YouSaid · the spoken record

Jeffrey Donaldson

lines on the record: 35
first: 2021-09-10
most recent: 2021-09-10
sittings or episodes: 1
sources: podcast

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Indeed, I do. Percy French, and it has been actually turned into a beautiful piece of music as well, where the mountains have borne sweep down to the sea. And that refers to Newcastle and County Down. And if you've never had the opportunity, Nick, to visit the Mornes, I'd love you to come to my constituency as well, by the way, Royal Hillsborough, is definitely worth a visit. But the Mountain of Mornes are stunning in their beauty.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Yes, I'd love to spend more of my time following Formula One. I have a real passion for the sport. But Nick, what I have a greater passion for is this. I want to be able to walk the country lanes of Northern Ireland in my retirement. I want to walk those hills in the Morn Mountains, see the beauty of our country, but see a people that are at peace. I want to see in Northern Ireland that is economically prosperous and stable. My retirement will be complete and my retirement will be fulfilled if I can see, as I look around me, the beauty of my country, a people at peace with each other. That is what I desire more than anything else in the world.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“That's simply not true, Nick. Last year, unionists said yes to the new decade, new approach agreement, and we went back into a power sharing government that includes Sinn F ⁇ in. And we did so on the basis that everyone would honour the commitments they made in that agreement. And all that I'm asking is that they do so. And one of those key commitments was a commitment by the UK government to protect Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market. That's part of the agreement that formed the basis for renewing power sharing last year. I don't think it's unreasonable, Nick. At this stage, almost two years after that agreement, to expect the government to honour its commitment and to protect our place within the UK internal market.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, first of all, Nick, if I'm so terrified of that, why on earth am I talking about an early election? Look, I don't fear the electorate. I never have. I've never in my life run away from an election, just as at the age of 18, when my community was in danger, I didn't run away. I stood my ground, sought to protect my community.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, look, of course, people have a view, but when you look at all of the polls, you will see a strong majority in favour of remaining in the United Kingdom. Even the most recent polls that you've referred to show very clearly a majority of people in Northern Ireland want to remain in the UK. And if and when there ever is a border poll, I am confident that a majority, a clear majority in Northern Ireland will vote to remain part of the United Kingdom. That is not the issue at hand at the moment, Nick, because there is a border poll. The issue at hand is whether the current arrangements undermine our place in the United Kingdom without the consent of the people of Northern Ireland. And that is what is happening.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, I think that the protocol needs to be replaced with new arrangements that respect Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market. So in my opinion, what is there isn't working. In the words of Lord Frost, it's not sustainable. Therefore, it should go and be replaced by a new arrangement that works for every”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I said remove the IRC border, and that's what needs to happen because the Prime Minister told us there would be no border in the IRC, and now he needs to honour that pledge.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, what he said to us was obviously said sometime in advance of his decision to sign up to the protocol as part of the EU withdrawal agreement. We told him then what impact this would have on our relationship with the rest of the UK. We told them then the harm that this would do to Northern Ireland. And I hope now the Prime Minister sees that our warnings were right and that he does the right thing. You know, Nick, it is never too late to put right what is wrong. It's never too late to do the right thing. And I hope now in the next few weeks the Prime Minister will do that and that he will honour the commitments given in the command paper published in July and address the difficulties and resolve the difficulties that this protocol has created and remove the Irish Sea border. But you said it would never happen.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, I suspect it was the latter. In the end, you have to take someone at their word and test that word. We did that and when the Prime Minister brought forward the protocol, you will recall Nick that we blocked the EU withdrawal agreement. And because of our votes, the Prime Minister was not able to proceed with his withdrawal agreement, including the protocol, and had to go to the country. He called an election.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Look, it was disappointing that the Prime Minister who came to Northern Ireland and gave pledges that there would be no border in the Irish Sea in the end agreed to a protocol that delivered a border in the Irish Sea. And we've made clear to the Prime Minister that he should honour the commitments he gave at that time and remove that border. But look, that's politics, Nick. You do your best, but we were in circumstances in 2019 where even with our support, the Prime Minister had lost a majority.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, I like to think I'm a tough negotiator, but I'm fair. In the end, I will try and reach an accommodation with people. And yes, we did hold the government's feet to the fire to ensure that we got the best deal for Northern Ireland. And to note, Nick, the money that we got for Northern Ireland was for everyone. And it benefited everyone right now in my own constituency. I've got households being connected to rural broadband services as a result of that confidence Palai agreement, who otherwise wouldn't have access to high-speed broadband. And it goes to every home in the area, and it doesn't matter what your political background. So I think that what we did then in delivering that much needed funding to invest in our infrastructure in Northern Ireland was something that was good and that continues to benefit people.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“No, I didn't, no, no. There were two pans, one for myself and one for Gavin Williamson, who was then the government chief whip, and we signed the agreement and both Gavin and I were allowed to keep the pen that signed the agreement. So look, and that's something that I think was the right thing to do at the time. The alternative was for Parliament not to be able to proceed, for a government not to be formed. And we felt it was in the interest of the UK at that time, given all that was going on, to have a government. And that's why we supported the formation of a minority conservative government. People said you were a face of negotiation.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Yes, it's true. I did keep the, I was allowed to keep the pen, I should add, that was used to sign the confidence and supply agreement.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, we still have some way to go, I think, on that journey. But let me say this, Nick. Of course, there are risks that have to be taken when you are involved in building peace. But what you can't do is go on indefinitely where people feel to do what they need to do to build that peace. Actually, it was a result of our pressure brought through the St. Andrews Agreement in 2006 that finally Sinn F ⁇ in stepped up to the mark. The IRA decommissioned their weapons, and Sinn F ⁇ in signed up to support the police under rule of law. And I regard that as one of the high points of my political career, that we were able to bring Sinn F ⁇ in to the point where before they could enter government in Northern Ireland, they were required to deal with the issue of IRA arms, of illegal IRA weapons, and accept that it's the”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I think we're entitled after 30 years of violence neck to be able to see clear evidence that people have put violence behind them. They put it in the past. And for me in the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement, the key element was whether the IRA were prepared to set aside their arms. For me, that symbolised that the IRA were finally putting violence behind them. But the agreement didn't deliver that. The agreement outlined an aspiration towards some form of disarmament, but it didn't provide the means on which that could be achieved. And that for me was important also. I felt the agreement disrespected the rights of the innocent victims, thousands of men and women who had either been killed or maimed as a result of the troubles. And I felt the agreement didn't do enough to look after their needs and their welfare. And here we are.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, in fact, I grew up next door to a Catholic family. There were two boys. We played together like normal children. We knew that there was a difference, but my parents brought me up to respect my neighbours no matter who they were or what their background. And I've tried to do that in my politics as well, Nick. I think that those principles, that approach to life that my parents taught me is something that I've tried to share with others in politics. I may disagree with my political opponents, but I hope they know that I respect them, that we are equals, that I want to build a Northern Ireland of equals. I want to build a Northern Ireland, which is about a shared future where our children can play together, where they can be educated together, where our families can grow up together, where they can work together. And that's what a shared society really means. There's still some way to go to achieve that.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Determined that won't happen, but we have to face up to the reality that we have difficulties at the moment that do need to be addressed.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, and look, we were no different to many families, so I'm not sharing this, Nick, because I believe that somehow we were a special case we weren't. But yes, you were always worried about the knock on the door. Who was it? You were always at night suspicious of people calling at your home. We had to check under our car every time the family went out to see, would there be a bomb under the car? And that was life. That was what life was like growing up in the Northern Ireland that I was born into. And that's why I've dedicated so much of my life to moving Northern Ireland beyond that. And I'm glad that my children have grown up largely in a more peaceful Northern Ireland. And that makes politics all worthwhile for me, Nick. It's why I am so committed to resolving the problems that we have at the moment, because we've all invested too much to bring Northern Ireland this far. We cannot allow Northern Ireland to be dragged back to the past.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I doubt there were many families in Northern Ireland who didn't talk about the troubles as we described them around the kitchen table. It impacted on so many families and my father at that time was a part-time member of the army, of the Ulster Defence Regiment, and he would be out serving his country at night and those were dangerous times.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I do, I remember when my uncle came a knock on the door one morning, early in the morning, and my uncle was stood there and he delivered the news that Samuel had been murdered alongside another RUC officer at a place called Cross McGlenn in South Armagh. And I remember then the impact that that death had, that Samuel's death had, not just on the wider family, but on the wider community, and it left its mark. And it was one of the things that motivated me to get involved in a way that was designed to move Northern Ireland beyond that.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Yes, and I remember the impact that this had on the wider family circle and on the community that I lived in, a quiet rural, close-knit community in the southern part of County down close to the border.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, that was on the 15th of August 1970, and Samuel was the first RUC officer to be murdered by the Provisional IRA in what became known as the Troubles. You would have been”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, as I said, Nick, at the age of 18, I took a decision to do something, to try and move Northern Ireland on, to protect the community that I was living in at the time, but also I became involved in politics as well at the age of 18. So when I came of age, if you like, I took two decisions. One, to stand with my father and my brothers and others to try and protect our community against terrorism. And secondly, I got involved in politics because I recognized that in the end there wasn't a security solution per se to the problems of Northern Ireland. It was through politics that we would change things for the better. And I still believe that. You all said...”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, there are two types of people in politics. Those who, when there is a crisis, run towards danger to try and sort things out. And those who don't. And when I was 18 years old, Nick, and when Northern Ireland was at the height of the violence and the turmoil of what we call the troubles, I put on the uniform of the Ulster Defence Regiment and stood on the front line with my comrades to try and protect the community against terrorism. So I don't run from trouble. I try to do what I can to sort trouble out, to stop it from happening, to safeguard people. And so that's why I've stepped forward to become leader of the DUP at this point in my life, because I want to find solutions to the problems that confront our people in Northern Ireland. I want to build a strong, prosperous, peaceful Northern Ireland. And I think I've got a few years left yet.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, as I've said, we are engaging with the government on an ongoing basis. I think they know what needs to be done, and we certainly know what needs to be done. And we need to work together to deliver that, not just because it benefits one particular political party, but actually the protocol is harming everyone in Northern Ireland. It's harming businesses right across the community. It's harming consumers right across the community. So I want to get this done and find a solution for the benefit of all in Northern Ireland.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I have discussed these matters with the government on an ongoing basis, and not just with our own government, I also met the Irish Prime Minister as well and discussed it with him.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, I'm saying that what we need is a solution, and I'm prepared to work with the government to find that solution, but we need to do that.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, I'm simply saying in a democracy in the end, if politics is not delivering what the people need, then there comes a point where you have to go to the people. And I think that we're approaching that point in Northern Ireland if we can't find a solution on the protocol. Did you discuss this?”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“democracy and they would remind you that in October 2019 Boris Johnson did precisely that he went to the country he brought down he closed parliament down and forced a general election so what is wrong with a politician a political party saying I want to go to the people I want to put my case to the people you understand by the”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“And of course, that's not the outcome I want. But to be clear, I think the time is coming where if the government doesn't honour the commitment it gave in new decade new approach, the basis of devolution is undermined. And look, Nick, what do we do? If we make an agreement in good faith with people and they don't honor that agreement, are we simply expected to say, oh, well, tough, we just have to accept that. We just have to watch our place within the United Kingdom eroded every day. We have to say to our constituents, I'm sorry, but the goods that you could buy in your supermarket six months ago were no longer available. You're just going to have to accept that. I'm sorry, Nick, that is not a tenable position for me as a political leader. And it's not one I am prepared to sustain. I am not afraid to go to the country. I'm not afraid to go to the people and say, this is what I believe and I'm asking you to support the stance that we are taking. And I think that's a perfectly reasonable thing to do.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Down. Now, in that agreement, the UK government gave a commitment as part of the agreement that they would protect Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market, and all I'm asking the government to do is to honour new decade new approach, honour that agreement, honour the basis upon which devolution was restored, do the right thing and protect our place within the UK, because that is what people in Northern Ireland actually want.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, actually, Nick, what I've been saying all summer to the boys on the streets is please don't be on the streets. And you will note that all summer, Northern Ireland has been peaceful. That didn't happen by coincidence. It happened because people like me, my political colleagues and community leaders have worked hard and persuaded people that politics is the way to resolve these issues, not street protest. So I don't want that, Nick. But I'm simply saying that if politics fails, And if we don't find the solutions, then I fear that there will be others who may decide to step into the gap. I don't want that to happen. So to be clear, I'm committed to finding solutions, political solutions, and I want to do that quickly. But here's the point, Nick. Last year, we had an agreement, new decade, new approach, which was the basis on which the political institutions in Northern Ireland were restored three years after Sinn F ⁇ in brought them crashing.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Just wants to move forward, and the union is secure because other people think it should be secure. Northern Ireland's place in the Union depends on the will of the people of Northern Ireland. It's the same in Scotland. Scotland's place in the Union depends on the will of the people of Scotland. Now, I want the people of Northern Ireland to continue supporting the Union. But right now, the future of the Union is threatened by this protocol, and I hope that the government will do the right thing now and honour the commitments they've already given to resolve these issues.”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“And here's my concern, Nick, is that actually the protocol is creating significant political instability. Earlier in the year, we had people back out on the streets again. There was civil unrest. There was violence on the streets. Now, I don't want that to happen. I want Northern Ireland to be peaceful, prosperous, stable. But I'm worried that if this protocol continues and people become more fearful about the future, then again, we will see people back out on the streets. And that is not good because it has the potential for further unrest. That's not something I want to see. So yes, you're right. We do need the peace process to deliver for Northern Ireland, to deliver prosperity for everyone in Northern Ireland. Right now, this protocol is getting in the way of that. And I don't actually believe that the future depends on whether we have a situation that everybody”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, first of all, greetings from Belfast, and it's a pleasure to be on your podcast. Yes, I really do believe that, Nick. I'm, as you say, passionate about the union. I grew up in Northern Ireland that was deeply troubled. And I'm delighted that we've made a lot of progress over the last few years. But I'm really worried that this protocol that has been imposed as a result of an agreement with the EU is going to drag us backwards. And that's not good for Northern Ireland. And it certainly isn't good for the Union because what the protocol does is creates a new border in the Irish Sea. And that means, in effect, that when my constituents in Lisbon or Hillsborough or Dramoor want to order goods from a supplier in Great Britain, even simple things like bulbs for their garden. Plants, seeds in their garden. They can't any longer order those products from”
2021-09-10 · Political Thinking with Nick Robinson · The Jeffrey Donaldson One · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source