Why Stormont/ Devolution needs scrapped and a proper discussion had on alternatives.

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1. It hasnt delivered any material +ve outcomes in 22yrs. Socio economically nothibg has improved. We still educate kids separately, have more oeace walls than 98, & still have active paramilitaries. In fact, Govt cant even tackle paramilitary flags. Health remains unreformed,

2 waiting lists are longer than ever & some of the worst in Europe. Suicide levels are the highest in the UK. Economically we are one of the least productive regions, we cost £9bn more than we raise in taxes (no it doesnt have to be that way).

3 We have massive underinvestment in essential infrastructure in water, schools, roads etc to the tune of ~£10bn+ (just to get back to “par”). And this is despite being the highest subsidised region of the UK.

4 In 22yrs, devolution has been suspended 8 of those years, 1/3 of its existence (with MLAs & Ministers continuing to be paid).

5 While delivering nothing +ve in 22yrs we have seen scandal after scandal, mainly linked to politicians & their pals profiteering from the taxpayer & division eg RHI, Redsky, Nama, flagrant expenses abuse (by most parties).

6 Expenses abuse was so flagrant that control over expenses had to be passed to an independent body in 2016...until this week when MLAs across all the main parties voted to regain control over their expenses, in the middle of a pandemic, while people lose their jobs.

7 Despite the corruption of democracy by Spads during RHI, we still have unelected Spads paid between £50-70k with no interview or quals necessary, no accountability for output or conduct. The purported reason is to “help” Ministers (paid £83k). The average salary in NI is ~£25k.

8 Ask yourself these questions, whatever your constitutional political persuasion: what has Stormont actually delivered in 22yrs? Im not talking populist giveaways; Im talking +ve changes in social or economic outcomes? Do you feel better off? Do you think you are well served?

9 Has Stormont *delivered* on what *you* consider important? Given the evidence of the past 22yrs, do you feel the political class here has *your* best interest at heart or theirs? Given the evidence, do you believe Stormont can deliver +ve change?

10 In closing, its time we talk about Stormont/ devolution. It isnt working. If it hasnt worked in 22yrs Id suggest it isnt going to. Unionist, nationalist or neither, we are being played by the political class. All of them. Are you prepared to continue to be taken for a mug?