Trimble: We take Westminster seriously
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has today said his party are the only Northern Irish party that takes Westminster seriously.
Launching the UUP’s general election manifesto, Mr Trimble said that they were the “party that believes in and practises British politics in this part of the United Kingdom”.
And he accused his political opponents of engaging in “the politics of extremism – the politics of fear and division”.
Claiming that today’s manifesto would ensure the best for Northern Ireland, Mr Trimble said: “Unlike every other party in this election, we take Westminster seriously. We take the job of representing the people of Northern Ireland in our nation’s Parliament seriously.
“We have, unlike others, a genuine record of achievement. In the last Parliament Ulster Unionist MPs delivered for Northern Ireland – the creation of the IMC, stronger laws against organised crime and anti-social behaviour, protected local pharmacies, additional funding for improved school dinners, extended the protection scheme for employee’s pensions to Northern Ireland.”
Attacking Sinn Fein as “incapable”, the SDLP as “marginal” and the DUP as “caught up with grandstanding” Mr Trimble said it was only the UUP which would represent Northern Ireland.
Moving on, the UUP leader called for resumption of the Northern Ireland Assembly, but with “significant changes”.
He suggested that the appointment of ministers should be freed from the formula so as to allow parties to explore alternative methods. And he claimed that he would look towards a coalition with the SDLP.
However, Mr Trimble said there could be no coalition with Sinn Fein. And he warned that the present stalemate in Northern Ireland’s peace process is dangerous, and that voters must reject the extremes in order to end it.
