New Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has commented on the appointment of James Brokenshire MP as the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Mr Brokenshire takes over from Teresa Villiers MP who resigned from the Cabinet after refusing to accept a new job from Prime Minister Theresa May.
He was previously a junior minister at the Home Office with responsibility for immigration.
“Teresa Villiers was a hard working Secretary of State, albeit one with whom I’ve had my fair share of disagreements, and I wish her well in the future.
“As her successor, James Brokenshire will face many significant challenges and I urge him to approach these openly and with a listening ear.
“The most important issue the SDLP is working on is the campaign to protect Northern Ireland’s position in the European Union.
“In a welcome contrast to his predecessor, Mr Brokenshire was a Remainer, knew the benefits of staying in the EU and the consequences of leaving.
“In his role as Secretary of State he must act in the best interests of people of Northern Ireland, and I urge him to listen to his original instincts and ensure the democratic will here is upheld.
“The new Prime Minister Theresa May has already stated her Government will break from the past but here in Northern Ireland we must deal with the Past.
“That means accepting the needs of victims and survivors and and living up to their expectations.
“It means, in this post-Referendum world, the British Government accepting its duty to respect the position it holds as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.
“It means working with a whole island approach, with the new Secretary of State developing a closer relationship with the Irish Government.
“These issues are undoubtedly the most pressing for the new Secretary of State, and I look forward to meeting him to discuss them in the coming days,” added the Foyle MLA.
