Sunak hints Northern Ireland could have expanded military presence
Rishi Sunak has suggested that a surprise Brexit dividend is coming to a part of the UK, leading to speculation that he is planning to open a new naval base.
After his latest EU deal, the PM believes he has sorted out one of the most complicated questions in British politics and now the benefits could include a larger military footprint - which could prove a huge Brexit victory as well as a welcome boost to the British Navy.
The Prime Minister's deal with the EU and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to reopen Stormont has been criticised in many quarters for potentially undermining Brexit, but DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson believes it has secured the province's place in the UK.
At Prime Minister's questions this week he thanked Mr Sunak for his work and reminded him that he had promised to inccrease Northern Ireland's military footprint. This has led to speculation that the naval base in Londonderry could be reopened as part of a bid to strengthen the Union.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
READ MORE: Brexiteer warns Sunak 'played like an Irish fiddle' as PM celebrates EU deal
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson thinks that he can get more military investment in Northern Ireland (Image: Getty)
During exchanges between Sir Jeffrey and Mr Sunak in PMQs, the Prime Minister noted that he had read a Policy Exchange report entitled Closing the Back Door which called for Northern Ireland to be reintegrated into the UK's "national defence system".
It specifically recommended the use of Londonderry as a strategic location for American and British airfields and naval assets during the Second World War.
Military spending in Northern Ireland has been reduced because of the Troubles and deescalation since the Good Friday Agreement.
After PMQs, Donaldson noted: "Whilst average MOD spending per head of the population across the UK is ￡340, in Northern Ireland it is only ￡60.
"There is significant untapped potential in Northern Ireland and the industrial base exists for this to be realised. We already have the companies and the expertise within the workforce.
"Levelling up in this area can deliver a significant economic benefit, but also see a better geographic spread of our defence contracts across the United Kingdom."
Don't miss...
Brexit Britain will be a world-leading science superpower by 2030 [REVEAL]
Rishi Sunak's much needed poll boost after Labour U-turns chaos offers hope [REACT]
I got death threats because Dorries' book called me a plotter, claims Badenoch [INSIGHT]
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
The reopening of Stormont is a major achievement (Image: Getty)
The news comes as Colonel Tim Collins has written a detailed piece for former Northern Ireland First Minister Baroness Arlene Foster's Together UK thinktank arguing that increased spending for the province is essential to keep the Union together.
Collins, who plans to stand for Parliament in Northern Ireland for the Ulster Unionist Party, gave a detailed history of Northern Ireland's vital role in the UK's defence capailities including how the bases at Londonderry were "secretly" agreed by the US administration nine months before they entered the war after the Pearl Harbour bombng.
He said: "At the height of the Battle of the Atlantic 139 naval escorts had their home base either in the city, or at Lisahally, where the Admiralty had built a new jetty. Some of the most famous U-boat hunters of the war were based at Londonderry."
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Brexit Britain 'thriving' as businesses benefit from ￡15bn trading boost
656 Comments
'Look me in the eye': Rishi Sunak confronted by furious Covid vaccine campaginer
81 Comments
'Right-on' Rishi Sunak missed an opportunity on GB News to deal with his biggest critic
4 Comments
Rishi Sunak issues warning over Labour as Brits urged not to fall for Keir Starmer's 'con'
344 Comments
Tories urged to bring Boris Johnson back for 'game-changing' general election campaign
152 Comments
Ursula von der Leyen will be overjoyed as a Hungarian tragedy takes out Brexit allies
203 Comments
Keir Starmer finally cuts ties with Labour by-election candidate after fresh row explodes
508 Comments
Labour under fire as party stands by Rochdale by-election candidate over Israel row
547 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'
38 Comments
Parole Board told 'I'd throw away the key' as monster Colin Pitchfork could be freed
31 Comments
Peers blasted over threats to tear up Rwanda Bill
151 Comments
Labour's ‘hypocrite' Rochdale candidate demanded Tory suspension for anti-Semitic remark
216 Comments
'It's impossible to make mobile calls in our beautiful UK village - we've had enough!'
141 Comments
Full list of Tory MPs who have announced they won't stand as Tracey Crouch becomes latest
48 Comments
Brexiteer warns Rishi Sunak being 'played like an Irish fiddle' as PM celebrates EU deal
546 Comments
Brexit crisis could lead to a major leadership challenge - but not the one you think
149 Comments
Brexit breakthrough in Northern Ireland after new deal with UK breaks two-year deadlock
407 Comments
New Brexit 'surrender deal' for NI leaves DUP split as furious MP blasts 'spineless' plan
459 Comments
Brexit 'in peril' with Rishi Sunak 'squandering opportunities' in new EU deal - warning
279 Comments
Piers Morgan shuts down Alastair Campbell as he exposes double standards over Tony Blair
105 Comments
Brexit Britain 'thriving' as businesses benefit from ￡15bn trading boost
656 Comments
'Look me in the eye': Rishi Sunak confronted by furious Covid vaccine campaginer
81 Comments
'Right-on' Rishi Sunak missed an opportunity on GB News to deal with his biggest critic
4 Comments
Rishi Sunak issues warning over Labour as Brits urged not to fall for Keir Starmer's 'con'
344 Comments
Tories urged to bring Boris Johnson back for 'game-changing' general election campaign
152 Comments
Ursula von der Leyen will be overjoyed as a Hungarian tragedy takes out Brexit allies
203 Comments
Keir Starmer finally cuts ties with Labour by-election candidate after fresh row explodes
508 Comments
Labour under fire as party stands by Rochdale by-election candidate over Israel row
547 Comments
Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'
38 Comments
Parole Board told 'I'd throw away the key' as monster Colin Pitchfork could be freed
31 Comments
Peers blasted over threats to tear up Rwanda Bill
151 Comments
Labour's ‘hypocrite' Rochdale candidate demanded Tory suspension for anti-Semitic remark
216 Comments
'It's impossible to make mobile calls in our beautiful UK village - we've had enough!'
141 Comments
Full list of Tory MPs who have announced they won't stand as Tracey Crouch becomes latest
48 Comments
Brexiteer warns Rishi Sunak being 'played like an Irish fiddle' as PM celebrates EU deal
546 Comments
Brexit crisis could lead to a major leadership challenge - but not the one you think
149 Comments
Brexit breakthrough in Northern Ireland after new deal with UK breaks two-year deadlock
407 Comments
New Brexit 'surrender deal' for NI leaves DUP split as furious MP blasts 'spineless' plan
459 Comments
Brexit 'in peril' with Rishi Sunak 'squandering opportunities' in new EU deal - warning
279 Comments
Piers Morgan shuts down Alastair Campbell as he exposes double standards over Tony Blair
105 Comments
Brexit Britain 'thriving' as businesses benefit from ￡15bn trading boost
656 Comments
'Look me in the eye': Rishi Sunak confronted by furious Covid vaccine campaginer
81 Comments
'Right-on' Rishi Sunak missed an opportunity on GB News to deal with his biggest critic
4 Comments
Rishi Sunak issues warning over Labour as Brits urged not to fall for Keir Starmer's 'con'
344 Comments
Tories urged to bring Boris Johnson back for 'game-changing' general election campaign
152 Comments
Ursula von der Leyen will be overjoyed as a Hungarian tragedy takes out Brexit allies
203 Comments
Keir Starmer finally cuts ties with Labour by-election candidate after fresh row explodes
508 Comments
He noted: "On May 14, 1945, what he later described as his “greatest fear”, one hundred and sixteen of the one hundred and fifty-seven surviving German U boats were gathered at Lisahally in County Londonderry for surrender."
And he added: "Working closely with bases in Scotland, Liverpool and Larne and supported by the RAF, RCAF and USAAF aircraft from bases in Northern Ireland and flying over the ‘Donegal corridor' the spear tip of resistance against the U boat menace was Londonderry."
Collins argued that Northern ireland's contribution to industry and defence "should not be forgotten" and should continue to play a significant role going forward.
Related articles Royal Navy commander admits Red Sea crisis is 'fraught' as new warship arrives Speculation mounts Rishi Sunak favours an October General Election 'Tsunami' of shoplifting offences has rocked public confidence in police, min... Lee Anderson's savage swipe at Labour's Lords U-turn as decision explained Russian spies branded 'almost embarrassing' in fresh humiliation for Vladimir...