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UUP Candidate for Upper Bann, Alderman Arnold Hatch has claimed Northern Ireland people have been “let down and short-changed” by the NIO Direct Rulers plan to introduce Water Charges in the Province.

In a statement, Alderman Hatch said: “Northern Ireland consumers have been badly let-down by the ill-thought out policies of Peter Hain and the NIO. These water charge proposals - put forward by unaccountable Direct Rule ministers - unfairly penalise hard-working homeowners.

“Direct Rulers have shamefully underfunded Northern Ireland’s infrastructure for decades. Now instead of rectifying these mistakes, they seem determined to place the financial burden on the shoulders of ordinary hard-working people here. Hard-working families are the economic backbone of this province, and it is completely unfair to add to their financial burden.

“Only a devolved Stormont government of our own can halt these punitive water charges. A UUP-led Executive will put a firm stop to the government’s water charge plan.

“On March 7th people across Northern Ireland must stand up and deliver a loud ‘No’ to the government’s water charge proposals. By voting Ulster Unionist, voters can ensure that their message gets across loud and clear - we have had enough of being let down and short-changed by unaccountable Direct Rulers.

“It is time for the people of Northern Ireland to stand up to Peter Hain and his Ministers and elect a UUP-led Government of our own which will truly stand up for the needs of hard-working families.”

UUP Assembly candidate for North Down, Cllr Marion Smith, has made an impassioned plea for people to turn out on polling day on Wednesday 7th March.

Only by doing so, and voting for those candidates who are willing to make every effort to get the local political process up and running, can real practical progress be made on the range of issues affecting the Province, she said.

Ms Smith said that there had been a definite appetite for progress during her door-to-door canvassing.

“I am getting the clear impression that many people are increasingly frustrated that for so long we have had what they see as a completely non-functional Assembly. People in North Down want to see local politicians doing their real job of sorting out the range of problems which we face in Northern Ireland,” she said.

“Some are also confused by the ambiguity about the future emerging from some quarters. They do not see how we can make progress if the new Assembly is dominated by the DUP and Sinn Fein.

“I personally see little point in having a new Assembly if it is not prepared to take real responsibility for areas such as education, health, business promotion, the economy, the environment, planning and local rates.

“There will doubtless be difficult decisions to take but we really do need to start taking responsibility for our own affairs. People who want to see progress must get out and vote on the day.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly candidates for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Kenny Donaldson and Tom Elliott have criticised the decision by Q Park to scrap the free parking of 10 minutes and motorists will be forced to pay a fee of £1.00 for 30 minutes.

In a joint statement: Kenny and Tom said: “We find this latest announcement by Q Park as totally unacceptable and follows on from increases by this company in October 2006 and then massive increases announced in January 2007. From what was heralded as a new era of cheap parking is now becoming much too expensive and takes no account of the views of the travelling public.

It is scandalous that for 30 minutes, motorists are forced to pay £1.00 and for 1 hour £3.00. What should have been considered was that the travelling public should have offered was a free parking for the first 30 minutes and then a standard charge of £1.50 for 1 hour, to encourage the travelling public to use the recognised car parks rather than park on hard shoulders and await calls from passengers when they are out of the terminal building.

These current car parking charges do not represent good value for money and the public will continue to park some distances from the airport, causing traffic congestion near to the airport and could also pose serious road safety risks. It is now possible to get cheap flights to many destinations cheaper than pay 3 days tariffs for parking. The new rates come into effect on 1 March 2007 and are the third increase imposed by Q Park in less than 1 year and will probably mean the public will continue to avoid using these car parks. Q Park has missed an opportunity to encourage more motorists to use their car parks, if they had offered free parking for the first 30 minutes. This will continue to discourage motorists from entering the terminal building.”

North Antrim Ulster Unionist Assembly candidates Rev Robert Coulter and Robin Swann have “fully supported” the call from the Orange Order encouraging the Unionist community to turn out in strength on polling day, 7th March.

In a joint statement, the two candidates, who are both members of the Loyal Orders, said they “wholeheartedly welcomed” the Grand Lodge’s call for the Unionist community to maximise its vote and keep republicans out of Assembly seats.

Dr Coulter is a Past Assistant Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution and Mr Swann is a Past Master of the Orange and Black institutions.

The two UUP candidates said: “The entire pro-Union electorate has the moral imperative to turn out and vote on 7th March to maximise the Unionist mandate and give Sinn Fein a real lesson in democracy.

“Since the IRA ceasefires in the 1990s, the Unionist family has listened to the endless propaganda about the Sinn Fein mandate.

“On 7th March, Unionism has the power to show to the world the power of the Unionist mandate. This will require a supreme effort by every pro-Union voter in Northern Ireland. Every one of us has his or her duty to perform in protecting the Union with Great Britain by coming out to vote and delivering an unmistakable message to Sinn Fein.

“A former Prime Minister once talked about Northern Ireland being at a crossroads in a past election. A generation later, Unionism once more finds itself at an historic crossroads electorally. Unionists must come out to vote in numbers, and demonstrate the firm desire of the greater number of people in Northern Ireland to remain a proud part of this United Kingdom.”

Billy Armstrong, Ulster Unionist Candidate in the forthcoming NI Assembly Election and Mid-Ulster’s MLA for almost nine years has assured the people of Mid-Ulster that the Ulster Unionist Party values their priorities.

“The Ulster Unionist Party values the needs of the people of Mid-Ulster. We have strong roots in Mid-Ulster and across the whole of the west of Northern Ireland and realise that, in the past, the West has been poorly served in terms of infrastructure, transport links, and economic opportunity.

“Continued direct rule would hurt the economic and social future of the west of Northern Ireland.

“Sir Reg Empey visited Mid-Ulster yesterday in support of the Ulster Unionist campaign in Mid-Ulster and met with a number of local business people, members of community groups as well as local members and supporters of the Ulster Unionist Party. Numerous issues were raised that directly affect the people of Mid-Ulster and they were assured that the Ulster Unionist Party would continue to represent their concerns.

“Furthermore, in an effort to assure members, supporters and all communities West of the Bann that the Ulster Unionist Party is committed to their needs and are listening to their views we published (last Friday) a Manifesto for the West.

To promote quality public services, economic opportunity, and strong and fair communities in the West I, and the Ulster Unionist Party are committed to:

· Recognising the educational and social benefits of small schools and opposes any hasty implementation of the Bain Report

· Securing accessible health care and advice for families throughout the West of the province – extending NHS Direct to Northern Ireland, and rolling out midwife-led maternity units

· A balanced rural planning policy – protecting the countryside from random development while allowing for sustainable development of rural communities.

· Supporting the Rural Transport Fund and ensuring that the west is fully integrated into Northern Ireland’s public transport network

· Realising the potential of the tourism potential in this constituency marketing the Sperrins as a premier tourist location.

· Supporting the Everybody Online initiative to increase internet usage and access in the West – overcoming the digital divide for the benefit of communities and businesses.

· Encouraging local government, communities and businesses to prepare to work in partnership with the Executive to strategically invest an economic package, improving the infrastructure and competitiveness of Northern Ireland plc

· A NI Renewable Energy Plan – stimulating environmental businesses and providing new economic opportunity for rural enterprises.

· A Sustainable Rural Communities White Paper – developing an agenda for the Executive to support the rural way of life.

· Implementation of the Report of the Interim Victim’s Commissioner – ensuring that the needs of victims are met and their voices heard.

“The Review of Public Administration proposal of 7 council areas would isolate the West from the rest of Northern Ireland, and remove local government from our local communities

“The Ulster Unionist Party has voiced their confidence in the location of the new Police College at Desertcreat noting the huge boost it will bring to the area. The people of Cookstown are anxious to see the cutting of the first sod on site without further delay. It is felt that this new police academy will bring additional investment to the area and promote development in the neighbouring towns and villages.

“The people of Mid-Ulster deserve to have their views represented and the Ulster Unionist Party is clear in its commitment to achieving a fully devolved democratic government at Stormont for the people of Northern Ireland. The Ulster Unionist Party clearly has the best interests of the Union at heart and therefore the best interests of all f the people in Northern Ireland at heart.

“I believe that the people of Mid Ulster are ready and willing to take control of their own affairs and make normal politics work. I have worked tirelessly for the past 9 years to represent the best interests of all in Mid-Ulster. I ask the people of Mid-Ulster to give me Billy Armstrong your First Preference vote on Wednesday, 7 March 2007 and I will with your help will continue to strive to Unite all the Unionist people in Northern Ireland.”

“Remember to Vote for All of Us in the different Unionist parties, a united voice of Unionist people making Northern Irelands politics work for the first time in 35 years.

Addressing a meeting in Bangor last night (26th Feb), Alan McFarland, Ulster Unionist Chief Negotiator and North Down UUP candidate, said:

“The Democratic Unionist Party is trying to paper over the massive cracks in their Party. They are pretending that there is more negotiating to be done, so that the leadership don’t have to openly admit that Ian Paisley hopes to join Martin McGuinness as First and Deputy First Minister.

Senior, life-long DUP members have left the Party and many of their candidates do not wish to share power with Sinn Fein. All DUP candidates have had to signed resignation letters. These letters are in Dr Paisley’s back pocket and, if any of his MLAs speak out in opposition after the election, they are apt to find themselves sacked! Indeed the DUP candidate that appears on the doorstep is not free, if elected, to represent their constituent’s views. They are stooges who will do their master’s bidding.

To support the DUP at this election is to support instability in any future Government here. Can you imaging Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness leading a trade delegation to the USA. Not speaking to each other, not appearing on platforms or studios together - a recipe for disaster and embarrassment for Northern Ireland.

One of the main DUP election platforms is that unionist voters have to vote for them or Sinn Fein will become the largest Party and be First Minister. How did this possibility come about, because in the first Assembly unionists had a veto on who would be in the two joint posts? We can thank the outstanding negotiating skills of the DUP, it was through them the veto was set aside. The DUP sat in the House of Commons and Lords and watched the change in legislation go through, without raising any objection. It suits them as a tool to frighten the unionist electorate into voting for them.

But the threat is nonsense. The polls show the SDLP making gains against Sinn Fein, the Republican Movement is deeply split on the issue of policing and their vote is fractured. So Sinn Fein is unlikely to be the largest Party. It would be very unhealthy for Northern Ireland to carve up its political system between two very large parties. It would prevent the emergence of proper coalitions and hinder the development of normal politics.

In the 2003 Assembly elections you will recall that the DUP had a ‘cunning plan’ but could not tell people what it was. In 2005, they promised a new, fair deal and one that excluded Sinn Fein from government. Both were ‘smoke and mirrors’. Now they are up to their old confidence tricks again, scaring people and pretending that they can bring stable government to the Province. So unstable is the DUP internally that the will not be able to deliver on their promises. ‘Can’t deal - won’t deal’. ‘Can’t deliver- won’t deliver’.

Mr Robin Swann, the North Antrim Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate, has pledged his “total backing” for 20 hours of pre-school education as a universal entitlement for all children.

Mr Swann said this pledge was a significant part of the Ulster Unionists’ election manifesto, and in this respect, he also “wholeheartedly supported” the Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association’s call for the 20-hour curriculum.

The North Antrim UUP candidate added: “The real benefit of having a full devolved and legislative Assembly is that it can work in partnership with parents and teachers to provide a quality educational environment and experience for all our children.

“The early years of children before they enter primary education can be vital in teaching them both a number of essential life skills as well as building their confidence in preparing to enter Primary One.

“This is why 20 hours per week of pre-school learning should be a guaranteed right for every child in our Province. We are not simply beginning the process of preparing the children for primary school, but we as a Province are investing in their futures as part of a life-long learning strategy.

“Today’s pre-school children will be tomorrow’s workforce. Also, by introducing them to the Northern Ireland education system from an early age, when the young people reach the age to progress into higher education, hopefully, the vast majority of them will chose to remain in Ulster and combat the so-called ‘brain drain’ to Great Britain.

“In this respect, I would urge any future Executive to ensure our Province meets the target of establishing at least 70 Sure Start Children’s Centres by 2012. This is a figure proportionately equivalent to those set up in Great Britain.

“Likewise, the legislative Assembly must equally ensure that these centres are accessable to all in the community – both those from urban and rural-dwelling families,” said Mr Swann.

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the North Antrim Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate, says any new legislative Assembly has “a moral duty” to implement a plan of action which helps local farmers sell more of their Ulster-produced goods in the Province’s shops.

Dr Coulter said: “A local Assembly must think and act local, especially for the benefit of our hard-pressed farming community.

“If a legislative Assembly is to truly help the Northern Ireland agricultural sector get back on its feet both financially and in terms of job security, then MLAs have a moral duty to answer the question – given the amount of overseas produce in Ulster shops, how much and how many specific products could be supplied by our local farmers for a fair price?

“It is imperative the future Assembly fully investigates the controversial issue of so-called ‘food miles’. This is where products are imported from around the globe and are transported many miles before reaching the Ulster shop shelves.

“What is urgently required to rebuild our once mighty agricultural sector is to ensure that foreign imported food is subjected to the same legislation as the food safety standards for Ulster-produced commodities.

“For more than a decade, many Ulster farmers found themselves isolated and financially crippled because of the European beef ban sparked by the BSE crisis.

“However, any future Assembly must equally ask serious questions about potential health risks from food being imported into Northern Ireland from abroad.

“Ulster farmers have built an impressive record in produce safety and food hygiene. It is only morally just that a fully legislative, power-sharing Executive puts Ulster’s farmers first by encouraging the Province’s shoppers to buy local first,” said Dr Coulter.

Cllr Angus Carson, UUP Assembly candidate for Strangford has said his party will use the Assembly to build quality local health services for the people of Strangford and Northern Ireland.

Cllr Carson said:

“The National Health Service makes real impact on all our lives whether as individuals, families or communities. The investments we make in our health service must be designed to secure access to quality healthcare and advice and it must reach all of us.

“The Assembly can bring local accountability, strategic direction and targeted investment to the health service which will stand in contrast to the unaccountable mismanagement of Direct Rule.

“The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to early intervention, local healthcare and advice and above all health services that are free at the point of need.

“In the course of the next Assembly the UUP is committed to seeing the introduction of free prescriptions for all, free eye tests, an investment package for dentistry, allowing pharmacists to prescribe for non-urgent conditions and developing the health service so that patients can have access to NHS staff and medical advice 24 hours a day.

“Only the Ulster Unionist Party is presenting a programme designed to bring the National Health Service back to its founding principles of providing first class, free health treatment for all and if elected will spend the next four years striving to achieve this.”

“In the UK in 2005, 24 children aged under 10 years were killed while travelling in cars and a further 226 were admitted to hospital. When used properly, child passenger restraints reduce injury by 90-95% for rear facing restraints and 60 % for forward facing.

“All parents should be aware that from the end of February there will be a legal requirement to provide correct child restraint for all children in your car (under the new law all children up to 135 cm (4 ft 5 ins) in height or up to 12 years of age (whichever occurs first) must comply and the driver is held responsible for any child up to the age of 14 using the correct belt/restraint).

· Perhaps the government (i.e. DOE) should do more to publicise these legal requirements.

· Parents need to act now to ensure they are not breaking the law

· By all means shop around regarding any purchase of baby/child/booster seats because there is great variation in prices.

It is of course regrettable that many already hard-pressed families are about to be hit by yet another demand for cash. At the same time, what price a child’s life?”