DUP: Only we can stop Sinn Fein
The Democratic Unionist Party has said that a vote for the DUP in the general election is the only way to stop Sinn Fein becoming the province’s biggest party.
The anti-Good Friday Agreement Party said that it was the only party that would stand tough in negotiations and protect the future of unionism.
Its general election manifesto opens with the line “after years in decline, unionism is finally on top. Don’t let Trimble wreck it.”
The DUP overtook the more moderate Ulster Unionists as the biggest unionist party in Northern Ireland in the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
Fundamental to the DUP’s manifesto is the call for the peace process to move on without Sinn Fein.
It reads: “It is clear from recent events that republicans have proven themselves to be incapable of making the move to exclusively democratic means. It is time to move on. Send a clear message to the Government that it must proceed without Sinn Fein.”
Speaking at the launch, DUP leader Ian Paisley said that it was time for the electorate to deliver the “ultimate rebuff” to Republicans.
Dr Paisley said: “The only way that IRA/Sinn Fein can be defeated is if the DUP is declared by the majority of voters to be Northern Ireland’s largest party and the authentic voice of Northern Ireland”.
The Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP launched their general election manifestos yesterday.
Of the main Northern Ireland parties only Sinn Fein is still to unveil its manifesto – expected next week.
