What has Stephen Farry been up to today?
Stephen Farry is MP for North Down and a member of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland party.
Stephen Farry has 17394 followers on Twitter.
Tonight, @columeastwood @ClaireHanna and I forced a division on the immunity (de facto amnesty) clause in the NIO's Legacy Bill.
Sadly, the Conservative Government rammed this through over the heads of the voices of victims in NI. The fight goes on.
https://votes.parliament.uk/Votes/Commons/Division/1328
A new poll has shown Alliance is the most trusted party on the Protocol.
We have repeatedly put forward proposals to mitigate checks in the Irish Sea, but the UK Government continue to ignore us and others in favour of the DUP.
We will continue to fight for what's best for NI.
Trust levels in all five political parties from the outgoing NI Executive have increased and levels of distrust have decreased.
Alliance is the most trusted (50% trust, 38% distrust)
The DUP is the most distrusted (68% distrust, 25% trust).
10/
#ICYMI Alliance has written to the UK and Irish Governments, outlining proposals for immediate reform of the Assembly and Executive.
Without these moves, the future of devolution is at risk, @naomi_long says.
See more here- https://www.allianceparty.org/failure_to_reform_assembly_and_executive_risks_future_of_devolution_says_long_as_she_writes_to_governments
Who do NI voters trust to sort out the Protocol mess in NI? (June 2022)
(Trust or Trust a lot)
Business: 60%
Alliance Party: 50%
EU Commission: 47%
Irish Govt: 45%
Sinn Fein: 36%
DUP: 25%
NI Exec: 17%
UK Govt: 5%
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/post-brexit-governance-ni/ProjectPublications/OpinionPolling/TestingTheTemperature5/
Repeatedly calling something 'legal' doesn't make it so.
Independent legal experts are extremely clear. This is illegal.
This bill is legal, it is necessary and it is right for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland ➡️ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1082474/northern-ireland-protocol-the-uks-solution.pdf
DUP and UK government "not acting in the interests of Northern Ireland" – Sorcha Eastwood as MPs back move to override Brexit deal
@SorchaEastwood | @BBCMarkSimpson
Podcast 📲 @BBCSounds
Today, Parliament discussed the implications of the US Supreme Court ruling against Roe v Wade.
UK needs to put its own house in order. Women are still forced to travel from NI, despite abortion being legal, due to lack of commissioned services.
Abortion law in NI has been settled since 2020 yet women are still forced to travel for reproductive care due to Robin Swann's refusal to commission services.
The impact of SCOTUS's decision on Roe v Wade reinforces the immediate need for UK Gov intervention.
- @stephenfarrymp
Today I presented a Bill to Parliament to make it an offence for politicians to wilfully lie to the public
Together with five other parties @Plaid_Cymru have urged @CommonsLeader to ensure the Bill can progress so we can begin to restore faith in democracy
#StopTheLies
It is shameful that we don’t have an Executive to address the cost of living crisis in NI.
I welcome assurance from Chancellor that households in NI will receive equivalent support.
This support is due in October. But there is much preparation to be done. Urgency required.
NI households face steeper energy bills than elsewhere in the UK. The Absence of an Executive is blocking Energy Bill Support.
The Chancellor needs to move quickly to ensure equivalent help for NI.
At least it is out in the open that @NIOgov is not interested in objectively reflecting views of business in NI and rather pumps out propaganda pieces. There is much more to be taken on board.
And of course we need something like green/red lanes, but by negotiation and agreement
Parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol are causing problems for businesses and communities in Northern Ireland.
Our solution to fix these issues: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/northern-ireland-protocol-bill
Northern Ireland Protocol Bill ‘built on sand’ claims Alliance’s Farry after legislation clears first Commons test https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/northern-ireland-protocol-bill-built-on-sand-claims-alliances-farry-after-legislation-clears-first-commons-test-41797238.html
Yesterday's Protocol Bill was based around a number of false assumptions and disingenuous pretexts. Brexit poses the threat to the GFA. The Protocol offers a soft landing. It is far from perfect solution, but negotiations based on trust are only way forward.
"This is an extremely bad bill. It's unwanted, unnecessary and indeed it's dangerous," says @StephenFarryMP on the Protocol Bill and how causes major problems for NI.
This is a very good point by @StephenFarryMP about the complaint - made much of in Sunak’s spring statement - that the Protocol’s had the effect of stopping NI getting reduced rate VAT on energy saving materials. It didn’t get it because the government has failed to ask for it.
There are plenty of options remaining that the Government can pursue, says @StephenFarryMP. "People say there's no alternative to this Bill. Let me be very clear: there is." #NIProtocolBill
Withering accuracy from @StephenFarryMP in this evenings protocol debate.
Listening to Liz Truss trying to defend her Protocol Bill would be comedy gold if the matter wasn't so serious
The Protocol Bill is not wanted by a clear majority of people in NI. The business community have voiced huge concerns. This Bill would do immense harm to NI and whole UK. Only way forward lies through constructive negotiations.
.@StephenFarryMP has called on the House of Commons to defeat the disgraceful Protocol Bill. Speaking ahead of the Second Reading debate, he stressed that the legislation is very harmful to both Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole.
https://www.allianceparty.org/protocol_bill_deserves_to_be_comprehensively_defeated_says_alliance
.@StephenFarryMP has called on the House of Commons to defeat the disgraceful Protocol Bill. Speaking ahead of the Second Reading debate, he stressed that the legislation is very harmful to both Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole.
https://www.allianceparty.org/protocol_bill_deserves_to_be_comprehensively_defeated_says_alliance
An incredible evening at the conferral of the #FreedomoftheBorough from Ards and North Down Borough Council on the #IrishGuards #ArdsandNorthDown #Freemen #TurloughMór #Pipes #Drums
Very sad news. Jim Fitzpatrick was a giant in the NI media and the wider community over many decades. I always enjoyed talking with him. Our deepest sympathies to the Fitzpatrick family and the Irish News team. https://twitter.com/irish_news/status/1540661668149092352
Also got to finally catch up with a man I’ll respect forever for what he did for Afghans. @StephenFarryMP thank you Sir
A shameful, political and anti-woman decision from the US Supreme Court. More reactionary decisions may follow. Around the world previously accepted mights are under attack.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/24/supreme-court-abortion-ruling/
Failure to reform Assembly and Executive risks future of devolution, says @naomi_long as she writes to Governments.
See more here -
https://www.allianceparty.org/failure_to_reform_assembly_and_executive_risks_future_of_devolution_says_long_as_she_writes_to_governments
Well done @LibDems @RichardFoordLD. What an amazing result. Such a powerful message for decency, integrity, and positive change in UK politics.
Liberal Democrats WIN Tiverton and Honiton.
Congratulations @RichardFoordLD.
Devon has spoken for the country: The public is sick of Boris Johnson’s lies and law-breaking and it’s time for Conservative MPs to finally do the right thing and sack him.
Many thanks to @StephenFarryMP
for meeting with me today to
discuss the UK’s pledge to the
@GlobalFund. A fully funded replenishment this year will save 20 million lives from being lost to AIDS, TB and Malaria. An ambitious @FCDOGovUK pledge is essential
"This will face serious issues of legitimacy, in terms of the wider victims community," says @StephenFarryMP on the Government's Troubles ‘amnesty’ legislation.
For transparency around my engagement with former Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan at NI Affairs Committee yesterday
Arising from the exchange between Sir Declan Morgan and @StephenFarryMP at NIAC yesterday, here is the proposal and our response 👇
Wherever they are from, whatever they are fleeing, we are open and welcome to them.
Because 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 deserves the right to safety.
#RefugeeWeek
For weeks, Boris Johnson and his ministers have been expressing their supposed commitment to all parts of the GFA.
Today, I challenged that hypocrisy in light of the Government Bill to hollow out UK commitment to ECHR
Today the Conservative Government begins its attempt to unpick the European Court of Human Rights, all while the Prime Minister claims to uphold the Good Friday Agreement.
But there is no GFA without the ECHR.
@StephenFarryMP has called out this shameless hypocrisy.
"This PM has made clear on multiple occasions his commitment to the GFA. That includes the ECHR being part of domestic law.
"How can he stand over that commitment when the Justice Sec is about to publish a bill that disapplies the Human Rights Act?" @StephenFarryMP #PMQs
More culture war destructive politics from UKG.
Human rights protections are integral to liberal democracy.
The ECHR is not a menu. You are either fully adhering to it and the Court or you are not.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61887933
The Protocol Bill is counterproductive and dangerous. UKG has not taken negotiations with the EU seriously.
Today, I challenged Liz Truss on set out her negotiating strategy with EU. There is none. It is just megaphone diplomacy and bluster.
The only way forward on the Protocol is the UK and EU negotiating and building trust. Unilateral action is destructive - megaphone diplomacy is no strategy, as @StephenFarryMP told Foreign Secretary Liz Truss today.
Long before issues of a hard border, the consequences of the Protocol Bill would be NI losing legal access to SM and NI goods, produce and components excluded. Respectable businesses will always want to operate and will lose a big market.
Donaldson : “I think the EU need to be clear”
“They need to be honest with people. Are they threatening a hard border on the island of Ireland? Because that is the only conclusion, you can reach if the EU is going to prevent NI businesses from trading in the Single Market.”
We need to extend Sunday trading hours, says @EricHanvey2 on what need to be done to reinvigorate Belfast city centre.
Today, @SorchaEastwood told #BBCNolanShow that it's on all politicians to work together to ensure the prosperity of Northern Ireland.
Well done to all of the @NIFRSOFFICIAL youth cadets who graduated today in Bangor. Great to see them showing off their new skills. Grateful for ongoing service of NIFRS to the community.
Congratulations to all the @NIFRSOFFICIAL cadets who graduated today 🎊 You are a credit to your families, NIFRS & our community. Thanks also to the incredible volunteers who give their time to support, guide & train our young people #MakingADifference #community #volunteers 🚒👩🚒
"There are no sacred cows." @PaulaJaneB tells @MarkCarruthers7 there will be no "parish pump politics" from @allianceparty over potential changes to the health service...
Some great photos from the Columbanus Community Folk Festival in Bangor.
What a sensational night! 🤩 Thankyou to Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for the kind invite to join you for an evening of traditional Irish music, song & dance performed by #CelticStorm & #MairtinOConnorTrioBand supported by @ANDborough #Columbanus #Community #Folk #Festival
Great night at the Columbanus Community Folk Festival at the St Comgall's Parish Centre in Bangor. Thanks to Ards CEE.
Looking forward to the #Columbanus Community Folk Festival this evening with friends at St Comgalls #CityOfBangor
So @benhabib6’s hot take on refugees and Rwanda is even more ill-informed and frankly deranged than his understanding and contribution to Northern Ireland
The Rwanda plan could be made to work:
Deploy Rwandan flagged ships in the Channel to pick up illegal migrants. On board they would immediately be subject to Rwandan law
Take them straight to Rwanda.
No risk to lives
@TalkTV @GBNEWS
@pritipatel
"The Assembly has been an impediment, in some respects, to LGBT equality"
@EoinTennyson tells @MarkCarruthers7 the current structures at Stormont means it is incapable of reflecting Northern Ireland today
Today a Parliamentary Committee considered the latest regulations on the commissioning of abortion services in NI.
I welcome clarification from @BrandonLewis that he will directly commission services as soon as his new team of experts in @NIOgov have done the necessary prep.
Must be wonderful living in a unicorn world and never have to take responsibility for your actions
Britain can 'easily deal with' the Good Friday Agreement while withdrawing from the ECHR, by replacing it with a British Bill of Rights, according to Richard Tice of Reform UK.
@IainDale | @TiceRichard
UK Ministers have been expressing their new found commitment to all aspects of the GFA to rationalise their assault on the Protocol. But the ECHR is hardwired into the Agreement.
The Gov't can't have it both ways, and hint at removal of the ECHR without jeopardising the GFA.
The ECHR protects all of us against abuse from governments via legislation agreed to by the UK Parliament.
The ECHR is also hardwired into the Good Friday Agreement.
This vile Government will do anything for power. But yesterday shows that together we can overcome them.
Helen Keys speaking at @NFFNUK event in Parliament alongside @LinesMartin and @StephenFarryMP
Real challenges for Northern Ireland to transform farming to meet carbon and biodiversity targets.
Alliance's @StephenFarryMP:“The [European] convention is hard-wired into that [Good Friday] agreement. Does she therefore agree it is untouchable?”
Patel: “Because of the legal proceedings that are taking place…I’m not going to pre-empt any remarks or comments around the ECHR."
Great news. But what a stressful and traumatic day for the refugees.
And good to have the ultimate protections of the ECHR.
Watch out for the backlash from Priti Patel.
🚨🚨BREAKING: There are now NO passengers on the Rwanda deportation flight.
No one will be being deported to Rwanda from the UK tonight.
European Court of Human Rights issued last minute injunctions to stop the move.