Northern Ireland
Stormont calls for end to back door privatisation of health services
Amidst revelations in the Daily Mirror that over 100 services across the NHS are being run by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin group, members of the Northern Ireland Assembly have called on Ministers at Stormont to bring forward legislation to prevent the privatisation of health services by stealth.
Northern Ireland needs a plan for jobs and growth – not dithering from government about whether to devolve corporation tax
This month marked the 15th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. It is one of the proudest achievements of the last Labour government. And we stand ready today to help secure its legacy and help build peace, progress and prosperity in every community in Northern Ireland.
Thatcher’s legacy in Northern Ireland
For Margaret Thatcher, Northern Ireland wasn’t just a political minefield but a personal tragedy. Just months before she took office in 1979, her close friend and ally, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary Airey Neave, who led her campaign for the Conservative Party Leadership, was killed when a bomb, planted by republican terrorists, went off from under his car as he drove out of the Palace of Westminster.
A bleak budget for the nations
George Osborne's 2013 budget has received a tepid response in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Unionist unity raises its head again
Internal unionist navel gazing following last weeks’ Mid Ulster by election has been exacerbated by allegations that the DUP and UUP last year held serious negotiations over a possible full merger.
Sinn Fein to oppose vote to restrict abortions
Sinn Fein have pledged to oppose a vote at Stormont that seeks to restrict access to abortions. The amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, tabled by the DUP and SDLP, would make illegal abortions that are carried out outside of NHS institutions.