Debate contribution: Building Political Consensus

Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on 13 October 2026.

MLA: Mr Mike Nesbitt
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 13 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Opposition Business
Heading: Building Political Consensus
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5789764

Text

I note that the motion carries a desire to build political consensus. In that regard, every Member of the House should be aware of these words:
"The tragedies of the past have left a deep and profoundly regrettable legacy of suffering. We must never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families. But we can best honour them through a fresh start, in which we firmly dedicate ourselves to the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust, and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all."
Members will recognise that as paragraph 2 of the 1998 agreement. Paragraph 3 goes on to say:
"We are committed to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships".
Every Member should be aware of those words, but are they? Based on the previous two debates in the Chamber, I think that that is a valid question. The motion talks of committing to:
"work together to build a new political consensus".
What in God's name was wrong with the old one?

175 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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