The Confused DUP Message to the Electorate - Armstrong
Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate for Mid- Ulster, Billy Armstrong has responded to the attacks by the DUP via their party election broadcasts and election literature which seem more intent on attacking the Ulster Unionist Party than showing any form of leadership for the future wellbeing of the citizens of Northern Ireland.
Billy said: The message I am receiving at the doorsteps throughout Mid- Ulster is that people are thoroughly fed up with the present DUP double speak on a future executive and making the Assembly workable, and again highlights the DUP internal difficulties, with even more of their District Councillors resigning from the party (David Tweed on 1st March)
Who, only a party that is nervous of losing some of its elected representatives to another Political Party would have an “undersigned” letter such as imposed by the DUP leadership, meaning that any DUP candidate that has been elected on 7th March would be removed from their Assembly seat, if he/she does not toe the party line. This is contrary to a fundamental principle of British democracy, and if Ian Paisley cannot trust his own candidates, why should any of you that might consider voting DUP. Long-standing loyal members of the DUP have said to me, “they have deserted the electorate and reneged on everything that they ever said, a lot of unhappy people in the DUP.
The DUP are unworthy of a leadership position for the Unionist people. In 2003 elections the people of Northern Ireland elected an Assembly thinking of the DUPs promise of a Fair Deal, this promise never materialised, just more concessions to Sinn Fein within the St Andrews agreement, who abused the political process again and again. So now the DUP plan to get it right now in the 2007 election, you the elected are asked to give DUP a second chance with a hollow promise of Getting it right this time.
So much for their pledge that they would “Smash Sinn Fein” or a “Fair Deal” and the latest ‘Getting it Right’ These are the con tactics that the DUP have used since 1969 without any positive results, and wasted all these years for a worse deal.
Now we have another opportunity to build a future for Northern Irelands people through devolved government and the Ulster Unionist Party is ready to go into a democratic elected government on 26 March 2007, are DUP and Sinn Fein ready?
The Unionist people I meet are now also ready for a regional government of their own, and they want a government that works for all of us. Given the progress that Northern Ireland has made in recent years, we must seize the opportunities for progress. It is now time to concentrate on the real issues, which affect all of us: Health, Schools, Rates and Water charges, our Environment, Jobs and Investment and the ability to Export merchandise worldwide.
There is a legal requirement for all parties who wish to hold Executive office to fully support the PSNI and the rule of law, and we in the Ulster Unionist Party intend to take those seats in the Executive to which we are entitled. No “ifs or buts” or timetables or threats to our candidates but a clear pledge to work for all of us.