Ulster leaders 'must seize one-off opportunity'

Tony Blair today warned talks being held in a bid to restore devolution to the North were a “one-off opportunity” to build a lasting future for the province.

As politicians meet in St Andrews for make-or-break discussions on power-sharing at Stormont, Mr Blair said the causes of political stalemate since 2002 had not gone away, but all sides would have to work together “to pursue their political objectives but in a peaceful way”.

He told MPs at question time: “I think this is an historic opportunity and we should seize it.

“It is necessary if we are going to make progress in Northern Ireland to realise the issues aren’t going to change.”

He said the lack of progress since Stormont was suspended four years ago was “because we have been unable to resolve these outstanding issues”.

“They are not going to change, they are not going to go away, they are still going to be there irrespective of what happens.

“This is a one-off opportunity in my view to build on all the progress that has been made and put in place a future for the people of Northern Ireland that will last, that will allow prosperity, that will allow people to celebrate the diversity of Northern Ireland, that will allow people to pursue their political objectives but in a peaceful way.”

Mr Blair and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain are due to arrive in Scotland for the talks in the afternoon.

Parties from across the political spectrum will attend to discuss a range of issues including policing, changes to the way the Northern Assembly would elect ministers in the future, how Stormont will operate and a special financial package to bolster a deal.

In the Commons Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell questioned Mr Blair over the consequences of failing to agree a deal before the November 24 deadline, which is “only now some six weeks away”.

“But in the past deadlines have come and gone. What is different about this deadline, and if it is not met, what will the Government do,” Sir Menzies said.

But Mr Blair insisted that with the talks about to begin “it would be not very sensible to speculate about what happens if they don’t work”.

“The shared future agenda for the people of Northern Ireland is essential,” Mr Blair added.

“Obviously what is necessary now is to get the political stability within the right political framework for the future and we very much hope we can do that.”