Debate contribution: European Parliament Observer Status

Debate contribution by Mr Jonathan Buckley on 8 December 2025.

MLA

Mr Jonathan Buckley

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

8 December 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

European Parliament Observer Status

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5284254

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Today's motion is but yet another attempt to rewrite the Brexit referendum. It is as if Christmas has come early for the European Union. The motion is a present that is wrapped in sparkling Sinn Féin wrapping paper, because it is viewed through the lens of a united Ireland and through the lens of majoritarianism. It will come as no surprise that the Alliance Party is falling in behind that type of proposal. The party has been on record as doing just that in many votes in the Assembly. The approach of the leader of the Opposition, Mr O'Toole, is reminiscent of that of the spoilt, crying toddler on Christmas evening who has lost his Christmas present to a cousin. He has moaned and groaned during the debate so far because other people have the same opinion as him, but — guess what? — no unionist will support the motion today. Unionists did not support such a motion when he brought one to the House, and they will not support Sinn Féin's motion today. That goes to the very heart of why a petition of concern was tabled today. We want to talk about democratic deficits. That term was alien to those on the Benches opposite from the very genesis of the Brexit negotiations. They did not want to admit that a problem existed. They wanted hard and radical forms of protocols that would damage our businesses and destroy industry. Rigorous implementation has been mentioned. That is the approach that they adopted time and time again, but the white rabbit has now been pulled out of the hat: having observer-status MEPs will sort it all out. Sinn Féin is rather used to being an observer when it comes to parliamentary debate. Observer status is something that comes quite naturally to its MPs. In fact, observer-status MEPs would have more legitimacy than its current MPs at Westminster.

The Member makes a valid point, because, and let us get real, the motion is about misrepresenting views in Northern Ireland. Yes, some constituencies in Northern Ireland voted to remain, but some voted to leave. That was part of the democratic vote. For people to try to rewrite the outcome of the vote here time and time again further undermines trust in these institutions and, indeed, in democracy right across the United Kingdom. I have not heard one single time when Members on the Benches opposite have been prepared to acknowledge the huge hurt that the Windsor framework and other agreements have caused to our businesses. We import some £16 billion worth of goods from GB. Full customs codes are applied, courtesy of the Alliance Party, the SDLP and Sinn Féin. We import £7 billion from the EU, yet we are hammered with bureaucracy because of the arrangements that those parties have tried to impose on the people of Northern Ireland. Observer-status MEPs have no right to vote. They therefore have no right to influence the vote. You are so keen to talk about the issue, yet when 300 areas of law came before the Assembly, resulting in six hours of debate, the vast majority of you did not even speak. You come here, however, to howl in the wind about observer-status MEPs. It is utter hypocrisy. The DUP tabled the petition of concern for very legitimate reasons. There is a serious attempt, via the motion, to misrepresent the views of the House, just as they were misrepresented by the EU when cross-community voting in this place was discarded to serve its agenda. It is happening again. It was therefore right to table the petition of concern, which will stop the vote, and I pay tribute to the UUP Members and the TUV Member who signed the petition, because it is important that we ensure that those institutions that are foreign to this one understand that there is no democratic legitimacy to the arrangements that they have put in place. There is no support from one single elected unionist in this place, so it is entirely legitimate for us to use such a mechanism, and we will ensure that the voice of unionism is represented.

I want to see the issues resolved. I want to see the democratic deficit reduced. The way to do it is through votes in this place. Mr O'Toole had no care or concern when over 300 areas of law went through. He spoke for a pitiful 10 minutes on 300 areas of law, yet he wants to throw his toys out of the pram because Sinn Féin stole his motion today. Utter hypocrisy. Businesses know exactly that Mr O'Toole is all about sound bites. He is all about trying to throw around his EU credentials. Mr O'Toole was at the heart of the Downing Street team when these things were being talked about. He has been very quiet about his time there. I mean —.

Absolutely. I will, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. It is rich from the SDLP. We have seen again and again the nationalist front of the Alliance Party, propped up by the SDLP and Sinn Féin —

— bringing motions that do not —

— bear out reality.

We will vote against.

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

Assessment

Qualifying Constitutional question, Brexit, the Windsor Framework and sovereignty

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:08 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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