DUP offers 'unionism grounded in certainty'

The DUP launched its election manifesto yesterday, insisting that any lasting political settlement in Northern Ireland must include a renegotiation of the Belfast Agreement.

Speaking at the publication of its manifesto, the DUP's deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, set out seven tests which would have to met if a new agreement was to be supported by the party.

These include requirements that all parties turn their backs on violence for good, insisting any relationship with the Republic be accountable to the Assembly, and ensuring the eventual outcome to a political settlement be within the UK.

The manifesto also includes a number of policy pledges across a range of issues, including the extension of free travel to the over-60s, free nursing home care for older people, pension increases, relaxation of planning laws in rural areas and increasing investment in the health service.

Mr Robinson said the DUP was a "party of ideas" campaigning on a track record of delivery in government.

While he said unionism had been in the "cold house" for too long, the DUP was ready to negotiate a new agreement on behalf of the unionist community.

"We offer a new unionism, a unionism grounded in certainty, hope and confidence," he said.

"Certain of the strength and rightness of our cause, providing hope that the no-win unionist era can be reversed, instilling confidence within the unionist community, emboldening and revitalising unionism, refusing to be extras like the UUP acting out their role with the republican agenda."

The manifesto condemned the British and Irish governments' Joint Declaration as a "threat to Ulster", which offered a "raft of concessions" to republicans.

It also portrayed a "nightmare" vision of what Northern Ireland would be like in the next four years if the Ulster Unionists remained the largest voice in unionism.

It claimed Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams would become deputy first minister, while Sinn Féin representative Mr Gerry Kelly would become the policing and justice minister.

The party said that unless there were major changes to the agreement, there would be more cross-Border rule between Dublin and Belfast and a permanent place for republicans in government.

"Is the Union stronger today as a result of the Belfast Agreement?" the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, asked.

"No, it is not. As a result of the policy and actions of the Official Unionists, we are closer to a united Ireland than we have ever been. Only a vote for the DUP can stop the nightmare of David Trimble partnering Gerry Adams in the running of our province," he said.

On policy issues, the party said it had proved it could deliver on its pledges, by securing free travel for the over-65s while in government, and would continue to deliver further pledges.

These include publishing performance tables for schools, reducing hospital waiting lists, appointing more staff to the health sector, stopping increases in local authority rates and cutting the cost of central government.