there a relationship or a defensive agreement, between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to ensure that the undersea cables that go across the Atlantic are protected? The Chair of the Select Committee was unable to confirm that. That is not a criticism; I am just saying that I asked a question and the answer could not be given. The undersea cables and the Arctic’s stability affect trade, energy and global security. Furthermore, the United Kingdom and the United States have shared interests in terms of the Arctic region. Of course, President Trump has made his opinions clear in relation to Greenland, but close co-operation ensures that NATO can respond rapidly to threats, particularly from Russia. The United States, as the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Liz Saville Roberts) and the hon. Member for Halesowen mentioned, has bases in Greenland. It has feet on the ground and it is building up to using that footprint as a protection or a launchpad. It is important that we have that relationship with the United States. To conclude, I stand firmly for a united NATO, a credible deterrent to aggression and robust investment in our armed forces to ensure they are equipped for operations in the High Arctic. We have an enduring partnership with the United States of America and we must strengthen our ability to defend vital waters and airspace. The hon. Gentleman asked about the number of ships being built for the Royal Navy to enhance its position. I know the Government are giving everything to enhance investment—that is never in doubt—but maybe the Minister could tell us about their commitment to the Royal Navy, which is clearly needed. I say this with incredible respect. For 10 days our base in Cyprus was potentially under attack. My comment is not an attack on anybody, but why on earth did we not send a ship to protect Cyprus 10 days ago? It niggles me whenever we see the French and the Germans giving us protection.

• 4 Mar 2026 · NATO and the High Arctic · Hansard source

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  It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, as always, Dr Huq. I thank the hon. Member for Halesowen (Alex Ballinger) for leading the debate in such a helpful way. He set the scene, the focus and the strategy, and he asked questions that I was going to ask—great minds think alike. He has a greater mind than me, by the way. I thank him for all that he does in this House. In the year and six months or thereabouts that he has been here, he has made a name for himself in canvassing the Chamber and in the way that he presents his case. He has done his constituents proud today, and he should be congratulated on that. The High Arctic may lie far away from our coastline, but the sea lanes, the airspace and the critical undersea infrastructure are fundamental to the United Kingdom’s security and economic wellbeing. Defence is obviously about protecting our people and our assets, whether they be around the United Kingdom or further afield, but it is also about economic wellbeing. I am very impressed by the Government’s commitment to the defence industry on the mainland and in Northern Ireland. The Minister has always told us about the Government’s commitment. We have seen the financial commitment to weapons and cyber-activity through Thales and SPIRiT, and the Government have been keen to build on that. After the south-east of England, Northern Ireland is the most credible part of the United Kingdom when it comes to cyber-security, and I welcome that very much. That is down not only to the companies that we have but to the Government’s commitment to that, and we thank them for that. Complacency must never be an option. I am pleased to be here to discuss this issue and see what more we can do to support the High Arctic. I am a fair weather person who likes sunshine and heat. It is highly unlikely that I would be seen in Norway and I have no interest in skiing because it looks too cold for me. I enjoyed watching the winter Olympics on TV and it was good to see our team doing well. Five times we came within 0.2 seconds of winning another medal. That tells us about the achievements of this wee country and makes us proud to be British. Over the past few days we have heard all too well the importance of national security and infrastructure. My goodness—not a day goes by when we know what will happen next. I am a man of faith, so I trust in someone better in control who is in heaven looking down at us. I am quite clear in my mind where my faith and trust lie. In the world, there are 67 wars: think of that. It is almost a world at war, and we have seen that reflected in the middle east in the past few days. The High Arctic has proven central to Atlantic security and maritime trade routes and the importance of the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap. Sometimes that is forgotten about. Some hon. Members have travelled to Greenland, but President Trump’s focus on the country has made us think about its importance. Maybe we did not see it in the way we should. I thank those hon. Members who have been instrumental in that. I understand that the hon. Member for Halesowen is going there shortly.

• 4 Mar 2026 · Economic Growth · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for her answer. She and I know that when it comes to economic growth in Wales, or indeed in Northern Ireland, Scotland or England, we are better together. We are also better together historically and culturally. My Gaelic cousins on the Benches in front of me are my friends—I want them to stay in the United Kingdom. What can the Minister do to persuade people who are as yet undecided about what to do that it is better to be within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland? We are always better together. [Hon. Members: “More!”]

• 4 Mar 2026 · Work Capability Assessment Timescales · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Lady for securing this debate. To add my support from a personal point of view, in my office I have a lady who looks after nothing else but benefits. She has told me that there are major issues regarding reassessment waiting times for those who are up for review. The official internal figures for Northern Ireland show that the mean average wait was around 290 working days—58 weeks—and some people are waiting as long as seven to eight years. I have to say, in all honesty, those are extremes, but it does underline the very issue that the hon. Lady is talking about. Does she agree that the one way to solve this problem is more staff? They must be hired to deal with the backlog, as applicants are feeling stressed and anxious that their financial stability might change.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Environmental Protection and Biodiversity · Hansard source

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  I certainly do, and I will hand over to the Minister to respond at the end of the debate.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Environmental Protection and Biodiversity · Hansard source

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  Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

• 3 Mar 2026 · Environmental Protection and Biodiversity · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for North East Hertfordshire (Chris Hinchliff) for securing this debate. Some 12% of species are threatened with extinction in the countryside we live in, as he underlined very clearly. The 50% loss of biodiversity since the ’70s is a serious problem. I want to give an example of what my council, Ards and North Down borough council, does. The council has a strategy of planting and rewilding council land; indeed, it is actively trying to purchase other land for the same purpose. I am always very pleased to see the Minister in her place—I wish her well, including for her recovery. I ask her what the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will do to help councils to make more of a difference, if councils are willing to step up and do something.

• 3 Mar 2026 · North Middlesex Hospital Accident and Emergency Services: Cancer Patients · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Lady on securing the debate. She is right to illustrate this important issue at her local hospital, which is replicated wherever we might be the United Kingdom. Indeed, people back home are waiting 12 hours for admission or discharge. Those who attend A&E should be treated within four hours, but that is not happening. Does the hon. Lady agree that strengthening community-based cancer services is essential to protect patients, ease pressure on emergency departments and ensure that people with cancer get the right care in the right place at the right time?

• 3 Mar 2026 · Small Charity Sector · Hansard source

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  It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Roger. I thank the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) for leading the debate. We should do more to ensure the long-term sustainability of the charity sector. I declare an interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for international freedom of religion or belief. Our secretariat is run by a small charity called the FoRB Foundation, the task of which is to raise awareness, recover rights and rebuild the lives of those affected by FORB violations. The foundation has many volunteers who make the time to do many things. The charity sector in Northern Ireland is a major employer, with some 53,620 employees, representing some 7% of the total workforce. Some 4.3 million people across the UK have sought the support of charities in recent years, highlighting the need for charity support nationwide. Let me name a few of the charities in my constituency. The Ards suicide awareness group started a few years ago, and it reaches out to try to help those of a male disposition, and in respect of those who have unfortunately lost their lives. There are also food banks, the Home-Start team, the Beyond the Battlefield veterans team, and the Link, where a number of churches come together to give help. Beyond the Battlefield provides pivotal and comprehensive support for veterans, service members and their families. It offers free, specialised services, including counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder; housing assistance for the homeless; help with war pensions, benefit entitlements and medical claims; and support through tailored long-term care. The Newtownards food bank, which is run by the House church—Richard, Natalie, Lisa and their team—reminds us all of the scale of how food poverty is affecting Northern Ireland, and how critical the small charity sector is in terms of food poverty. Those are just a few of the charities in my constituency. Between 2014 and 2023—excluding the pandemic years 2020 to 2022—the average number of registered charities that was removed annually was about 63. That tells us that there is a decrease in the number of charities being sustained annually. Many small charities, especially those with limited reserves, are under significant pressure, and that has been exacerbated by cuts to core Government grants. Sustained Government support is critical for the survival and effectiveness of Northern Ireland’s small charity sector. Without adequate funding, many organisations will face closure or the scaling back of essential services, putting vulnerable communities at risk. We must never underestimate the impact of charities on the community and how they have saved so many from personal and financial devastation. I very much look forward to the Minister’s response; not to throw any pressure on her, but the charities need help.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Small Charity Sector · Hansard source

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  The Minister is right to recognise the importance of volunteers, and we all recognise that—we meet them every day of our lives—but charities also employ people and pay their wages, so there is an economic advantage to having them as well. Does she recognise that?

• 3 Mar 2026 · Funeral Premises: Environmental Health Inspections · Hansard source

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  I commend the hon. Gentleman on securing this debate. I always try to be helpful by talking about what we do in Northern Ireland. Issues around funeral service premises are sensitive and people must be treated with care when they are dealing with the death of loved ones. In Northern Ireland, funeral premises operate within general health and safety frameworks rather than a dedicated inspection programme. There is also no published fixed frequency for routine environmental health inspections. Does he agree that more must be done to create clearer regulation? I believe that the code of conduct in Scotland would be helpful to ensure industry standards and oversee premises and services more consistently.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Community Cohesion · Hansard source

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  With one exception—my colleague sitting to my left, who is two years ahead of me. None the less, we understand that for many other communities in the UK, funding and programmes can build the foundations and change mindsets in a long process. That cannot be done without leadership from our communities. I am thankful for all those across Northern Ireland who have turned from the old ways and are leading generations on to a new path. I am very fortunate in my constituency. The Minister and others will probably know this story about a leader in the community whose name I may not previously have mentioned but will today. There are those who had a coloured past but walked away from the history that formed them to be the new generational leaders. They have walked the path of aggression, controversy and sometimes violence. Davy Mac—Davy McAlonan—is chair of the Scrabo residents association. When any Minister or shadow Minister comes to Northern Ireland, I take them to meet Davy Mac. Why? Because he epitomises the new Northern Ireland and the way we move forward. The Davy Macs of this world believe in respect through differences, and their legacy is of understanding. A community can celebrate its own culture while accepting and working with anyone else as long as there is respect. I shall finish as I am conscious of time. There is a hard lesson which is still being taught, but one we must continue to sow into with funding and support from Government and hope for a brighter future. I believe in that brighter future, and others in the room do as well. Let us do that. I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Community Cohesion · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend and colleague has summed that up incredibly well. That is exactly how I feel about where we are, and the community that we are trying to build for our children and grandchildren. I have six grandchildren, and I want to build a future for them—I want to build a future for every grandchild, by the way, not just mine, because everybody has a share in where we are, and that is where we are coming from. Community cohesion is not about erasing identity, diluting culture or pretending that our history does not matter. Northern Ireland works best where identity is respected: British identity, Ulster identity, and indeed the Irish identity of those who cherish it. Mutual respect must be the foundation on which we build our future. The Belfast agreement created a framework where differences could be managed peacefully and democratically. That framework must always operate on the principles of consent, fairness and parity of esteem, not on the erosion of one tradition to appease another. That is not about cohesion, resilience or moving forward. I believe with all my heart that we must respect each other. Cohesion cannot grow where there is imbalance; it requires confidence that Northern Ireland’s constitutional position is secure, which I believe it is. The Prime Minister and the Labour Government have said that very clearly, which we should respect and understand—as did the Conservative party, in fairness. It requires confidence that the position is secure and that decisions are made with cross-community support, and it requires that no section of society feels sidelined. Bringing everybody forward is not always easy; it is incredibly hard at times, but if we focus on the goal we can achieve that together. Strengthening community cohesion also means strengthening opportunity. Too many working-class communities—Unionist and nationalist alike—feel left behind. Economic regeneration, job creation, investment in apprenticeships and support for local businesses are not just economic policies; they are cohesion policies, and part of what we need to move forward. When people have dignity in work and hope for their children, division loses its grip. People are more relaxed, more positive and more confident about the future. We must also deal honestly with the past. That does not mean endless relitigation of history, nor does it mean selective memory. It means fairness, proportionality and recognition of the suffering experienced by all victims of terrorism, including the thousands murdered by the IRA and other paramilitary organisations. True reconciliation requires truth, but it also requires balance. Community cohesion is not achieved through slogans; it is built day by day in churches, community halls, sports clubs and businesses and in the home itself, where the family is centre of the home. It is built when neighbours look out for one another, and when cultural expression is carried out with respect. I sincerely believe that our community is something to be proud of. We are stronger together and can be an example to many other communities in United Kingdom, showing how funding and programmes can build foundations that change mindsets. That has been a long process. I lived through the troubles, having been born a long time ago, being older than anyone in this room without a doubt.

• 3 Mar 2026 · Community Cohesion · Hansard source

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  It is a real pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison, and to have the opportunity to be here. I thank the hon. Member for Rugby (John Slinger) for allowing us to discuss the important issue of community. I may be giving the hon. Gentleman a big head, but may I say what a joy he brings in his contributions in this House, both in Westminster Hall and the Chamber? He is always soft-spoken, and his voice is filled with compassion. That is important, especially with this subject matter. In Northern Ireland, we have moved beyond where we were in the past. I am a very proud representative of Strangford, and I am privileged and honoured that my constituents have chosen me to be their MP on a number of occasions—Members will be aware of that already. However, most of that pride does not come from me, but from the people I represent, and I want to speak about them. Although we have a tainted history of anger and violence, that does not adequately represent who we really are. I represent a community that proudly upholds the Northern Ireland tradition of being the most generous charity givers per capita. We do that without coercion or nudging, because we are generous people. I represent people who have the highest amount of kinship fostering in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland—that is another example of what we do. We care about people and we want to help them. The programmes run by churches and community groups are examples that should be highlighted in this place— I am going to do that, because that is about the people we represent, who make the community and the place we live just that bit better. Northern Ireland is a place of immense strength, resilience and character. That is found in every community, from the beautiful Portaferry at the tip of the Ards peninsula where I live, to the heart of the constituency in Newtownards and down the other side of the lough to Ballynahinch and Spa. Ours is a community shaped by faith—which the hon. Gentleman mentioned—and I say that very sincerely. It is also shaped by family, hard work and deep-rooted traditions. Where once there would have been division over faith, I do not see that ever happening today like it happened in the past. I am a Democratic Unionist party MP, and we firmly believe in the Union—in Northern Ireland’s proud place within the United Kingdom. We want to be part of it, and we maintain that as part of who we are. We believe in strengthening the bonds between the people who share this land—the Scots, the Welsh, the English and ourselves.