Christopher Stalford
South Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“In the United States of America, you have two schools of thought: the expansionists — the people who do not believe that the Founding Fathers should be taken at their word, or that the Constitution should be interpreted in the strict sense; and the originalists — those who do.”
“Let me make some progress. <BR /> <BR />The key point in the brief is the "particular circumstances" of Northern Ireland. That is, and should be, central to everything that we examine.”
“I do not think that it ever got particularly bad-tempered, so I am disappointed at the tone that was struck in the opening of the debate and in subsequent contributions, but I am not going to lie down like a dog and take it. I am not going to take the rewriting of history.”
“There is one absolute right in law, and that is the right not to be tortured. That is an absolute right that is accepted as a universal right. How many people did the fellow travellers of the party opposite deny that human right to? So I am not going to take that from any Member opposite when it comes to rights.”
“I have stated my position and made it clear that I think that we have a strong human rights framework in Northern Ireland. We have two bodies, established in law, that are dedicated to the protection of human rights and equality. We are one of the most human rights- and fairness-compliant societies in the world. It is important.”
“I appreciate the Member's giving way. She and I served together for many years on Belfast City Council, where people from different and disparate backgrounds had to work together because nobody had a majority. That was just the nature of the place. She talked about respect and disrespect.”
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“That is hurting the wider community, and it is not acceptable. <BR /> <BR />There is an alternative to behaviour like that, which is, as I said earlier in the debate, to get politically active and get involved in your local community. If you want to effect change, you can be part of positive change by involving yourself in your local community group, joining a political party, running for the council and making a contribution in that way through democratic means. <BR /> <BR />I have four young children, and I want them to grow up in a better society than that which I grew up in or that which my mother's generation grew up in at the height of the Troubles. We have a responsibility to point a way to all of our young people, because they deserve better than that which we had growing up.”
“Like the proposer of the motion and my colleague from South Belfast Deirdre Hargey, I am proud to come from a working-class background. It is devastating and heartbreaking to see violence on the streets of working-class communities, some of which I have the great privilege and honour of representing. <BR /> <BR />My message to the young people who are engaging in this reckless and criminal behaviour is to stop. It will achieve nothing, it will advance no cause, and, at the end of it, there is a genuine possibility that you will have destroyed your life forever by landing yourself with a criminal record. You are also destroying public services in your own communities. We have already heard reference to the fact that we have a situation in which transport workers are afraid to go to their place of work.”
“I am grateful to the Member for giving way. The Member knows that I come from a working-class background and live in a working-class housing estate. Does the Member agree that it is essential that we send a powerful message to our young people that the way to effect change in their community is to get politically involved and active, and to go down only the democratic routes that are available because the other routes will lead to ruin?”
“I am very grateful to my colleague for giving way. He will be aware that social media postings are being put up that are trying to entice people into further lawbreaking. Will my friend join me in urging young people especially to ignore those voices that will take them down a path that will destroy their lives?”
“I am grateful to the Member for giving way. I am very interested in what she just said. Does she agree with me that that illustrates that the movement rather than the people, the health service or the economy always comes first with Sinn Féin and that it is not a conventional political party in the sense of every other party in the Chamber?”
“I am grateful to my colleague for giving way. Does the Member agree that what we have here is a case not of confusion but of collusion. They plotted and conspired jointly — the police and Sinn Féin — to put in place the arrangements for that funeral.”
“I appreciate the Member giving way. Does he agree that one of the absolutely galling things about this situation is that, for week after week after week, the deputy First Minister, alongside the First Minister and sometimes the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Officer, has fronted up press conferences to tell our people how essential the restrictions are?”
“I am grateful to the Member for giving way. Does he agree that, over the course of this event, the police have created the dangerous impression that they will police those whom they can police while other people can get away without being policed?”
“However, because of policies and restrictions that she authored, other people were not able to give their friends or loved ones the send-off they would have wanted. The hypocrisy is astonishing. Michelle O'Neill should resign.”
“If that is the case, the PPS has fundamentally undermined its own credibility. The thing that sticks in people's craw most is that it reeks of a policy of entitlement and privilege: "Do as I say, but not as I do". People have had enough of being governed like that. <BR /> <BR />I recall the deputy First Minister's comments when she defended the fines issued to Black Lives Matter protesters. She said that it was the right thing to do because we were trying to control the spread of the virus and the virus was killing people. She said that in the context of Black Lives Matter protesters, but, seemingly, when republican royalty die, that principle no longer applies. I accept that the deputy First Minister has referred to Mr Storey as her friend, and that is her right and her privilege.”
“The conduct of Sinn Féin on the matter is a slap in the face to everyone else who has sacrificed so much during this period. Again, we heard from the Floor of the Chamber a classic politician's apology: "I am sorry if you were hurt". That is not the same thing as "I am sorry". "I am sorry if my actions offended you", is not the same thing as, "I am sorry". In fact, it puts the onus on the person who was hurt: "Well, it is your fault that you are offended, but I am sorry for that". People can see through such weasel words. <BR /> <BR />The people who have been fined, cautioned or threatened with fines or had their access to beauty spots or other places restricted are now well within their rights to demand their money back because it is now an accepted principle in Northern Ireland that ignorance of the law is a defence.”
“There were hundreds of people at the wake house, and now we know that that was facilitated by the PSNI. Collusion with the state is clearly acceptable in certain circumstances. <BR /> <BR />I find it outrageous that the Police Service of Northern Ireland acted in such a way. I agree with my colleague in expressing sympathy and support for the lower-ranking officers, who are being extremely badly led. I repeat the call of the First Minister that the Chief Constable of the PSNI should do the honourable thing and resign from his post.”
“<BR /> <BR />I recall last June, when this issue first presented, presenting to the deputy First Minister at the Executive Office Committee the example of a constituent of mine from the Belvoir estate who had had to bury her mother. She was devastated at the behaviour of the deputy First Minister. Until that point, she had said that she admired the approach and the collaboration taking place between the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in trying to get COVID under control. <BR /> <BR />We now know that the credibility of government messaging was shot by the actions of the deputy First Minister, and we also know what we saw with our own eyes. There were thousands of people in attendance at this funeral. It was widely advertised on social media. A PA system was set up in a cemetery in order to hold a political rally.”
“It is important that we place this debate in the context of the period that we have just lived through. Our people are living under crippling restrictions, with access to their friends, family and place of work actively restricted by the Government. Our people have lost huge swathes of their liberty and freedom. Our economy has been driven over a cliff in the name of controlling the COVID-19 virus. People have sacrificed and sacrificed and sacrificed, over and over again, in almost every aspect of their lives. For many people, the epitome of the restrictions that they are living under relates to the circumstances in which they can bury their loved ones.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Would he agree with me that, seemingly, in the republican world view, collusion with the PSNI is perfectly acceptable in certain circumstances?”
“Throughout the Brexit process, the deputy First Minister and other colleagues on that side of the House have been faithful cheerleaders for the European Commission. Given its disgraceful behaviour over the past 24 hours, with the European Commission now actively threatening vaccine supplies, not only for my constituents but for the deputy First Minister's, will she and the Remain parties in the Chamber care to revise their fealty to the European Commission?”
“I am grateful to the Member for giving way. She will be aware that, since the establishment of the Irish Republic, or the partition that she so loathes, it has been official government policy to sustain the Irish language. Will the Member tell me how much of a success that has been?”
“I am grateful to my friend for giving way. Does the Member agree that anyone who refers to Prince of Wales Avenue as POW Avenue is the very last person who should be talking about protecting rights?”
“OK. I fear that it is reflective of intolerance, and that is where, sometimes, I think that political parties are out of step with the community as a whole. <BR /> <BR />I hope that the content of the report will be published soon and that Members will be able to study it for themselves. In the meantime, I, once again, repeat my call for us to live peaceably alongside each other, because we all have to make this place work.”
“Thank you, sir. <BR /> <BR />It is poor form to stand to your feet to demand that your culture, your identity and your tradition be respected whilst, at the same time, denying that respect and integrity to the traditions of the people whom you work and live alongside. I very much regret the decision that was taken by the Assembly Commission. It was the wrong decision, and it sends out an appalling message about the decade of centenaries that we are going through. You cannot, later on in the year, make demands while, at this stage in the year, denying people their space and their place. It is important that people reflect on that. I do not think that the decision taken was respectful or appropriate. Aside from anything else, the Assembly Commission was not being asked to spend taxpayer money on the memorial.”
“I thank the Member for raising that point with me.”
“Instances of attacks on the property of the Orange Institution have gone up since we have supposedly become a more peaceful society. That demonstrates an intolerance, but, as I said at the start, I genuinely believe that the huge majority of our people are tolerant and want to live peaceably alongside their neighbours.”
“I think that that is working well. I, along with Clare Bailey, was involved in putting that agreement together. When we announced its provisions, some of those who have participated in the debate thus far could not wait to kick us hard enough for what we had proposed. What we have instituted, however, is working and will continue to work in that area. <BR /> <BR />As for the community that I come from, I am member of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Orange Order, the Apprentice Boys and the Royal Black Institution. My father was a member of the Orange, as was his father, as was his father, as was his father. That tradition goes way, way back in my family, and it is one from which I am very proud to come. It is a startling statistic that attacks on Orange halls have risen since 1994.”
“Stalford is not a Scottish name, but I am married to a Getty. Her mother is a Campbell, and my relatives have various Scots names. We are a blended people, with very different and diverse backgrounds. We have a vibrant community identity in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I want to be clear on the flags issue: I will always defend the dignified display of the flag of my country, and I will never make excuses for the display of anything that could be associated with a paramilitary organisation. I want to talk about a local compromise, which I worked on and which stretched people, that was reached in my constituency. We now have an agreement in place that governs the display of flags in the Ballynafeigh area. There is a set time for when they go up and for when they come down, and there are set places where they can go up.”
“The first principle in a discussion on culture, identity and tradition should be that the huge majority of people who live in Northern Ireland are tolerant. We are tolerant people. That is because, over many years, there have been three major cultural and identity influences here: the English influence, the Irish influence and the Scottish influence.”
“— he will give you an extra minute. I certainly would.”
“We also need to see capital investment in an awful lot of our schools, primary and post-primary. It would be remiss of me if I did not, yet again, take the opportunity to bend the Minister's ear about the need for investment in Nettlefield Primary School, not just because I went there. <BR /> <BR />This has been a positive discussion. I thank my colleague, Paula Bradshaw, for bringing it to the Floor of the Assembly, and, hopefully, actions will arise from it.”
“I hope that lessons will have been learned from that so that children with special educational needs are catered for in a way that is befitting. Were we starting blank on that site, if we are being honest, it would not look like that, nor would the educational provision. It has evolved in that way. There needs to be, in my view, a parent-led approach to securing the best SEN provision there. <BR /> <BR />I agree about the limited options, and that needs to be addressed. We cannot have a situation where, as at present, two pupils apply for every place that Lagan has. That school is deeply oversubscribed. In the spirit of someone who wants every school to be an integrated school in that sense, I think that it is important that that provision is there.”
“Almost all the schools in my constituency could be described as "integrated". It may not say "integrated" on the sign over the door, but I think of schools such as Rosetta Primary School, Knockbreda Primary School and Fane Street Primary School, where maybe 70 or 80 languages are spoken. All those schools in my constituency could be described as "integrated" because they reflect the diversity of our constituency. It is not for nothing that five different political parties represent South Belfast in this place: it is a diverse constituency. <BR /> <BR />I want to raise the issue of special educational needs (SEN) provision. I do not think that the Minister was in post at the time, but, frankly, the Education Authority (EA) made an absolute hames of the consultation with parents over the provision of special education at the Harberton site.”
“It is important that Breda Academy be maintained, but it is also important that the controlled secondary school element of educational provision be maintained.”
“Therefore, I will always defend the principle of academic selection because of my lived experience and that of others in my family, who also enjoyed access to Wellington College. That was the school that members of our family always seemed to go to. I will always defend that principle. <BR /> <BR />I agree with Ms Bradshaw about area planning, and the disservice that it has done to the constituency through the years. We have now arrived at a situation where, in the entire constituency of South Belfast, we have one controlled secondary school remaining. The present situation is that kids from Sandy Row and the Donegall Road are heading up the road to the Boys' Model in North Belfast because they cannot find a school place.”
“South Belfast has some of the finest schools in Northern Ireland, offering some of the best educational experiences that young people can have. We always end up going down this road, but I have to defend the principle of academic selection. I believe in academic selection. I am standing here, speaking as someone who was born in Annadale Flats and comes from a working-class background. Had we been a family living in England, for example, the access that I had to the education that was given to me at Wellington College would never have been an option. In England, Wales and other places, in place of academic selection is selection on the ability of your parents to pay. My parents would never have been able to pay.”
“I appreciate the Member's giving way. I am very grateful to her. Does she accept that one of the reasons that people want to send their children to Lagan College is not necessarily because it is an integrated school but because it is a good school? Just as the Member does not like the preference for having a sibling at a school being used as part of the criteria to get you into a selective school, should that criterion continue to be used for integrated primary schools? Surely that is not particularly fair, especially if you look at where Lagan College is located and the number of non-integrated primary schools that are in the area.”
“The announcement has been made that pupils from preschool through to P7 will be returning to school. I want to raise the issue of Sure Start. I am given to understand that, for 10 days or thereabouts, the Department of Health has been assessing whether Sure Start can open. The First Minister, my Rt Hon friend, will know the wonderful work that Sure Start does, particularly with vulnerable children. May I encourage her and her Executive colleagues to expedite a decision on this issue in order that Sure Start can recommence its wonderful and important work?”
“— all Members will not be slow to support the easing of restrictions.”
“The Minister has presided over those interventions — more than any other Minister has made. <BR /> <BR />The point needs to be repeated that, in Northern Ireland, we have introduced £37·7 million of financial support for students and the higher-education sector. That has taken different forms, but all those interventions are designed to achieve one goal: to help students and young people through this time. To those who say that we need to help young people, I say that one of the best ways to do that is to set them free from continuous lockdowns. I hope that when the time comes, and we can do it in as safe a way as possible —”
“Moreover — I know this to be the case because I have asked about it repeatedly — the Minister for the Economy has received less than 40% of the funding from the centre that she bid for in relation to economic interventions. It is well and good for Members to say that the Minister must do this and must do that, but she needs to be given support in the Executive in order to deliver the schemes that Members want. <BR /> <BR />Despite the fact that she has been consistently short-changed by the Department of Finance, the Minister for the Economy has been able to deliver half a billion pounds' worth of economic interventions through her Department. I am glad that she was able to confirm to me that over 48 initiatives have gone through the Department for the Economy — more than any other Department.”
“I only have five minutes. <BR /> <BR />It needs to be opened up to allow educational activity to resume and to allow students to enjoy the benefit of the student experience. I declare an interest as the uncle of a first-year law student at Queen's University. The entire year has gone and that entire experience has been lost because of lockdown. <BR /> <BR />The motion and the amendment reflect the fact that we both want similar outcomes. The disagreement is about how to achieve them. No one should be in any doubt that both sides of the argument want similar outcomes. They want the maximum funding that can go to students to be delivered to them. <BR /> <BR />The scheme has been criticised. However, the Executive, on which several Members who have spoken are represented, agreed to the criteria that we are discussing.”
“<BR /> <BR />The economy needs to be opened up because, whilst we all recognise the need for interventions like this, ultimately, we need economic activity to generate the resource that government will use to pay for the delivery of first-class education. It is important that we establish that as a first principle. I assume that it is the first principle held by everyone here — I hope that it is — that the economy needs to be opened up as quickly as possible to allow economic activity to resume.”
“This has been a very good-natured — by and large — debate and discussion around the issues facing our students and young people. There is no doubt that the last 12 months have been something of an annus horribilis for all of us but particularly for our students and young people. The impact that continued lockdowns have had are evident for all to see. I mentioned, during the debate, that in a recent answer to me, the Health Minister confirmed that Northern Ireland has now broken its own record for issuing antidepressant prescriptions. That is reflective of the mental health impact that these continued lockdowns are having.”
“I am grateful to the Minister for giving way. Will she confirm that, at present, her Department runs 48 economic intervention schemes, which is more than are being run by every other Minister combined?”
“I am grateful to the Member for giving way. She is right to say that students, particularly those in part-time work, have been absolutely hammered during the lockdown. That is why, at the most recent meeting of the Economy Committee, we agreed to write to the Department to ask for a full list of all the easements to the economy that the Minister sought. I do not think that any of those have been granted by the Executive. If the Minister is seeking to help people back to work, could the Member prevail upon her Executive colleagues to support the Minister in that cause?”
“The Member mentioned the problems with mental health. A recent response to a question for written answer that I submitted to the Minister of Health demonstrated the scale of the problem. Northern Ireland has set a new record for the number of antidepressant prescriptions issued during the last 12 months. Surely, we can all see the devastating impact that lockdown is having on people's mental health.”
“You will get an extra minute. Do not worry.”
“I am really grateful to the Member for giving way. He has just made the key point. It is important that we are honest and straight-talking with people, and I think that our amendment reflects the reality of the situation, both legally and politically. It is important that people make statements and take positions that are grounded in reality.”
“I appreciate the Chair of the Committee for giving way. As the Member knows, I represent South Belfast, and we have a significant student population. We also have a significant number of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and private landlordism in many parts of my constituency has destroyed the character of local communities. Does the Member agree that, while it may be legally right to hold people to contracts for properties, it is actually morally outrageous to do so?”
“That being the case, I presume that the Minister will publish the data that guides the decision-making processes.”
“At the commencement of the crisis, the Minister used the phrase "biblical proportions" to describe the scale of the challenge that we face. Given the answer that he has just provided, what assessment has the Department made of the impact that the biblical proportions of cancelled surgeries will have?”
“You, sir, determine whether items of legislation come before the Assembly. Can you speak to that?”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. It seems to me that the Member for my constituency is veering dangerously close to questioning the decisions of the Speaker's office.”