Agriculture and the Rural Economy 

North Down is often thought of as a suburban constituency but this two dimensional view ignores significant rural areas within the constituency. I believe it is important that government seek to assist the farming community, by easing where possible the burdens of red tape, many of which have been imposed by the EU. I believe that government should give support to Northern Ireland farms by giving preference to local sourced foods, and by defending agricultural interests both nationally and internationally. I support the draft PPS 21 on rural development, which strikes a balance between protecting our countryside and defending the rights and interests of the rural community. 

Economy 

The economy has got to be the top priority for the Executive, particularly in the current difficult financial environment. The over dependence on the public sector within the Northern Ireland economy is not as a result of the public sector being too large, but the relative weakness of the private sector. To that end the key focus must be on creating the right economic conditions to enable to private sector to be sustained and grow. I believe that Executive measures such the freezing of the Regional Rate, stopping the increase in rates for the manufacturing sector and helping small businesses are movement in the right direction. In North Down for too long we have been seen in economic terms as a commuter area for Belfast. I believe that we can increase our own employment base, and the key to this is promotion of our advantages of a well trained and highly educated population, with our strong links to the South Eastern Regional College.

Education 

Children should be educated in schools that are best suited to their needs. I am therefore a strong supporter of academic selection and our Grammar school system, which I believe has served Northern Ireland well down the years. To move away from academic selection would only lead to allocation of school places on the basis of ability to pay, in effect a postcode lottery. This would only distract from the need to concentrate help in areas where there is low academic achievement, and lead to an increase in social division. We need to reduce the level of bureaucracy in local education, as our schools in Northern Ireland receive a lower share of the overall education budget than anywhere else in the UK, particularly at primary school level. 

Environment 

I believe in protecting and preserving the beauty of Northern Ireland for future generations. To this end a balanced approach needs to be taken to the Environment to ensure that any development is both appropriate and sustainable. I therefore support PPS 21 as a balanced attempt at protecting the best in our rural environment, while meeting the practical needs of the rural community. I believe that those charged with defending our environment must be democratically accountable for their actions, and consequently I have supported the creation of the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency. 

Health 

I support restructuring of the health care system in Northern Ireland to ensure that more resources are concentrated on frontline delivery. It is telling that in the last ten years while there has been a rapid growth in the amount of money allocated to the Department of Health(now more that half of the discretionary spend in the block grant) there has not been a corresponding level of increase in public satisfaction. While I support efficiency to ensure better health care delivery, this cannot be an excuse for frontline cuts, such as the appalling proposal to close Ravara House in Bangor. I believe that prioritization should be given to issues such as mental health, tackling drug addiction, and combating the threat to society of a culture of binge drinking. I welcome the phasing out of prescription charges. I believe that greater support should be given to our local hospitals such as Bangor Community Hospital, which provides excellent service against a background of tight budgetary restraint. 

Housing 

There is a clear shortage of new social housing in North Down, and this is leading to longer and longer waiting lists. I am not convinced that North Down is getting its fair share of new housing allocation from the Housing Executive centrally. I believe that there needs to be a balanced approach to new developments in North Down so that adequate numbers of residential accommodation is provided to allow young people to remain in North Down, while not leading to overdevelopment. While the downturn in the housing market may provide  some opportunities for first time buyers, I believe it is vital that government helps out with imaginative proposals such as the raising of stamp duty and requirements on major developments to include an element of social or sheltered housing.

Loyal Orders 

As a member of both the Orange Order and the Royal Black Preceptory, I proudly support the traditions and positive influence of the Loyal Orders. I support the right of freedom of assembly and the right to parade. I believe that those opposed to traditional marches are showing cultural and religious intolerance. I believe that the abolition of the Parades Commission would ease community tensions and is long overdue. I welcomed the derating of Orange and other community halls. I chaired the Assembly Committee that looked at Government legislation providing compensation for halls who have suffered criminal damage, and I am pleased that Government agreed with our recommendation to drop the so called sunset clause form the draft legislation. 

Planning 

The lack of strategic direction on development in North Down is a by-product of the lack of local accountability on planning, the absence of an up to date Local Area Plan, and the system whereby each planning application is considered in isolation, rather than viewing it in its wider development context within the area. As a result much planning has been haphazard, with ‘apartmentitis’ breaking out in various parts of the constituency, particularly Ballyholme and Bangor West in recent years. I welcome moves towards a streamlined system of planning which has been brought in from the start of 2009, but the long term solution is the power over local planning passing to elected representatives at local Council level, as proposed by RPA. This can allow planning to be both democratically accountable and responsive to residents needs. I believe in a common sense approach to planning which strikes a balance between  preserving our environment and quality of life, with the real housing needs of residents. 

Policing 

As a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, I am well aware of the hard work and dedication of our Police Service, and will defend them against politically inspired attempts to interfere in their operational independence. To carry out their job effectively, I believe that the police need to be given both the necessary equipment to do their job, hence my support for the deployment of Tasers, and sufficient resources to effectively combat crime. The police also need backed up by a criminal justice system with tougher sanctions against criminals. I believe that tolerance of low level crime degenerates society and leads to growth in more serious offences. That is why I have support the availability of ASBOs and backed the employment of an anti-social behavior officer by North Down Borough Council to work alongside the police. Before any consideration can be given to the devolution of policing and justice, there must be greater resources for Policing and Justice, appropriate structures, and above all community confidence in any devolved structures and arrangements. 

Rates 

As part of a Party that has always believed in low taxation, I support efforts to maintain as low a financial burden on the ratepayers in North Down as is practical. To that end I support the freezing of the Regional Rate and transitional relief for Councils effected by the Rates Cap. While its clear that there are external pressures that are outside the Council’s control, I believe that we have to act prudently in ratepayers interests, and continue to have proper scrutiny and restraint of Council spending.

Reform of Government  

I welcome the Review of Public Administration, with its aim of reducing bureaucracy and providing greater efficiency in services. In particular, I have been involved in the Local Government reform process, and believe that the out workings of this should mean greater powers being exercised at local level, increased local accountability, and efficient and imaginative new ways of providing service delivery to the public. I believe that as a result of the Belfast Agreement there are too many Government departments and MLAs, and believe that these must be reformed over time, together with our system of government.

Road Safety and Transport 

North Down has one of the busiest road networks in Northern Ireland, particularly the A2 Bangor-Belfast road. This should be key consideration in any proposed major developments for North Down. I welcome initiatives such as free public transport for the elderly and investment in rolling stock for our rail system, which will ease the burden on traffic congestion. While our road death figures are the lowest for many years, this is no excuse for complacency, as any family who has suffered the dreadful loss of a loved on the roads can testify. To that end I am in strongly in support of the review of road safety measures and have proposed motions at the Assembly looking at graduate driving schemes, and a reduction in the drink drive limits. 

Traditional Values 

As a Christian, I believe that society is best served by a strong moral bedrock, and I believe that some of the decisions taken by the current Government, have not been beneficial to the social  well being of the country. In particular, I would be opposed to the extension of abortion on demand in Northern Ireland, and I welcome the opposition by Party colleagues at Westminster to attempts to extend the 1967 Act. I support freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, and oppose religious persecution in any part of the world. 

Victims

For too long innocent victims of the Troubles have been ignored by our society. While there are complex needs of this diverse group, which go well beyond the financial or the practical, I nevertheless welcome the commitments and efforts made by both the previous and current First Ministers, Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson, to give support to innocent victims. This has resulted in the increased funding to the sector and the appointment of the Victims Commission. I believe that there should be a clear distinction between innocent victims of terrorism, and the perpetrators of these crimes, and oppose the current definition of a victim as contained in Westminster legislation. I believe that everyone should be equal before the law and consequently I would oppose any suggestion of an amnesty for terrorist crimes.