Northern Ireland needs supportive first minister not abolition – Little-Pengelly

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

Northern Ireland needs a first minister to stand up for it, not its abolition, the region’s deputy First Minister has said.

Emma Little-Pengelly was speaking after Michelle O’Neill hailed the triumph of nationalist parties in Scotland and Wales as a “seismic political shift”, and the prospect of “three nationalist First Ministers”.

O’Neill also said she had already spoken to Scottish first minister John Swinney and Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth, who will become first minister of Wales, about how they can work together towards independence for their respective people.

Speaking later in the Assembly, Little-Pengelly told MLAs there were “different views on this issue in the Executive office, between the First Minister and myself”.

“I believe what Northern Ireland really needs is a First and deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland, not a First Minister for the abolition of Northern Ireland,” she said.

“I do believe that we should be unashamedly proud of this place. I am. I will always turn up and stand up and speak up for Northern Ireland. I count it a huge honour and responsibility to get the opportunity to do so.

“I want to see economic growth in Northern Ireland for absolutely everyone, unionist, nationalist and neither, and I think that is the best way that we stabilise this place.

“That is the way that we provide a better future for absolutely everyone and that is what I am focused on.”

She added: “I am a Unionist, and Michelle is a Republican. We are not led by a nationalist. Northern Ireland is led by a co-equal First Minister and deputy First Minister.

“Secondly, Scotland has been led by a nationalist SNP first minister for 20 years, and indeed that vote has gone down.

“Of Wales, what is absolutely clear is that there was a pro-union majority out and voting in Wales, but split unionism cost the first minister position, and that is a lesson for everyone here in Northern Ireland.

“Split unionism cost seats. Split unionism cost the First Minister position.

“I believe the union is strong. I believe in working together across this United Kingdom, but most of all I believe in being deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland and supporting everyone in Northern Ireland.”