DUP manifesto

36 Pages·2005·2.8 MB·English

DUP DELIVERING FOR UNIONISTSKEEPING UNIONISM NUMBER 1
KEEPING OUR PROMISES A RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT
NO TURNING BACK STRENGTH IN NEGOTIATIONS UNRIVALLED
CONSTITUENCY REPRESENTATION TIME TO MOVE ON SEND A
MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT RESPECTING SENIOR CITIZENS SAFE
FROM CRIME OPPOSING WATER CHARGES TACKLING RACISM
GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT ROAD SAFETY SAVING GRAMMAR
SCHOOLS REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OUR ROLE
AT WESTMINSTER A ROLE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE NATION
PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Manifesto2005
DUP :DELIVERING FOR UNIONISTS
“ Sinn Fein is in the doghouse.
The pan-nationalist front has
been consigned to the political
dustbin.The political process
is at a standstill and the DUP
has the whip hand.”
Paul Colgan
Irish Echo, 16th February 2005
Even our opponents bear witness that after years in decline,unionism is finally on top.
Don’t let Trimble wreck it.
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PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONSManifesto2005
Vote DUP : Everywhere!
Paisley
Simpson
Foster Wilson
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Manifesto2005 PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
INTRODUCTION:
For the first time in a generation
unionism has leadership that’s working.
Just remember what it was like only eighteen months ago when the Ulster Unionist Party was in charge.
Republicans won concession after concession while unionism was in retreat. In every negotiation republicans
exploited the weakness of the UUP and were allowed to dictate their own terms.
Now,all that has changed.Today it is the DUP’s agenda that dominates the political process with London,
Dublin and Washington accepting our demands as fundamental prerequisites.The pan-nationalist front has
been fractured and Sinn Fein is more isolated than ever before.
These elections give people in Northern Ireland the chance to speak clearly and with one voice in rejecting
terrorism.This election comes at a defining moment in the political process.There is a growing confidence
within unionism. In the talks we have held the line and negotiated significant advances for the unionist
community.We have achieved what many people said was impossible,but there is still work to be done.
Northern Ireland cannot afford for Sinn Fein to be the largest party and only the DUP can stop this.Just
imagine the scenario if a political party inextricably linked with terrorism and criminality became the largest
party in Northern Ireland.It would do untold damage to the Province’s reputation if it appeared that Sinn
Fein’s involvement in illegality was being tolerated. Moreover,Sinn Fein would travel the world claiming to
speak for Northern Ireland.
A strong vote for the DUP will send out a clear signal to the Government that unionists will not back down
from the requirement that there can be no compromise with terror. Don’t allow the Government the chance
to go back to dealing with the pliable UUP thus delivering more concessions to the IRA.
This election must ensure democracy is not held captive by terrorists and criminals.We believe it is time to
move on only with those parties demonstrably committed to peace and democracy.
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PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONSManifesto2005
On the 5th May in the Westminster and Council elections let us
continue the unionist revival.Make sure you go out and vote DUP.
The future of the Province depends upon it.
This election will not just determine the direction of the political process but will set the direction for the
Northern Ireland of the future.When considering how to vote ask yourself the following questions:
Do you want Sinn Fein/IRA or the DUP as Northern Ireland’s largest political party?
Do you want to keep the pressure on the IRA by voting DUP,or go back to the failed strategy of the UUP?
This manifesto sets out the choice for unionists.Our 2003 Assembly manifesto laid out our programme for
the return to devolved Government.This combined manifesto sets out
- our position on Local Government issues
- our priorities for Westminster
- our position on the political process
With the republican movement under pressure like never before and three Governments backing
our position,who would ever want to go back to where we were just 18 months ago?
Unionism is strong again.Keep the pressure on
republicans.Don’t let David Trimble do to
unionism in 2005 what he did up until 2003.
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Manifesto2005 PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
KEEPING UNIONISM NUMBER 1
This election is not a battle between the DUP and the
Ulster Unionist Party,nor even between the feuding factions
of the UUP,but rather between the DUP and Sinn Fein.
Previous election results demonstrate that only the DUP
can prevent Sinn Fein becoming the largest party in Northern
Ireland.It is vital for unionism and democracy that those
who refuse to give up paramilitarism and criminality do not
become Northern Ireland’s leading political party.
It is essential that unionism remains at the forefront in representing Northern Ireland.If Sinn Fein/IRA were to emerge
as the largest party from a General Election,it would be a huge blow to the Union.
In 2001 at the Westminster election the Democratic Unionist Party won more votes than the UUP in the constituencies
both parties contested.In 2003,the DUP was returned as the largest political party in Northern Ireland in terms of seats
and votes and in 2004,the DUP again topped the poll in the European Election with the party’s largest ever share of the
unionist vote gaining almost twice as many votes as the UUP and beating them in every constituency.
With SDLP support crumbling to only 78,000 votes at the European election last year,Sinn Fein continues in its quest to
be the largest party in Northern Ireland.Only strong support for the DUP across every constituency in Northern Ireland
can ensure that does not happen.
In both the Assembly election and the European Election the Ulster Unionist Party finished behind Sinn Fein.The DUP is
the only party which can keep unionism number one at Westminster and it is the only party which can finish ahead of
Sinn Fein/IRA both in terms of seats won and the number of votes cast across the Province.
A vote for other unionist parties risks allowing Sinn Fein to top the poll.The DUP has already proven it can hold off the
electoral rise of republicans.The strong DUP performance at the European Election showed that not only can unionism
finish ahead,but that the DUP is the only Party which can take on Sinn Fein and defeat them.
It is vital that all unionists turn out to cast their votes. Only one Party can beat
Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland
These votes can ensure that unionism remains ahead. 2004 European Election Results
32%
No matter what area they may come from,votes can never
26%
be wasted if they manage to keep unionism number 1.
17% 16%
EVERY VOTE IN EVERY CONSTITUENCY WILL COUNT.
DUP SF UUP SDLP
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MOVING ON
UNLIKE EVERY PREVIOUS NEGOTIATION PROCESS UNIONISM EMERGED STRONGER
FROM LAST AUTUMN’S TALKS THAN IT ENTERED THEM.
In the past Ulster Unionists It is vital that in these elections the DUP achieves a mandate which ensures there is no
talked tough before weakening of the unionist position.You can be sure that in these elections Sinn Fein will
negotiations but collapsed continue to eclipse the SDLP,so it is vital that unionism has strong negotiators acting on its
behalf.Unionism cannot afford to go back to the bad old days when it was represented by weak
when under pressure.
UUP negotiators whose vulnerability was exploited by republicans.
The DUP not only made At a time when so much pressure is on republicans,it is essential that unionists do not go back
gains for unionism,but to the days when gestures and ambiguity were accepted.Only the DUP can be trusted to hold
the line in negotiations.
withstood pressure and
succeeded in persuading Remember even after Florida,Stormontgate,Castlereagh,and Colombia the UUP was willing to
allow IRA/Sinn Fein back into Government without complete decommissioning.As David Trimble
the Government to back our
admitted as late as October 2003:
position.When was the last
“But we did not,as some suggest,say that every jot and tittle must be complete before we would
time that unionism was in
proceed.Neither the Government’s formula nor ours say that everything must be done first.”
such a strong position?
By contrast the DUP insisted that no-one who is associated with paramilitarism or criminality
Our strength in negotiations will be in any Executive in Northern Ireland.
depends on the ability of the Sinn Fein could then only be considered for entry to an Executive after
party to continue securing - Complete visible,verifiable decommissioning.
- A total end to all paramilitary and criminal activity.
support at election time.
- The community is convinced the IRA has been stood down.
Inclusive,mandatory coalition government which includes Sinn Fein under d’Hondt or any other
system is out of the question.
If executive devolution cannot be set up on a satisfactory democratic basis,then the only option
is to make Direct Rule more accountable and acceptable.We will work with the Government to
provide the maximum accountability in these circumstances and attempt to integrate Northern
Ireland more firmly within the United Kingdom.
Give us the mandate to ensure that unionists will continue to keep the pressure on republicans
and ensure we do not return to the days of failure under the UUP.
It is clear from recent events that republicans have proven themselves to be incapable of making
the move to exclusively democratic means.It is time to move on.Send a clear message to the
Government that it must proceed without Sinn Fein.
We believe a voluntary coalition supported by democratic parties across the community offers
the best way forward.Democratic parties must not be held back because of the continuing
criminal and terrorist activies of those associated with terrorism.
UNLIKE THE UUP,WHEN WE SET DEMANDS,
WE MEAN THEM AND ADHERE TO THEM.
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Manifesto2005 PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
KEEPING OUR PROMISES -
A RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT
Unionists had become In the talks process the DUP negotiated Government support for:
accustomed to the UUP
- No terrorists in Government
saying one thing before - Accountability for Ministerial decisions
an election but doing - A referral role for the Assembly to the Executive
- Primacy for Assembly / Executive over individual Ministers
another afterwards.
- A Review Panel to assess the efficiency of the devolved institutions
The DUP has kept its word
- An Institutional Review Committee to agree further changes to structures
to the electorate. - An entrenching of community designations
- Accountability for all North-South matters to people in Northern Ireland
We promised we would
- Review of existing North-South implementation bodies
deliver on our manifesto - Assembly scrutiny of implementation bodies
commitments and have - Greater emphasis on the East-West dimension
done so.Our record in The agreed changes will require primary legislation at Westminster representing
negotiations can be tested the delivery of our promise of change,in the event of the return of devolution.
We believe these proposals would have allowed the return of a form of devolution
against the proposals we
which would have provided a fair deal for all the people of Northern Ireland.
have set out over the last
few years in various policy Over the past few years,the DUP has sought a mandate from the people of
Northern Ireland to deliver a democratic,fair and accountable form of devolution
documents and manifestoes.
for the Province.We believe that,if faithfully implemented,these proposals would
have advanced such an outcome.
“ The Irish people may feel a sense of affront,
and dare I say, humiliation that the agreement they
approved has been renegotiated behind closed doors.”
Mark Durkan, Irish Times 14th December 2004
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On policing,the DUP clawed back concessions the UUP In relation to IRA paramilitary activity
made in October 2003 and ensured that we had a veto we succeeded in negotiating:
over when the devolution of policing would take place.
- A requirement to complete decommissioning
Under our deal it would not have happened without the within weeks
necessary support within the unionist community. - No Executive before decommissioning completed
- Agreement on the principle of independent witnesses
We won you a veto on this critical matter. to be present at decommissioning events
- Government support for photographs of
decommissioning
- A total end to all terrorist and criminal activity
and a testing period to assess its quality
It is republicans and not unionists who rightly have
been blamed for the breakdown in finalising the
negotiations.
Where Trimble failed,we won the argument,
gaining the support of Dublin,London and Washington,
that there could be no future inclusive Government
in Northern Ireland,without Sinn Fein
demonstrably and irreversibly ending
its terrorist and criminal activity.
Whereas the UUP took the IRA on trust,accepted its word,
welcomed its representatives into Government without one
gun or bullet being handed over and all the while they
continued with their terrorism and crime,the DUP required
the IRA to jump first and end all illegal activity.
“ But since that deal collapsed, republicans have been
denigrated and pilloried the length and breadth of Ireland
while the DUP have been on the crest of a wave.”
February 21 2005, Daily Ireland
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Manifesto2005 PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
NO TURNING BACK
After a generation of
retreat and reversal,unionism
is moving forward again.
The last eighteen months
have seen the unionist Unionists will remember the days when before every set of negotiations
Ulster Unionists talked tough but then collapsed when put under pressure.
position immeasurably
As a result,republicans were able to extract concessions while giving little or
strengthened,with
nothing in return.This pattern was repeated time and again with unionism
republicans today finishing weaker on every occasion.
isolated and in disarray.
Whenever difficult times came,the Governments always saw the UUP as the
weakest link and so the pressure was exerted in their direction.The last
What a change this
eighteen months has changed all that.Under the pressure cooker environment
represents from the days
of Leeds Castle,the DUP demonstrated it would hold the line despite massive
of Trimble-led unionism. pressure to concede its position.
DEVOLUTION OF UUP: DUP:
POLICING AND JUSTICE By September 2005 Not until there is sufficient confidence in the
unionist community
SINN FEIN POLICING UUP: DUP:
AND JUSTICE MINISTER “It has to happen”- David McNarry, No terrorists in government
UUP MLA,18th September 2004
ENTRY CONDITIONS UUP: DUP:
FOR GOVERNMENT 1999 - none Timetabled,verifiable,transparent and
2000 - none complete decommissioning,photographed
2001 - worthless stunt of decommissioning and witnessed
Total end to paramilitary and criminal activity
2003 - worthless stunt of decommissioning
with a period of testing prior to entry
with no transparency
NORTH/SOUTH UUP: DUP:
CO-OPERATION Created unaccountable All-Ireland bodies DUP veto on North/South activity
with Executive powers
DUBLIN’S ROLE UUP: DUP:
IN POLICING AND 2003 - conceded to Dublin the first step Only co-operation to mutual advantage
JUSTICE in all-Ireland policing and justice No all-Ireland role acceptable
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