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In a wide ranging address to those gathered Donaldson touched upon issues connected with; Party structures and management, succession planning, youth development and recruitment. Donaldson also gave his understanding and interpretation of recent political developments including; David Ervine’s joining of the Ulster Unionist Assembly Grouping. Extracts of Kenny’s speech:

“You are aware as well as I that our Party could very well be facing Assembly and local Government elections within the next two years. Present indications are that our Party will require approximately 60 new Council candidates and I would suspect that we will require 10-12 new/additional Assembly candidates also. Where will these candidates come from?

“It remains unclear the precise content and powers Super Councils will have. However, it is certain that the new Councillor posts will demand full-time commitment. Presently it is being muted that salary will be in the region of £15,000 plus expenses per annum. How confident are you that we can attract the necessary number of candidates at the calibre required to fill the void which will be left from our more experienced Councillors who feel it is time (for whatever reason) to leave the stage.

“On this critical issue I have requested that a piece of work be done as a matter of urgency. I have asked that all sitting Councillors are asked of their intentions as to whether or not they intend to stand for election to the new ‘Super Councils.’ I feel this is essential so that we have factual evidence of the pool of sitting Councillors which will be available to us.

“Having spoken of the difficulty which we face in attracting candidates, I have given detailed thought as to how we might go about addressing the issue. I am firmly of the view that there are potential candidates out there who if approached in the correct manner could be brought under our banner.

“The sector where I believe; skills and experience exist most suited to the role of a Councillor, is the community and voluntary sector. As European funding dwindles many community development workers face redundancy or substantial reductions in their hours of employment. They will require another form of income.

“Community workers are often the first point of contact communities have, they operate on the coal-face. On a daily basis community workers interact with the statutory agencies in attempting to deliver positive change on the ground.

“Community workers have a wide array of experience in issues such as; community planning, community safety, peace building and reconciliatory work. The community and voluntary sector prides itself upon being; the ‘champion of the masses,’ or the ‘grass roots representatives.’ Isn’t that where we need to be as a Party?

“Let’s be clear; community workers can hold immense sway with people and are often the determining factor in how an area/community develops. Sinn Fein is notoriously well versed in recruiting and selecting candidates who come from community activist backgrounds. I believe we should be investing time in learning the lessons of the Republican Movement’s electoral rise.

“I have recently requested that a piece of work be commissioned to identify on a Northern Ireland-wide basis all those employed within the community and voluntary sector as front-line community workers, I have then asked that time is given to identify the political allegiances of these individuals. When in possession of this information I believe approaches should be made by our Party in attempting to recruit suitable individuals.

“It is my view that this piece of work will be of critical importance in loyalist working class areas. If we are to be successful in our quest of transforming these communities, we must pin-point people within these areas who hold key positions of responsibility and who have the confidence and trust of local residents. In my view, no-one can deliver the change necessary within these communities except those who already hold a stake.”

Kenny added: “This leads me onto recent developments; namely the decision by the UUP to accept David Ervine as a member of the Ulster Unionist Assembly grouping. This issue has caused many within and outside our Party discomfort but I say to you tonight; now is not a time for tucking tail and running, now is a time for strength and courage.

“We must be strong and resolute in our convictions. We have nothing to be defensive or fearful about. We have strengthened Unionism’s hand in any future devolved Assembly and Executive by denying Sinn Fein of a Ministerial post and ensuring a Unionist veto on the Executive. We have also sent a clear message that, just as we said we would, we are intent on bringing those involved or linked with Loyalist paramilitaries in the from the cold, while repeatedly stating our outright opposition to their activity.

“I believe that this issue has caused so much controversy in recent times because it is a wake-up, this issue and its’ associated outworking has pricked the conscience of many within mainstream unionism who have lived in denial as to their responsibility for the conditions which led to the conflict, which fuelled its’ continuance and which continue to be its’ legacy. Mainstream unionism used and abused loyalists throughout history and yes there is substance to the argument that the DUP were and are the worst offenders. However it’s not good enough for us simply to pass responsibility for the wrongs of the past onto others. We too need to look at ourselves squarely in the mirror and set about building a more peaceful and stable future. We must remove the shackles of the past which continue to haunt us to this very day.”

Kenny continued: “Let’s be open and honest, many young protestant men and women joined paramilitary organisations because they followed an ideology which allowed for an armed element. Many of these young men and women rotted in jail for the younger years of their lives, they were ostracised and used as scapegoats by ourselves and others.

“It is my view that many of these men and women can contribute to impacting positive change within the community. We have a moral and political obligation duty to democratise “loyalist problem” communities, we must not stand idly by again in allowing more young men and women’s lives to be destroyed. Many of these areas have become mafia-gang zones and are being ruled by criminal gang lords who are sucking the lifeblood from our young people.