Sammy Wilson

7 hours ago

Earlier this month, Sammy Wilson, DUP MP for East Antrim attended an eye catching exhibition in Westminster, hosted by Josh Newbury MP and organised Compassion in World Farming. The display, which ran during the week of 22 June, exposed the urgent need to End the Cage Age for egg laying hens in the UK.

75% of the British public think cages for egg laying hens are cruel, yet they are still legal in the UK. Approximately 6 million laying hens endure most of their lives in so-called 'enriched' cages. Confined, they can't adequately forage, dustbathe, see the light of day, or even fully stretch their wings.

All the UK’s major supermarkets have already stopped selling shell eggs from caged hens, or pledged to do so. Yet, without a legal phase-out of these systems, the welfare of millions of hens will continue to be compromised.

Throughout the week a replica red phone box demonstrated the unacceptably small amount of space caged laying hens are confined in; the equivalent to four adults squeezed inside a public phone box. MPs could pick up the phone inside and listen to heartfelt messages from the public, all calling on the Government to End the Cage Age for laying hens in the UK.

Members of the public also submitted over 10,000 written messages, all backing a ban on cages. These messages were compiled in a large ‘Compassion Phone Book’ for MPs to read through in order that they could see how important it is to their constituents that cruel hen cages are consigned to the history books.

On Tuesday 23 June, an opening ceremony was held, attended by MPs from across the political spectrum, who gathered to hear why Government must take action to End the Cage Age. … See MoreSee Less

Sammy Wilson is in Kells, County Antrim.

18 hours ago

Today I attended the memorial service at the beautiful St Saviour’s Church, Kells, to remember the members of the UDR from County Antrim who served with courage and those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the IRA’s terrorist campaign.

Between 1970 and 2000, 192 UDR soldiers were murdered, along with 62 former members who had already left the regiment. Their only “crime” was serving their community and standing against terrorism.

It is vital that the passing of time does not erase the memory of these brave men and women. Night after night they left their homes, knowing they and their families were prime targets for ruthless IRA terrorists, both on and off duty.

Their courage and sacrifice helped defeat terrorism and secure the relative peace that so many enjoy today. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid, but we can ensure they are never forgotten.

As today’s service reminded us, the words of the UDR Epilogue sum up their sacrifice so well:

As poppy petals gently fall
Remember us who gave our all
Not in the mud of foreign lands
Nor buried ’neath the desert sands

In Ulster field, and farm and town
Fermanagh’s lakes, and drumlin’ed Down
We died that violent death should cease,
And Ulstermen might live in peace.

We did not serve because we hate
Nor bitterness our hearts dictate
But we were those who must aspire
To quench the flames of terror’s fire.

As bugles sound and pipers play
The proud battalions march away.
Now may the weary violence cease
And let our country live in peace.

We will remember them.

#UDR #LestWeForget #NeverForgotten #CountyAntrim #ServiceAndSacrifice #NorthernIreland … See MoreSee Less

Sammy Wilson

1 day ago

At Knockagh this morning, remembering the thousands of men from Northern Ireland who made the ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of the Somme.

It is especially poignant that this memorial, overlooking my East Antrim constituency above Carrickfergus, stands as a lasting tribute to their courage, sacrifice and service. We will remember them. … See MoreSee Less