The Secretary of State has hailed local Conservatives for their contribution to the campaign to devolve powers to lower Corporation Tax. In a speech to North Down Conservative Association, Theresa Villiers described the party as “a strong, common sense, centre-right voice in Northern Ireland”. She also said that Northern Ireland Conservatives had lobbied for Corporation Tax powers to be devolved “consistently and at every opportunity”.
“I am proud of the fact that we are the only truly national party that organises in Northern Ireland and offers people here the chance to vote for a party that can form their government”, Theresa commented. “And shame on both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats who still refuse to offer people in Northern Ireland that fundamental democratic choice. Of course we meet this evening just four months to polling day in the General Election, an election which will be a straight choice between Conservative competence or Labour chaos. Northern Ireland can play its part in that choice by backing Conservative candidates and helping to keep David Cameron in Downing Street.”
Ms. Villiers pointed to the government’s record of delivery for Northern Ireland, including ending double jobbing, providing for an opposition at Stormont, devolving Corporation Tax and the Stormont House agreement.
“Just before Christmas we delivered an Agreement that I genuinely believe will help us to build a more stable, prosperous and stronger Northern Ireland. The Agreement sets a path for the Executive to put its finances on a sustainable footing for the future, averting the impending budget crisis which was threatening the stability and credibility of the devolved institutions. Unlike our Labour predecessors this Government will implement our side of the Agreement faithfully and fairly. There are no side deals. I believe that the Stormont House Agreement represents a genuine and significant step forward for Northern Ireland… offering the prospect of real progress on some of the most intractable issues we face here, problems that have defied multiple attempts to resolve them over the years.”