“People should never forget what it was like during the era of weak and compliant UUP rule. Unionism was in a constant state of retreat because of the Belfast Agreement. The prisoners were released. The Royal Ulster Constabulary was destroyed. Republicanism was rampant and setting the agenda in our country, despite their minority status. The UUP had neither the strength nor the inclination to take the fight to the forces of Republicanism. The DUP is proud to have brought those days to an end. Nobody is boasting about Irish unification by 2016 anymore.
 
On all fronts and at every level we have rolled back the nationalist agenda and are following our Unionist agenda. We have re-moulded government to our vision. No longer can ministers simply go off and do as they please. As Margaret Ritchie found out this week and as Mr. Justice Morgan has confirmed, the system which was created in 1998 by the pro-Agreement parties no longer exists. We have literally dismantled the Belfast Agreement.
 
North-South bodies whilst once free-standing and undemocratic are now accountable to the representatives of the people. Who can seriously deny that the DUP is setting the agenda or claim that Direct Rule would be better for Unionism?
 
Every impartial observer of the political scene agrees that the DUP is the driving force in Stormont. Whilst this is certainly the case, people should not misunderstand us. We do not consider the present form of government suitable in the medium to long term. Yes we are driving forward a reforming agenda. We have not reached our final destination.
 
The party is committed to reducing the number of Assembly Members. A country like ours has no need of 108 MLAs. We want to reduce the number of government departments too. It was not us, but the pro-Agreement parties who set up the current system. Other parties have been scrambling, since the economic downturn began, to try and move onto our ground. People who for years defended the current set up are now sitting in studios expressing their support for our drive towards reducing the number of departments and MLAs. Not only are we setting the agenda, but we have pushed the other parties into accepting our policies.
 
The DUP alone has an exciting radical and forward looking reform agenda. By voting for Diane in the forthcoming election people can express their support for our plans to radically re-structure the system of government here. They can send a message that we want no slide backwards to Unionist irrelevance and powerlessness. It helps of course that they will also be voting for an experienced, first-class public representative, who is clearly the best qualified person for the job of MEP.
 
As the largest party in the Assembly, with 36 MLAs we are setting the agenda in Stormont. We have 6 ministers in key government departments. With 9 MPs we are the undisputed voice of Northern Ireland at Westminster. We are the largest party in local government. A strong vote for Diane will complete our team, by giving Unionists experienced, hard-working representation in Brussels as part of a strong and united party that is working to make Northern Ireland the best part of the UK in which to live, work and raise a family.”

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