Debate contribution: Independence Referenda
Debate contribution by Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly on .
- MLA
- Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 11 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Independence Referenda
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5523822
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I was pleased to see that there were clear pro-union majorities in Scotland and Wales. Of course, the First Minister and I have very different views on this. However, instead of listening to the spin, spin, spin, which is all about putting momentum behind destroying and pulling apart the United Kingdom, we should look at the facts. It is a fact that the SNP's seat numbers and popular support fell, and a strong pro-union majority voted in Scotland. It is a fact that a strong pro-union majority voted in Wales. We have a First Minister in Scotland who wants to be the First Minister for Scotland; we have a First Minister coming into office in Wales who wants to be the First Minister of Wales; and we have a First Minister in Northern Ireland who wants to be First Minister for abolishing Northern Ireland. That is not something that the people of Northern Ireland genuinely deserve. I will be here, standing up for Northern Ireland. The future is bright for Northern Ireland. I am deeply proud of so many things that have happened in the past — our businesses, our economy, our achievements — and I know that Northern Ireland has a positive, strong and secure future within the Union of the United Kingdom.
214 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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