Mike Nesbitt says English nationalism biggest threat to union

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Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Mike Nesbitt has highlighted the shift in the political landscape by stating that English nationalism is now the most significant threat to the union. Nesbitt made these comments during his address at the UUP’s annual conference, where he emphasized his goal of bringing hope through prosperity to the party faithful in Belfast. As the leader of the UUP, Nesbitt is also serving as the health minister in Northern Ireland’s devolved government.

During his speech, Nesbitt dismissed the possibility of a border poll on a united Ireland happening in the near future. He pointed out that while Irish nationalists have historically been seen as the primary threat to Northern Ireland’s place in the UK, English nationalism has now taken the spotlight. Nesbitt also raised concerns about the impact of English nationalist MPs on the funding that Northern Ireland receives from Westminster.

In his role as Stormont’s health minister, Nesbitt is facing financial challenges and working towards improving healthcare services while maintaining pay parity for healthcare workers. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to addressing the issues facing Northern Ireland and ensuring the region’s stability within the UK. The UUP leader also cautioned against supporting right-wing parties that could jeopardize the unionist cause.

As speculation arises about Nesbitt’s future as the leader of the UUP, with some suggesting that this might have been his last conference in this role, the party faces uncertainty regarding its leadership. The theme of the conference, centered on hope through prosperity, may be overshadowed by the looming question of who will succeed Nesbitt. With the party having experienced leadership changes frequently in recent years, the focus has shifted to the potential successors and the direction the UUP will take in the future

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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