DUP 'poised to become dominant unionist voice'

The Democratic Unionist Party is poised to become the dominant force in pro-union politics, its Deputy Leader Peter Robinson claims.

The East Belfast MP was in upbeat mood as he addressed his party's 30th anniversary conference in Newcastle, Co Down.

Celebrating the DUP's best electoral performance, after picking up five seats in June, Mr Robinson claimed it would topple the Ulster Unionists as the major force in unionism.

"The Ulster Unionists know for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for them - their days are numbered. They are living on borrowed time and borrowed votes," he said.

The Stormont Regional Development Minister vowed that the party would fight all 18 constituencies in the next general election, predicting it would pick up another three Westminster seats including that of David Trimble.

Launching a bitter attack on Mr Trimble, First Minister of the power-sharing government, Mr Robinson contrasted the unity of the DUP with the deeply divided UUP.

"Our officer team is united in common purpose while the Ulster Unionist Party is tearing one another apart. How can the general public have any confidence in a party that has no confidence in itself?" he asked.

He accused Mr Trimble of surrendering to republicans in agreeing to the destruction of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the release of terrorist prisoners and seats in government for Sinn Fein.

And he urged anti-Agreement Ulster Unionists, attempting to topple Mr Trimble from within, to join the DUP if they failed to unseat him at the party's ruling council meeting next Saturday.