The Prime Minister and Secretary of State visited the Park Avenue hotel in east Belfast on Friday, to attend a reception organised by local Tories. The Conservative leader spent some time talking to local business leaders, before addressing the guests. He was introduced by NI Conservatives’ co-chairman, Irwin Armstrong, who said that David Cameron, “is an amazing champion for jobs in Northern Ireland and for Northern Ireland PLC”.
The Prime Minister reiterated his faith in private enterprise to transform Northern Ireland, “I’m passionate about business and I’m absolutely clear that profit isn’t a dirty word – it means jobs and opportunities and I want those jobs and opportunities to flow here.”
David Cameron said he was “absolutely committed” to standing Conservative candidates in Northern Ireland. “I was delighted to meet our NI Conservative councillor, Brian Dunn, and I hope that there will be many more Conservative councillors here, following the next local elections. We’ll be standing a candidate in Europe next year and we have a hard-working, growing party in Northern Ireland.”
NI Conservatives’ co-chair, Trevor Ringland, said that the Prime Minister is, “passionately and personally committed to Northern Ireland”.
“He’s been backing this place to the hilt, with his comments at this morning’s investment conference and with his words to NI Conservative colleagues and business leaders this afternoon.”