Write a commentMEP Martina Anderson visited Newry last week meeting local community groups as well as party colleagues to discuss their concerns on leaving the EU.
Commenting on the uncertainty the MEP said “I met various groups in Newry today, all with a wide range of concerns representing very different sectors,” she said.
“However, the one thing they all have in common is uncertainty; uncertainty over what an EU exit means for them, what effect it will have on their businesses, members, families, on this area in general.
“The fact is that nobody knows, least of all the English Tory party who engineered this entire disaster or the DUP who supported them. What we are facing now is not the result of an informed electorate voicing their opinion; it is the fallout from a Tory civil war that has put the future peace and prosperity of everybody here in jeopardy. They quite happily destabilised all of Europe as part of an internal power struggle and these are the lunatics who are now assuring us they’ll do what’s best for the north.
"Among the groups I met with were members of the Confederation of Community Groups in Newry to discuss the potential impact of the EU referendum on the voluntary sector and how it will affect their access to funding.
“My colleague Conor Murphy urged them to continue to apply for EU funding as this fight is far from over.
“I met with the Whitegates Community Association and the Armagh Rhymers and discussed the potential impact on European cultural and arts support.
“The Newry and Armagh Community Restorative Justice staff were also keen to discuss how it would impact the vital work they do.
“I was also delighted to meet with the Newry Felons Association, who do incredible community work and was honoured to plant a tree at their new memorial community garden in honour of the residents of Barcroft.
“The fact is that Brexit will have implications for every aspect of life in the north but the border region in particular, which has suffered immensely as a result of partition, will be devastated by any hardening of the border. An EU exit will only have a negative impact on the lives of people who live, work and study in the area.
“For our part we are doing everything we can to mitigate the fallout of Brexit. Earlier this month we tabled an amendment to the review of the EU budget up until 2020 calling on the Parliament to continue its support for the peace process through the continued funding of the PEACE programme. The amendment was supported by 541 out of 751 MEPs, although, astonishingly, Diane Dodds and Jim Nicholson of the DUP and UUP opposed it.
"However, the only thing that will really protect people here is if the democratically expressed will of the people of the north is respected. I would urge all interested parties, groups, sectors and individuals to come together to form a broad based movement against this flagrant disregard for the will of the majority.
