Trimble can't be trusted, claims DUP manifesto

All parties aspiring to be part of the government of Northern Ireland must turn their backs on violence for good, the Rev Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists insisted today at the launch of the party's election manifesto.

The party made the demand in the glossy 32-page Assembly Election manifesto which set out seven tests for a lasting political settlement in Northern Ireland.

The DUP’s manifesto, half of which is devoted to the party’s agenda for devolved government, also attacked David Trimble’s record, claiming the Ulster Unionists could no longer be trusted to represent their community in negotiations.

The party’s seven tests are:

:: Any agreement must command the support of both nationalists and unionists.

:: Any Assembly must be democratic, fair and accountable. Any executive power must be fully accountable to the Assembly.

:: Only those committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means should exercise any cabinet-style ministerial responsibility.

:: Within any new agreement, any relationship with the Republic of Ireland must be fully accountable to the Assembly.

:: A new settlement must be able to deliver equality of opportunity for unionists as well as nationalists.

:: Agreed arrangements must be capable of delivering an efficient and effective administration.

:: The outcome must provide a settlement within the UK, not a process to a united Ireland. It must provide stable government for the people of Northern Ireland and not be susceptible to recurring suspension.

The manifesto criticised Irish and British government peace process proposals, claiming their joint declaration was a “threat to Ulster” which offered a “raft of concessions” to republicans.

It also portrayed a “nightmare” vision of what Northern Ireland would be like in the next four years if the Ulster Unionists remained the largest voice in unionism.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams would become Deputy First Minister, the party claimed.

His colleague Gerry Kelly would be Policing and Justice Minister, Sinn Féin ministers would act unaccountably, there would be more cross-border rule between the Irish and Stormont Governments and also a permanent place for republicans in government.

The second half of the manifesto contained six pledges to senior citizens.

The party said it would support:

:: The provision of free travel on public transport to all over-60s.

:: Free personal and nursing care for older people as in Scotland.

:: Action to ensure older people claim all the benefits they are entitled to.

:: More security for the elderly in their homes.

:: A substantial increase in the size of the state pension.

:: The delivery of free television licences to all over 65.

On other “bread and butter” issues, the DUP also vowed to:

:: Oppose local tax rises.

:: Reduce the number of Assembly members from 108 to 72, cutting the number of government departments by half as well as staffing levels in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister.

:: Abolish the Civic Forum, cut back on cross border implementation bodies and the North South Ministerial Council.

:: Redefine the equality and human rights agenda.

:: Oppose the implementation of the Burns Report on post-primary education, promoting selection which places children in appropriate schools.

:: Address inequality in school funding, with small rural schools also receiving more funds to make sure they remain open.

:: Back proper investment in health services above the level of funding provided by the Treasury in the Barnett Formula but end “knee jerk spending” on health, with audit trails to see how and where funding is spent.

:: The training of more doctors and healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland universities to address NHS staff shortages among nurses as well as the need for more radiographers and extra speech, occupational and physiotherapists.

:: Continued opposition to the use of 50:50 recruitment quotas for Catholics and Protestants wishing to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland, tougher sentences for car crime, hate crimes, crimes against the elderly, presumptive mandatory minimum sentences for repeat burglary, tougher powers to combat anti-social behaviour, justice for the victim and accused in sex crimes, a tougher approach to dealing with criminal and terrorist gangs.

:: The promotion of small businesses, opposition to additional taxation, support for broadband and the expansion of the information technology sector, particularly outside Belfast, as well as opposition to the euro.

:: Support for the restructuring of the dairy industry towards value added products, the resumption of beef exports outside the UK and a more transparent system for the grading and pricing of livestock slaughtered within Northern Ireland.

:: To make road safety a priority with education, engineering and enforcement initiatives to tackle the problem and insurance companies being encouraged to fund accident remedial schemes.