25/10/2022

DUP Welcomes New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has congratulated Rishi Sunak on winning the leadership of the Conservative Party and said that "the challenge remains to deal with the Protocol and restore Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom".

Sir Jeffrey said: "I congratulate Rishi Sunak on winning the leadership of his Party and becoming our next Prime Minister. There may be a focus on the unity of the Conservative Party, but the unity of our United Kingdom must be protected.

"The Northern Ireland Protocol has polluted every area of government. It is undermining our economy and jeopardising the supply of medicines. It is driving up transport costs and the price of goods on our shelves, worsening the cost-of-living crisis.

"The Protocol is also incompatible with the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. If the Prime Minister wants to see a fully functioning Stormont, then he must deal with it once and for all. Delivering that solution would be a very powerful signal that that he is focused on building a better future for everyone.

"Everyone in Northern Ireland deserves a solution that can allow Stormont Ministers to get on with their job and make Northern Ireland a better place."

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