DUP holds annual conference in Belfast

DUP holds annual conference in Belfast

The 78-year-old DUP leader, Ian Paisley, is expected to be cheered to the rafters when he rises to make his speech this afternoon in Belfast.

The party is in bullish mood and there's expected to be plenty of criticism for the UUP leader, David Trimble, especially from Paisley’s heir apparent Peter Robinson.

Republicans too will get a lashing but most serious interest will lie in what the DUP proposes and the kind of language it uses about its future intentions.

Party leaders want devolved government back and they can t have that on their own so spectators are waiting to see if they make any conciliatory gestures towards nationalism.

It is expected that the party will also focus strongly on the forthcoming June European election.