In Belfast, Cameron vows to bolster union

CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron became one of the first people to fly into Northern Ireland yesterday as the return of the volcanic ash cloud failed to cancel his campaign plans.

He touched down at Belfast City Airport on his way to a rally, to address candidates standing on a joint Conservative/Ulster Unionist ticket in 17 of Northern Ireland’s 18 constituencies.

An expectant crowd of supporters gathered at La Mon House hotel in the city and were relieved to hear that Cameron’s pledge to campaign in Northern Ireland had not been grounded.

The Conservative leader was under pressure to address fears that he will impose major public sector cuts in The North.

His party has also been criticised for dropping a pledge to stand in all Northern Ireland constituencies. The Tories, Ulster Unionists and Democratic Unionists have instead united behind a joint unionist candidate in Fermanagh/South Tyrone in an attempt to take the seat from Sinn Féin. Cameron told Conservative/Ulster Unionist candidates and supporters at the event that if he became prime minister he would bolster the union that binds Britain. “Our two parties have created a new dynamic force for Northern Ireland, he said.

“We are not just saying that we are the party of the union, we are showing that we are the party of the union, the party of Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England – with candidates standing in every part of the United Kingdom.

“Nobody else can say that. Not Labour. Not the Liberal Democrats.”

He added: “I will never be neutral on the union.

“We passionately believe that England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are stronger together, weaker apart – and the union of our two parties strengthens those bonds.”

His pledges on the union, coupled with a promise not to single out Northern Ireland for undue cuts, won a rapturous reception from supporters.

Flanked by Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey and general election candidates, Cameron also promised moves to create jobs in the region. But challenged on whether he may not soon be seeking support from the rival DUP to form a government, he said: “We are fighting this election to win.”