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New Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire Andrew Matthews / PA Wire
Andrew Matthews / PA Wire / PA Wire
WITH THE FILLING out of new PM Theresa May’s cabinet, Theresa Villiers is out and James Brokenshire has taken over the top Northern Ireland job.
A relatively unknown quantity to those in the North, 48-year-old Brokenshire has previously served in cabinet as minister of state for immigration and came out in favour of a Remain vote in last month’s referendum.
Tweeting earlier this evening, the MP said that he was “delighted and honoured” to have been asked to serve in the position of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Coming into the job, Brokenshire will have plenty on his plate. First up will be how to deal with the delicate issue of Northern Ireland’s relationship with the Republic in a post-Brexit world.
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Delighted and honoured to have been asked by the Prime Minister to serve as Northern Ireland Secretary in her new Government.
On the issue of the border Brokenshire has marked it as a concern, without saying anything definite.
“Another huge challenge is to ensure that we make a success of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union,” he said.
“It is vital that Northern Ireland’s interests are fully protected and advanced including in relation to the border.
I am looking forward to working closely over the coming weeks and months with the Executive, the Irish government and the whole community in Northern Ireland to build a brighter, more secure future for everyone.
Also on the agenda will be the implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements which are in place to help tackle paramilitarism.
Securing Stormont’s finances and the future of the Good Friday Agreement are also priorities for the new appointee.
Prior to getting into politics, Brokenshire practised law for 13 years.
Other cabinet positions held by Brokenshire included minister for crime prevention and security minister at the home office.
During his time in government he led the negotiations with the Jordanian government that led to the deportation of radical preacher Abu Qatada, and also oversaw security operations in advance of the London 2012 Olympics.
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Pity really, I thought they’d appoint a ‘leave voter’. Once they realised that the British propping up this failed statelet is costing them as much as their EU contributions and giving no benefits such as access to large markets, they’d be pushing for a Ulsterexit sooner than a Brexit.
The Brits would hand The North back tomorrow if they tought they could get away with it and save face.
We give lip service to a united Ireland but really dont want it back either.
The North is the fat kid with two left feet that nobody wanted on their team in the school yard.
Obviously people who are devoid of a little bit of patriotism. A united Ireland is a United ireland no matter what the problems that it will incur. Do you think the people who fought for an independent Ireland worried about how much it would cost to become independent? That attitude would see us still have British passports but ironically a United Ireland.
The same woman who went to the maze, face to face with some of this islands most horrendous creatures, and pulled the wig off in exasperation at our political masters to get them to put their toys back in the pram. But you’re right, a long forgotten parade 25 years ago is what she should be remembered for.
22 billion budget. 8.5 billion direct subvention from the uk. Tantrum throwing politicians divorced from reality.good luck to him as he will be presiding over a post Brexit reining in of the basket case that is NI
Eamon are you kidding the 26 countries are never out of the north! Brokenshire is very funny for an Irish economy that was bust in 2008 and went cap in hand to Europe and the “north/UK” for a loan to keep your wreckless spending a float! Disappointed at your very very short term memory. The south are in no postion to judge!
The North has never stood on its own feet financially for a moment.
It is a failed state on constant life support from Britain both economically and culturally.
Its greatest export is outrage.
The North requires a bailout from London every single year to the tune of £10 billion. At least we paid back our loan, which was really about saving British banks with operations in Ireland.
It’s non post a bit like Secretary of State for scotland which is inhabited by a Hobbit called Mundell (Mundane) the only Tory MP in Scotland !
The Minister is a “fire in” and has nothing much to do as long as he lets the natives get on wth it and doesn’t get too exercised as its all been done before. Nothing new to see there. I’d go as far to say it was a sinecure. I notice there’s no loud noises about NI going it alone following the majority vote in favour of Remain (unlike the SNP)
Strange that but there again there is a genuine dependency culture st play here with “the mainland” whereas Scotland could genuinely stand alone if only they had the balls !
Scotland, I hope, will one day stand alone, proud and free. The Six Counties and its people will never be alone, they will always be part of the Irish nation. The ones who “settled” 400 years ago and consider themselves British will always have the freedom to express their identity in Ireland, preferably with a modicum of respect involved. I honestly believe bigotry and blind hatred will be overcome eventually. Its a matter of being patient.
Scotland will go it alone if and when it suits them! What Irish people don’t seem to realise is Scotland is part of the Union by choice. In fairness though, they do look at what an awful corrupt kip Ireland has become, and are as scared as hell!! Who’d blame them?
Alas the reunification of Ireland is now unattainable given the 23rd June vote A view across the border is now a view into alien non -eu territory Game over people get used to it.
Your kidding Joe.
The North would sink us for good.
Look at the red and green thumb reaction to the posts here and there’s your vote.
Nobody wants it.
Its like trying to flog a 1983 Lada.
Joe.. 2015 … 6 county state catholic school population 51%….protestant school population 42%….. mix and others.. 9%…..the days of 70% prostestant population are long gone….!!
According to a study done by Kurt Hübner, director of the Institute for European Studies at the University of British Columbia in Canada (who has good form regarding his study on German reunification), after 8 years reunification the whole island of Ireland would be €35 billion better off than keeping things as they are.
Try living in Donegal Andrew when in two years time all your oil,coal,gas, timber , fertilizer, cattle feed and much more must be transported from a non-EU port Derry or Belfast, and the nearest EU port without transiting non- EU country is Foynes 300 kms away..chaos ahead !!
One look at this guy’s CV will tell you why he was selected for this post. His skills are all security based – MI5, MI6, Home Office security, etc.
Just when the pressure is building on the spooks through numerous court cases, inquests, ombudsman reports and other enquiries, the British government need someone with a steady hand who will resist all attempts to expose their murder gangs and, more importantly, who controlled them at senior levels in the British government.
The best solution to the potential EU border in Ireland, The Irish Republic leaves the EU the border then is the same no problem 1922 agreement still the same as for a united Ireland thats for the people of the Emerald Isle to decide and then whichever way that goes create the North Atlantic Alliance as detailed below Perfect solution to the EU crisis scrap the EU start the North Atlantic alliance every country with a beach on the geographical North Atlantic Ocean would be entiled to Join Ireland UK Portugal Barbados USA Canada Iceland Greenland I Moroco I could go on all helping one another Trade Defence etc but all truly independent now that would be one of the greatest alliances on Earth particularly if also aligned to NATO then our continental freinds with no Atlantic beach can decide if they want us as mates or not
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