A MESSAGE FROM THE Rt Hon JEFFREY DONALDSON MP MLA

August 2007

Dear Constituent

It is over 21 years since I was first elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly and this year marks the 10th Anniversary of my election as the Member of Parliament for Lagan Valley.  During that time I have worked on your behalf to achieve improvements to many aspects of our life in this part of the United Kingdom.  In partnership with groups and individuals throughout the constituency, we have striven to enhance the wellbeing of local communities and to attract significant investment in our public services for the benefit of everyone. 

As a result of our combined efforts it can be said that today Lagan Valley is a better place in which to live and work.  We have the lowest unemployment in Northern Ireland at just 1.4%.  This jobless total has more than halved since I was first elected in 1997.  However, despite this success, I am working closely with local business and government agencies to create even more job opportunities and attract further investment in the local economy.

In education, we have helped secure funding for at least eight new schools and several new nursery units in Lagan Valley in the past ten years, an achievement unparalleled in the history of local education.  I believe that a strong education system is vital to the future of Northern Ireland and I will continue to ensure that our schools receive the support they need from government with the highest standards being maintained throughout the sector.

When I was elected as MP, there was an ongoing campaign to save the Lagan Valley hospital.  Working closely with Down Lisburn Trust, I am helping to attract in excess of £60 Million of capital investment for the hospital which will continue to deliver major improvements to the medical and surgical facilities available to the local community.  This further multi-million pound investment will complete the process of modernisation and crucially help to secure the future of the Lagan Valley as a modern local hospital facility.

As an MP and an MLA I divide my time between my duties in the House of Commons where I spend at least 2 or 3 days per week and Stormont where I have been closely involved in the negotiations that have resulted in a new devolved government being established on 8th May.  In the Assembly, I Chair the Assembly and Executive Review Committee which is tasked with reforming the political institutions and examining the prospects for the future devolution of Policing and Justice powers to Stormont.  I am also a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. At Westminster, I am the DUP spokesman on Defence and the Home Office, including Policing and Prisons. 

In May this year I was appointed by her Majesty the Queen to the Privy Council.  I count this a great honour, not only for myself but for the Lagan Valley constituency.

With the help of an excellent support team in my constituency office and at Westminster, I have endeavoured to provide you with the highest standards of political representation. 

Since my election in 1997, I have spoken regularly in Northern Ireland debates and at Question Time in the House of Commons and have developed one of the highest profiles of any Northern Ireland MP in both the local, national and international media.  I have voted consistently on the issues that are most important to the people I represent as well as serving on a number of important Select Committees in the House of Commons, including Environment, Transport and Northern Ireland Affairs.

If you would like to read some of the speeches I have made in the House of Commons or obtain details of issues I have raised at Question Time why not visit the Parliamentary website which you will find in the 'links' section on my Home Page. Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the people of the Lagan Valley constituency for granting me the privilege of serving them in the mother of Parliaments.  I will continue to do my best for Lagan Valley.