Member's statement: Parade Disputes
Member's statement by Mr Jon Burrows on .
- MLA
- Mr Jon Burrows
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 13 October 2026
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Parade Disputes
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5789424
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The past couple of weeks in Northern Ireland have been toxic and polarising in our politics and for our communities. Many people are bewildered at the fire in the bellies of those who can raise real passion when discussing and debating crisis and confrontation but do not have the same passion when it comes to dealing with the intractable issues facing our communities, such as trying to secure an appointment with your GP, trying to get a place for your child at school or fixing our waste water system so that businesses that currently cannot expand can do so. I appeal to all leaders, whatever our disagreements over Drumcree and how it has been handled, to confine the parade dispute to that one. I have heard people on both sides say, "Bring it on" to expanding parade disputes across Northern Ireland: that is absolute folly for everyone in Northern Ireland, including those who are part of the parading community. Unionism has to strategise its way through the issues, and that has to involve looking beyond the next angry speech or confrontation. I appeal to the Protestant/unionist/loyalist community, particularly those who parade — from the Orange Order to our bands — not to succumb to the temptation to take part in unnotified processions. I have had people who are eminently reasonable ring me and say, "Why should we do this if not complying with the law doesn't have a consequence?". I appeal to them to do the right thing and obey the law. I have seen the real-life consequences for people who do such things. They often come to see you months or years later when they have a criminal record, when their credit history is affected, when they have been disciplined at their work, when they cannot access work or when they cannot go on a family holiday to America because of a conviction that they got for doing something illegal. Of course, there has to be accountability for those who broke the law, but I appeal to the unionist community to stay lawful and allow us to deal with the political and legal accountability. I will be meeting the Public Prosecution Service and the Chief Constable to address people's legitimate issues, but I say this to the unionist community: let us get back on the front foot in promoting Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom and the benefits that that brings for everyone in Northern Ireland and how it is a fantastic place that punches above its weight in sport, feeds the nation and excels in many sectors. Let us focus on making Northern Ireland work for everyone but bring accountability for those who have done wrong on this issue. I appeal to everybody not to escalate a dispute in Portadown to other parades across Northern Ireland.
469 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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