THE Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) has launched its election campaign by promising "effective leadership". The party claims voters have been denied this by the main unionist parties.
Under the slogan "Look to the Future", the political wing of the UDA is fielding 44 candidates in all 18 constituencies, some of whom are former prisoners.
Mr Gary McMichael, the party leader, said yesterday the election was the most important in the history of Northern Ireland, as it was designed to lead to meaningful negotiations.
"Since the loyalist ceasefire the UDP has given the loyalist community real leadership in this peace process, the kind of leadership they were denied by others," he added.
"We will give a voice to those who have been without a voice for the past 25 years. For too long our people have suffered ineffective leadership. Our community has been plagued with political leaders who refuse to lead.
"We will argue a political settlement which puts the people back into the driving seat. We will pursue an accountable democratic framework of government for Northern Ireland, a settlement in which the rights of the people are enshrined in their own constitution," he added.
He restated that Sinn Fein could not participate in talks until the IRA restored its ceasefire. He further complained that the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, was demanding a promise of constitutional and political change and an end to the unionist agenda before the IRA would declare a new cessation.
"Sinn Fein say that no outcome should be predetermined or precluded, yet they want the talks to be loaded in their favour. They want the will of the people to be overturned, that a republican agenda be set. Republicans must not be allowed to subvert this peace process.
"Over the past 25 years loyalists have resisted all attempts by those who sought to force political change against the will of the people. We will not now allow them to do so by political coercion. The only agenda these negotiations will follow is that of the people. That is what republicans and the Irish government must come to terms with. This process belongs to the people of Northern Ireland.
"Loyalists will not tolerate attempts to overturn the right of the people to determine their future freely. Change will only be achieved with their consent.
"The IRA must call a ceasefire now. That is the only route into these negotiations. They can only enter talks on the same basis as everyone else, and they must commit themselves to pursue a settlement by democratic means alone. That is the only way forward," said Mr McMichael.
