Experience from Northern Ireland in the european parliament. Come on, conference, show us what you think. Applause. Sadly, conference, diane is now the only representative standing strong for Northern Ireland in europe at a time when other representatives spend more time either attacking or ignoring the views and concerns of unionism. So whether in local council chambers, london or brussels, it is the Democratic Unionist Party at the centre of the debate. Sinn fein claimed to be shaping the debate, but in truth they have been reduced to glorified lobbyists posing for pictures to post on twitter. Never before have we asa post on twitter. Never before have we as a small Regional Party carried so we as a small Regional Party carried so much responsibility in parliament in particular and i do pay tribute to the fortitude and to the wisdom of our deputy leader, nigel, as he leads us. Applause and in the days and weeks ahead, we can be confident that all of our members of parliament will continue to speak up for the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland. Because when we believe that the government is pursuing policies that are in the interests of the United Kingdom as a whole and Northern Ireland in particular, we will work with them and indeed others in the pursuit of a more prosperous Northern Ireland because the votes given to us by people across Northern Ireland in 2017 meant we we re Northern Ireland in 2017 meant we were able to secure additional money, for schools, roads, and hospitals in Northern Ireland. This funding from our confidence and supply agreement with the conservatives has been delivered. The money is here. It is funding extra gps, improving Mental Health services, it is funding breakfast clu bs services, it is funding breakfast clubs and after school clubs in your area. And for those of you who still cant watch youtube, not that im a fan but im just saying, you still cant watch youtube without that frustrating buffering notice, i have good news. £150 million from the confidence and supply agreement is being used to transform rural broadband. Faster broadband is on its way. So ladies and gentlemen, the 1 its way. So ladies and gentlemen, the1 billion its way. So ladies and gentlemen, the 1 billion extra its way. So ladies and gentlemen, the1 billion extra pounds its way. So ladies and gentlemen, the 1 billion extra pounds for Northern Ireland shows the difference it makes when you turn up, take your seats, and you use your vote for the betterment of eve ryo ne your vote for the betterment of everyone in Northern Ireland. Marylou and michelle blamed the confidence and supply agreement for blocking the Northern Ireland assembly but the constituencies impacted most by the broadband money have sinn fein mps. Indeed, of over 450 have sinn fein mps. Indeed, of over a50 schools receiving funding from the £1 billion, over 30 of those schools received funding to help them teach the Irish Language. So, whilst others talk, whilst others tweet, the dup delivers. Applause we have used our ten votes to help everyone. So, this conference has a message for connolly house. Stop making excuses, stop boycotting and get back to work cheering applause so, with our ten votes been so critical in parliament, there is a great responsibility to make sure we support the right decisions for Northern Ireland. To have the boldness and strength to stand up and say no, when we need to. Anton brexit, we will not give support to the government when we believe they are fundamentally wrong and acting ina way are fundamentally wrong and acting in a way that is detrimental to Northern Ireland and taking us in the wrong direction. We will oppose them and use our votes to defeat them. Let me say clearly from this platform today that we want to support a deal. A deal that works for the whole of the United Kingdom and does not leave Northern Ireland behind. But without change, we will not vote for the Prime Minister is agreement. It would be bad for Northern Ireland economically and wea ken Northern Ireland economically and weaken the foundations of this great United Kingdom. The brexit secretary says there will not be Northern Ireland and Great Britain paperwork. Then he says theyre well. The Prime Minister says there will not be checks but then we are told there will be. Now we are told it can be sorted by a joint committee with the European Union. Weve been clear, weve been honest with the government throughout this process, and we expect the same in return. The customs and consent arrangements must be reeses must be revisited. We worked intensively with the government in recent weeks to try and reach a fair and balanced deal. We were not seeking a perfect deal. We were not seeking a perfect deal because no such deal exists. We we re deal because no such deal exists. We were seeking a deal which delivers brexit without erecting barriers to trade. Dublin and brussels belatedly reopened mrs mays deal having rigidly refused to do so. And having told us it could not be renegotiated, it was. I would encourage the Prime Minister to do the same again. The one sided approval mechanism for the assembly ta kes approval mechanism for the Assembly Takes no account of power sharing. Indeed it would lead to sinn fein, the sdlp and the Alliance Party ganging up to render unionist votes irrelevant. And if you believe in the principles of power sharing, those principles must be enshrined in any deal. Furthermore, the east west checks as proposed would lead to excessively bureaucratic burdens for trade between britain and Northern Ireland, and consequently higher prices and less choice for consumers. Because, as nigel has said, we trade far more with Great Britain than the republic of ireland, European Union and the rest of the world combined. Yet the proposals that see our east west trade subject to the rules of the European Union customs union, notwithstanding that we remain part of the customs union. We do not consider the proposals to be in Northern Irelands long term interests and they are clearly without support within unionism. Last saturday and tuesday of this week, it was the votes of the dup that altered the course of events. 0ur votes mattered, and our votes will matter in the coming days. We will matter in the coming days. We will continue to work to shape a solution in Northern Irelands interests and we willjudge each situation against what is best for Northern Ireland economically and constitutionally within the union. There is much talk about the holding ofa there is much talk about the holding of a general election and this party is ready for any general election that may come. We have a strong record to put to the people. Now, more than ever, we will seek a mandate to ensure Northern Ireland has the Strongest Team fighting for it. But make no mistake, this will be the most unpredictable election outcome in the United Kingdom for a generation. Many beyond Northern Ireland will eagerly be watching the results to determine how Northern Ireland should be treated. Northern ireland should be treated. Northern ireland will need a strong, experienced and united voice that can speak for unionism and get Northern Ireland moving again. Every vote cast in every constituency and the number of seats secured by this party will help shape the direction of Northern Ireland for our grandchildren. Last month, i set out the principles of what i termed next generation unionism, and our vision for Northern Ireland entering the next century. Monday Northern Ireland has changed and will continue to. Today, we are launching a detailed document on next generation unionism and i look forward to engaging with everyone who values Northern Irelands position about issues explored. Ive written to other parties engaging with them around it and the first meeting is already taking place on monday. I will seek to stimulate interest among other groups and interests as well and we want those engagements to extend far beyond Political Parties. It must be a much broader discussion right across the community. It is time to commence a conversation recognising that politicians dont have all the a nswe is. Politicians dont have all the answers. Unionism should be inclusive, welcoming and embracing to all. It should permit individuals to all. It should permit individuals to express the cultural issues that they choose and well many focus on ulster scots and unionism, let me be clear, it is not compatible to be an irish speaking unionist, there may be some here today and because. Because the background of unionists are many and varied, unionism should have many portals and multiple gateways in. But the inescapable fa ct gateways in. But the inescapable fact remains that people value Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom for a wide ranging economic, social, historical, cultural reasons. And of course, culture can play a big part in the identity of who we are. Too often they were Northern Ireland, culture has been demeaned, and demonised. All proven detrimental to progress here. Northern ireland is rich in different cultures and we need to embrace and cherish them in a manner that threatens no one. Those who seek to engage in a cultural war engage in a battle because Northern Ireland is big enough to accommodate everyones culture. As unionists, it is in our long term strategic interest to ensure that everyone, regardless of culture, feels at home in Northern Ireland. That is why in talks with other Northern IrelandPolitical Parties we have proposed principles surrounding cultural expression, and identity, that can harness undeveloped all that is good about these pursuits. We must use them as a force for good to educate and help give people confidence, and develop as individuals. We are so much more than just my traditions in Northern Ireland now and we need to give our new identity space to grow and prosper. As Northern Ireland approaches its centenary, it is the opportunity to promote all that is good about where we live. There should be a broad range of events, something for everyone of every background and there should be the opportunity for investing in Northern Ireland and westminsters department for international trade, to promote investment in Northern Ireland. Likewise for tourism Northern Ireland to reap rich rewards. We want to see a fund established for centenary events and we have proposed a centennial expo to showcase all Northern Ireland can offer. A homecoming event ought to be pursued as other initiatives involving Northern Ireland across the world. Materials and resources should be developed for Youth Engagement and tools, and the story of the Northern Ireland state should be told. However important our history is, the future is much more important. Looking back at previous generations, it may be interesting and instructive patellar duty and responsibility is to look forward to the next generation. We must leave the next generation. We must leave the next generation a better Northern Ireland than the one we inherited. So we all need to get Northern Ireland moving again. We need to ensure that in the place we call home, we have decentjobs, real opportunities for young people, and Education System that leaves no child behind, and a reformed Health Service able to deliver the best in class services. We want to rekindle a generosity of spirit that has been missing for some time. We want to reach out and help our friends and neighbours value the contribution of older citizens, help them more vulnerable in society and importantly value the sanctity of life. Ladies and gentlemen. Applause last monday, this party was in the assembly chamber. While other parties stayed away or walked out. When it comes to the life of the unborn child, this party will not be found wanting. We will continue to work with all those who recognise that both lives matter. Cheering applause where there is diversity and difference of view, we should not hide from it, norfear it. But we must abate and seek to persuade in the spirit of respect and understanding for the other point of view. Rightly, there will be many policy areas where we will differ from others and sometimes fundamentally so. But we can do that in an honest and gracious manner. People are proud of where they come from. Proud of belfast, and of Northern Ireland. Of game of thrones, and our tourism offer, and the cruise ships that come to belfast. They know that Northern Ireland needs a government. To have a Better Health care system, to really get to grips with organised gangs and criminality, and offer the bestjob gangs and criminality, and offer the best job prospects gangs and criminality, and offer the bestjob prospects for gangs and criminality, and offer the best job prospects for young gangs and criminality, and offer the bestjob prospects for young people. Too many fear that the Peace Process has stalled. And that we are heading in the wrong direction. Taking decisions locally, it undoubtably helps with bread and butter issues but also provides vital stability and bolsters the peace and strengthens relations. That is good for Northern Ireland. So i want to see the assembly and executive rejuvenated, and re energised. We are upfor rejuvenated, and re energised. We are up for that. We know that Northern Ireland works best when we work together. And to get a deal to bring stormont back, there will need to be an agreement we can all support. Ive already committed more than two years ago to seek accommodation and legislate in a balanced way for language and culture, including the Irish Language. Unfortunately, we come in the west, have had to many painful experiences of the manner in which councils, particularly in the west and south, have sought to implement english language Irish Language policies. But we recognise there are many in Northern Ireland who love the language and its an intrinsic pa rt the language and its an intrinsic part of who they are. My offer stands, if we can find a way that facilitates those who speak their language and does not inappropriately infringe or threaten others, the dup will not be found wanting that that overall agreement needs to be a two way street and the dup wants to see mechanisms to cultivate and grow relationships between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, through all walks of life. Including educational and cultural connections. If stormont is to be returned on a long term basis, that means sharing the responsibility of afair means sharing the responsibility of a fair deal. No winners or losers. Everyone putting their best foot forward to provide a brighterfuture forward to provide a brighterfuture for us all. Some may seek to put obstacles for us all. Some may seek to put o bsta cles in for us all. Some may seek to put obstacles in our way but we will seek an agreement. When i became leader in december 2015, i said that i wanted this party to be a party of ideas, not ideology. Im therefore delighted that as a party we are undertaking a much more complaints of policy Development Programme than ever before, ranging from the environment, childcare, Mental Health services for veterans, house of lor