26/11/2011 Democratic Unionist Party Conference

Hello and welcome it to be programme. Several hundred

delegates have gathered here at the La Mon Hotel in the County Down

countryside for two days and speeches and debates and to catch

up with old friends and familiar faces. They are getting ready for

the highlight of the conference, the leader's speech, where Peter

Robinson will outline his vision for the next year. We will bring

that to you live. Already, Arlene Foster has had a warm reception

despite recent controversy over gas exploration in Fermanagh and

allegations of a conflict of interest, which she has strongly

denied. Later, the party's court jester, Sammy Wilson, will be

entertaining members with his unique style of or Tory. With me is

Mark Davenport. What do you make of it so for? -- so far? This is a

pretty confident performance. They top the poll in elections, they can

afford to feed confident, given it is a while until they will be face

another electoral test. They have a battery of ministers who have

presented various initiatives. Not just Arlene Foster but we have also

had nothing McCausland and Edwin Poots. They see themselves as the

decision-makers at Stormont. can hear the cheers as Peter

Robinson comes into the hall to deliver his speech. A different

atmosphere for him this year compared to last? Last year, there

were memories of the controversy that had beset him controversy --

personally and also the electoral test. He'd pass that test and he

did not have any setbacks at Stormont. We will hear an attempt

to be more of a statesman. He has left having a go at the party's

critics to the other speakers, such as Nigel Dodds. This will be a

speech about bringing people together. We will hear a lot of

talk about the shared society. Interesting times and a lively

speech from Nigel Dodds? He did not take any prisoners. He had lots of

jokes. He was getting into Sammy Wilson's territory as the court

jester but I do not expect a similar performance from Peter

Robinson. Let's see what he has to say.

What a crowd! Thank you for your support. Thank you for your

dedication and enthusiasm. Thank you for Europe extraordinary

loyalty, your commitment and the unity we enjoy within his party.

Thank you for making our incredible success possible. Together, this

past decade, we have achieved something special. As a result of

the work like you have done, Northern Ireland is a better place.

-- that you have done. I want to fight not just our friend here

today, but every one at home who entrusted us with their vote. It is

ultimately not politicians, but the people, who decide what sort of a

country we have. Our power is derived from the support and

consent to of the Ulster people. For the trust reposed in us, we

will return to the courage and devotion that befits the task that

we have been set. This party has come a very long way in a short

time. Today, thanks to a hard work and dedication, we are the largest

party in Northern Ireland. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE. Because of

you, Northern Ireland continues to have eight Unionist First Minister.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE. Winning elections is not just about

getting more seats than our opponents. It is about getting a

mandate to shape the future. In a decade's time, Northern Ireland

will mark the centenary of its existence. Today, I want to set out

a pathway to our next 100 years. A vision of a shared society that

will secure the future with in the United Kingdom for generations to

come. I want to set out how we ensure that this party will set

that future. 12 months ago, there were very few who would have

believed that today we would be celebrating not just a victory, but

an increase in our representation at Stormont. Here we are, stronger

and in greater numbers than ever before. Who would have believed

that we could top our performance of 2007? Not after the fall-out

from entering government, which included Sinn Fein, not after the

impact that that had on both Dromore and European elections. Not

after the setting up of another Unionist Party to oppose us. And

not after the trials and tribulations that we faced. Losing

40% of our vote was painful. There was an anxious uncertainty amongst

our friends, alongside the torrent of abuse from our opponents. The

press and media encircled are camp, predicting her downfall and when

other Unionist parties before Russ were under a similar fire, before

amongst themselves, became director Liz, did not have the ability or

have they lost the will to explain their decisions. -- became without

direction. And then, they plummeted in the polls. The dark days that we

encountered were worth all that they cost us. They taught us that

we needed to reconnect with our support base. They taught us to

stand our ground, explainer decisions, face sterner critics --

explain our ground and face are critics and it tested the

motivation of those around us. We held together, we stayed united, we

came through the fire as one. From the shadows of our troubles came

hope and from that hope, it's drying triumph. -- spraint trialed.

We sought a mandate to work with other people -- parties for the

benefit of the people, and we got it. This is a new era in Northern

Ireland politics. We will never forget the conflict or turmoil that

we have come through. We will never forget the lives that have been

lost and destroyed. We salute those who paid the supreme sacrifice in

defence of our province's freedom and liberty. There's not a day

back-passes that we are not mind full -- there's not a day that

passes that we are not mindful of those left behind. They bear their

loss and suffering with great dignity. No matter what selective

inquiries and sexual campaigns there maybe -- sector and will

campaigns there may be, we are resolved never to let republicans

As a society and as a community, we are ready to move forward. The

clearest sign of this new era was the side of the police and the GAA

standing side by side at the funeral of a young Catholic police

officer, murdered by dissident republicans. That was a glimpse

into the future. It was symbolic of change and symbols are important.

The murder of Ronan Kerr, a constable in the PSNI, showed that

the threat from terrorism still exists but more importantly, their

reaction to his death demonstrated that such threats will never, never

wane. -- and win. Ulster will not be defeated.

The end of the conflict has meant that elections are more, not less,

important in shaping the kind of society we want to live in. We can

take nothing for granted. We know it will be the ballot box alone

that will determine our future. It is not long ago that people

wondered if Sinn Fein might become the largest party and return a

Republican First Minister. Not only did they hold them off, but we

actually extended our lead. It was a spectacular election result, it

right across the province. Today, as a result of the voter

endorsement, it is the DUP leading in shaping the political landscape.

38 seats was a truly remarkable achievement and as your leader, I

want to congratulate all those who were elected not just to the

Assembly, but to the councils as well. I want to thank all of those

candidates who did not make good this time. Let me assure you, your

time will come. I was especially glad to see Alan Brett land with us

Most of all, I want to thank everyone who give their time to

support a party. -- the party. It is good to reflect on our

achievements but the real work lies ahead. An election is only ever the

start. With great success comes greater responsibility. The first

term of the Assembly was not smooth sailing, but despite all of the

challengers, we did make a difference. We secured peace and

stability, bedded down devolution and completed the first Assembly

term in over a generation. That's not all. We put our agenda at the

heart of government. We set a new direction. The DUP has been a

linchpin at the heart of the Assembly and Executive. We never

claimed that leading a five-party mandatory coalition would be silky

smooth, and it is not. Unlike other administrations, divisions do not

get a third behind the scenes. Instead, under this system, they

get dramatically and often translucent Lee played out under

the full glare of the media. Some Executive that ministers seek to

exaggerate differences so they can exploit them. -- Executive

ministers. Some genes position to be in opposition to the executor of.

-- Sheen's Position to be in opposition to the Executive.

Opposition for opposition's sake is punished at the polls. We need to

persuade people that devolution is not just good in theory, it is good

in practice as well. People listen and read negative commentators who

only report problems and bad news. What about the peace and the

constitutional stability? The investment from major global

companies to our shores? What about Northern Ireland being on the

international map for film, music and television? What about free

travel for all the people on public transport? What about the lowest

household taxes in the UK? What about student fees being frozen and

the rescue package for PMS savers? What about the delivery of more

jobs to Northern Ireland than under any past government? And what about

highest levels of infrastructure investment in our history? I could

go on, but I think you get their hair -- message. We have a record

of achievement to be proud of but it is only a start. It is still her

bidets but we have made a positive start. -- early days. We are

putting in place building blocks for the future. In the last few

weeks we have agreed how to take forward the Review of Public

Administration and the Education Skills Authority. We have published

a programme for government, our investment strategy and economic

strategy. People want to see us taking decisions and making a

difference. That is what we are elected to do. The new imperative

is getting things done. While some other parties may be focused on

whether or not they should go into opposition, this party is focused

on advancing the business of government. As we promised in our

manifesto, we are in the business of delivering. These are tough

economic times and the truth is, for many people, the real fear is

not that they are going to be sold into a united Ireland, bare except

the union is safe in our hands. The real fear is that they might not

have a job to provide for their family, or that their debts are

getting out of control. As an Executive, we have to focus on the

economy and do all that we can to We have an ambitious agenda. We

will press for the devolution of Corporation of cap -- corporation

tax and reduce its level. We will promote over 25,000 jobs, achieved

�3 million of investment through FDI and increase in manufacturing

exports by 15%. We will increase our visitor numbers and tourist

revenue and in defeat -- get an extension of the small business

rate relief scheme. We will make Northern Ireland an even more

attractive place for investment. By ensuring 90% of large scale

investment planning decisions are made within six months.

Applications with job potential are given additional weight. We have

set ourselves a challenging target to advance their shared education.

We will increase the number of university places for economically

relevant subjects and ensure our skills targets are aligned to the

needs of the economy. We will introduce tougher sentences for

those who are charged and found guilty of a tax on older people. As

far as we are concerned, if you are attacking a pensioner, pack your

I know people are finding it difficult to make ends meet so no

matter what some economists may want, we will continue to keep

household's tax the lowest in the UK. We will ensure there will be no

additional water charges. The next few years will see major reforms

across significant public services such as health, education and local

Government. Making them more efficient and effective. We will

support sensible reform of the Prison Service but let me make it

clear, we will ensure that the Crown and the royal title of

preserved. A decade ago, we were powerless to

prevent the implementation of the Patten report. We are not powerless

now. I couldn't help but notice that some of our opponents thought

I over egged my opposition to these matters. Let me tell them why it is

such a touchstone issue. As a matter of process, it was critical.

We spent years under the Belfast Agreement, watching ministers take

decisions without Executive or committee approval from the

Assembly itself. Ministers were unaccountable. St Andrew's changed

all that. It required any decision that was significant or

controversial, to have cross- community support. That protected

both traditions. Parties had determined -- determination to go

forward. However, the Justice Minister announced to the Assembly,

which stated that he would bypass this carefully crafted process and

allow unelected officials to take these decisions as operational

matters. Thereby denying the Executive, an elective

representatives a right to decide how we would move forward. It would

have been alarming. A blow on the process. Sometimes painfully

constructed. That was an issue of such moment and significance that

any true defender of democracy would have taken it to the people

and asked for their view. Secondly, in the past under the stewardship

of others, each of us witnessed how every aspect of British life in our

province was attacked and diluted. Anything that was British had to be

removed or neutralised. When the DUP took over the reins of Unionism,

we determined to detect -- to defend our heritage. Today,

tomorrow and always and we will The greatest challenge that we will

face in the next the years would be to rebuild our society after years

and years of division. We must work towards a more normalised form of

Government, with an Executive and an honest opposition, not a 5th

column that operates from within the ranks of the Executive himself.

There would be a sign of political immaturity. Now because it is good

for Unionism, but because it is good for democracy. Next year the

Assembly would be considering its own structures. There is real

opportunity for Stormont to evolve to democratic... It will only

happen in through agreement. While we work to do live in Government,

we must make sure, as a party, we are ready to face the next election

campaign. That election is not Scheduled until 2014. That doesn't

mean we can relax. We must work harder than ever before to ensure

we do even better next time. In that election, I want to see day

and the reward for all her hard So much for selection meetings. Now

is the time to plan for the future and set our strategy out for the

next decade. 10 years ago, with Unionism that in terminal decline,

which charted a course to recovery. Many doubted we could deliver but

we followed it through. Even when times were tough, we delivered. In

these changed times, we must charge -- chart a fresh path for the party,

the Assembly, the province and the Union. This party, our party, is

best placed to lead Northern Ireland into the future. For us to

make a difference, we have to earn and retain the support of the

people. Elections aren't one in the weeks but the years before polling

day. It is important that we use this time to reform, revitalise and

strengthen the DPP. Unlike other parties, we are able to do it from

a position of strength and unity. - - DUP. Our core values and beliefs

are unalterable. We must constantly adapt to new chair Rouge it -- to

new challenges and circumstances. We are building on the foundations

that have been laid over previous decades. I know there has not

always been at enthusiasm to advance, even to catch eight

further strategic objective. That is precisely the time to make the

next push forward. There has never been a moment when a difficult

decision had to be taken, when there wasn't someone claiming that

there might be a better time to take it somewhere in the future.

If you never try to succeed, you will never fail. You can sit and

oppose everything and hope others fail so you can seek to reap the

harvest of their failure. Achievements and difficult

decisions are linked. That is what leadership is about. Taking

decisions and taking the consequences. The real battle is

not about the past, it is about the future. We must always be sure to

fight the next campaign and not continue to fight the last one. Our

greatest threat is not a political opposition. The path to success

hasn't been painless but the testing times have only served to

strengthen us. We can look back now on everything that we have achieved

and we can see that what we did strengthened and enhanced our

party's position. It didn't we can get. It is not a time to rest on

our laurels, it is the time to move forward. Opportunity is sitting on

our doorstep. As a party, we must be the very best at everything that

we do. That means we must plan and prepare. Whatever our opponents do,

we must be one step ahead. That means a process of continual

improvement at every level. As a party, we must set demanding

targets and to live on them. The way people engage in politics is

changing. We must adjust to that change. That is why we need to find

new ways of interacting that relate to -- relate to modern-day society.

Party members are and will always be the lifeblood of any political

party. To maximise our potential, we must also harness the goodwill

of those outside of our membership, but who support us. I want to

create a new option for those who want to demonstrate support and

play a part in our future. I want to establish the concept of

registered party supporters. There will be no Effie attached if you

are signing up and no obligation to do more. -- no fee. Equally,

registered supporters will have a direct line to feed in their views

of ideas and involve themselves to whatever extent they decide. There

are people who for a variety of reason, can't or don't want to join

a political party. Their job may not permit them to do so, they may

spend a lot of time away from home, they may be too young. They may

come from a community background where joining a unionist Party has

not been common practice. They may have concerns about what membership

it involves. They support what we are doing and might occasionally

attend events that we organise. They follow our progress, want to

see us doing well, they vote for us. As an initial target, I want to

sign up 5000 registered party's supporters before the conference

next year. 5000 more the year after that. Yes, I admit it, I hope

registered party supporters will in their own time ease themselves into

membership of the party itself. At a constituency, I want us to turn

the best practice into common practice. We are looking at the

structure and content of party meetings. I want to see us

embracing additional party can figurations that bring members and

supporters with special policy interests together. Search

specialist groups wouldn't replace our tried and tested branch and

associations structure, it is about setting up creeps -- groups.

Encouraging greater involvement of women. Whatever activity our

membership wants to promote. Of course they will operate within the

guidelines set up within the party but what we will be doing is making

meetings more relevant to meetings and supporters' interests. Yes, we

will be constructing another slip road to he's now members into

active political involvement. I want to reach into every community

of Northern Ireland. I want to see far more women as elected

It shouldn't be just the women who are clapping that statement. In the

next six months, we will revise our party rules to make them fit for

purpose. Fit for the challenges that lie ahead and fit to deliver

continued success. I am proud of his party's past and I am immensely

grateful for that Ian achieved as he led us through those dark and

He carried a heavy burden as he led us into leadership at Stormont, and

we all wish him well. I do not believe a word about him retiring,

there is no way Ian Paisley will retire! I'm proud of what we are

doing today and I am confident about our future. We have solid

foundations upon which to build. 176 councillors, 38 Assembly

members, four members of the House of Lords and worried MPs at

Westminster, magnificently played by -- led by Mike -- Nigel Dodds.

We have Diane Dodds as our MEP, battling for Ulster in Europe. We

have a fantastic team at every level across the province. I want

to affect our ministers and post holders. They have served this

party well. One of the most difficult jobs that I have as

leader is to allocate responsibilities. Having such an

abundance of talent makes the job so difficult. Arlene, Sammy,

nothing, Edwin, Jonathan, well done all of you. -- Nelson. As a team at

every level, we have so much to offer. That is why I am tired of

listening to the professional nay- sayers, who seemed intent on

talking Northern Ireland and democratic politicians down. They

criticise politicians, but are never prepared to stand for office

themselves. They and -- are an authority on everything but have a

mandate for nothing. One of them comes on our radio every morning,

well, at least those that his alarm clock is working! When he is eating

his crisps and Mars bars, he is either putting the worst possible

construction politicians are trying to do, or encouraging others to do

so. It is easy to pick holes in the work of others but it is hard to do

it yourself. It is the size of the have boated that gives you the

right to speak for the people. -- it is the size of your own boat. --

the size of Europe and vote. Stephen Nolan, you might have the

biggest show in the country but when the will of the people, we

have the biggest a vote in the country!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE. In a democracy, power is not

inherited, it is one. Our authority to be in office and to work for the

people is given to us democratically by the people. Mr

Chairman, I want to pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have served

and are still serving in Afghanistan. We especially remember

those who did not return. Those who gave their lives for country and

for freedom. Their sacrifice is a reminder to us of the part that

this province plays in the life of our nation. It was truly inspiring

to see so many people come out and read our soldiers at the recent

home coming parade. -- Kuyt. We remember them today and we will

ensure they are never forgotten. APPLAUSE.

While our soldiers are bringing a better life to people halfway

around the globe, we must do the same back here at home. I am a

Unionist, not just because of my background or culture, but because

I believe the union offers the best future for this province. There is

something in the Unionists I keep that assumes that our political

opponents are always superior at achieving their objectives. Often,

Unionists are more prepared to believe their opponents' propaganda

than the king of reality. -- looking at reality. Ask yourself,

what have they achieved? Rather than united Ireland, we have an

administration at Stormont with eight Unionist majority, enacting

British laws, and red white and blue is still flying from the

Flagstaff. That did not, by by longing for a return to the

institutions of the past. --, Bard. -- that did not come about. The

cross-border institutions are largely for show. The real work is

not through institutional structures but about issues that

really matter. It is personal relationships that will make North-

South co-operation work and the less political threat, the greater

the opportunity is to work together. It is our strategy, the path that

we started down a decade ago, that has prevailed. Getting devolution

on acceptable terms, seeking to make it work for everyone, ensuring

North-South structures are grounded in practical co-operation and not

advancing political ideology, building up the East-West axis and

demonstrating that the union works for everyone. Yes, it is our

strategy that has prevailed. We need to further reform the

institutions to deliver better government but we need to be

careful not to undermine the consent and acceptance of our

constitutional status in doing it. I do not want a simple majority in

favour of the union, I want an overwhelming majority to support a

constitutional position. Mr Chairman, in time, the economic

crisis will path. The lasting challenge for us will be to tackle

the causes of division. An end to the troubles did not bring an end

to division and the dilemma will not solve itself. Her critics have

claimed that we want a society carved up rather than share. Some

accuse us of wanting a separate but equal society. Nothing could be

further from the truth. It is not right and it would not work. I do

not want a society where people live close together but live

separate lives. This party cannot dictate the future, but we can

place issues at the centre of public debate and forced others to

justify their obstruction. -- force. There can be no greater legacy than

a shared community. It is not just good for Northern Ireland, it is

good for Unionism. This is how we can secure our future, not for the

just -- next decade, bought for the next century. Any society is

governed not by the will of society but by the consent of the minority.

We know that better than most. A conflict of this last 40 years

created terrible divisions. It became a case of them and us. That

attitude deepened divisions further. If we want a better society, it

cannot be them and Darth, it can only be all of us. -- them and us.

Recent surveys show over half of the Roman Catholic population who

were polled wished to remain part of the UK, and only a third wanted

a united Ireland. I want a society for those numbers are improved and

there are place in the kingdom is not reliant on demographics. --

where our place in the kingdom. There can be no greater guarantee

of our security than the support of the Catholic community. Now the

conflict has ended, we have a window of opportunity to reset at

the terms of political debate. We have the opportunity to securing

our constitutional position Beyond the visible horizon. Our task is

not to defeat, but to persuade. Over recent decades, Unionists have

been under attack and we have been forced to be defensive. Some

Republicans tried to bomb us into a united Ireland. Others sought

politically to cajole and wheedle us into a united Ireland. We have

withstood them all. When have we, as Unionists, actually sought to

persuade? Not just by words, but by creating the kind of inviting

society that everyone will want to be part of. Our determination and

resolve sold through the Troubles. Arkwright of no surrender served us

well in the days when we were being mercilessly attacked and our backs

were against the wall. -- Arkwright of no surrender. Happily, times he

had changed and a new approach is justified. Politics is changing in

Northern Ireland. Of course there will be those who are implacably

opposed to being part of the United Kingdom. Even today, they are a

minority in a minority. Bobby Sands once said that, the irate's revenge

would be the laughter of their children. -- IRA. Such narrow

vision. There has been too much talk of revenge and victory and

defeat. The DUP's ambition will be the laughter of all our children,

playing and living together, with a future that does not see them

having to leave our shores, but live here in Northern Ireland, in

the United Kingdom. If I read the mood and tempo of our people

correctly, we all the realise that we are interdependent. -- all

realise. If we are to move forward we have to move forward together. I

believe in this new era we have within our grasp. The cancer cure

Northern Ireland for the next century. -- we can see cure. --

secured. We can grasp the opportunity to effect change and to

deliver the aspirations of a deserving people. Our job is to

make a difference to the lives of individuals and communities. We

need to build one United, shared and peaceful society. Now is the

moment. Miss that, and we may miss it for ever. We have the prospect

of making a difference. Previous generations never had or never took

that. We have the chance in the future to ensure the people in this

country have a future that is meaningful, a future that is real.

I tell you nine is the moment. -- Now is the moment. We want to see

respect given to our varied conditions. We want to be able to

express culture with tolerance and respect, mindful of those who do

not share the values. We want people who do not share our values

to show tolerance and respect to those of us who do. We are the

first generation of peace time Unionists for many decades. No

longer under siege, moving forward with confidence and able to reach

out. Traditional unionism was never about prejudice or sectarianism or

at wrecking or division. That was never what Edward Carson stood for.

His Unionism was about shipping and sharing the freedoms, the security

and the bounty of the union to every citizen, regardless of

religious belief. That is the kind of society we want to build and I

tell you now is the moment. The DUP is the party of Northern Ireland.

They will tell it is soaked into the very soil. It will not expire

with this generation if we repeat - - we planted in the next. There

will Sir -- If there will be some that will try and fail. I do not

want to look at missed opportunities. I want this party to

make a real and a lasting difference. We will energetically

pursue a one community strategy. To be DUP leader and First Minister is

due a huge and enormous responsibility. It is a massive

honour. It is a challenge that I humbly and gratefully accept. But

today, I want to challenge all of you, both here and at home, help us

build a new Northern Ireland. Not just for some, but for all. Get

involved and even in some small way play your part in this great and

historic endeavour. Our problems may be spall bed our ambitions can

be great. We can prosper and weaken. -- we can flourish. For those who

left for far off opportunities to return to be part of what we are

creating. When our economy is strong and vibrant, where the world

wants to come and visit, where we treat each other as well as we

treat our overseas visitors. And where our community is reconciled

and at peace. That is a Northern Ireland that I want to see.

Possessing a dedication to succeed, providing promise, offering hope,

fulfilling its greatness, reaching its potential. That is our mission.

May God grant us the wisdom, courage and the strength to succeed.

That was quite a mammoth speech from the DUP leader. Mark, what

stands out for you? It wasn't the typical stuff that we would see in

DUP conferences, having a go at your opponents. You got a feeling

that there were no opponents out there. A lot of stuff as we were

predicting on the shed society near the end there, talking about one

community... To they can be persuaders, particularly Catholics

to join them within the Union. is interesting, this vision for the

future. He said it was all- encompassing. We have a series of

speeches about a shared education in the build up to this. Less

mention on the education system but quite a lot about the shared

society. One political aspect of this is he did look forward to the

Royal -- reorganisation of Stormont which is coming initially next May

when the cross-community compromise over the justice department runs

out. He talks about the need for an open and honest opposition at

Stormont rather than having the enemy within. Different emphasis

from Nigel Dodds he was having a go at the opposition for opposition

sake. Maybe someone who could sort out that a difference of opinion is

Simon Hamilton. BTP has always been firm in our view that we need to

get to more formal structure. -- the DUP has always been firm.

There's no difference at all in terms of our view that there should

be an opposition and we have an opportunity, given the issue that

Mark has raised about the justice portfolio, perhaps bring that

forward. You cannot have an opposition that is a synthetic

opposition where parties are half in, half out. We want to see a

structure up where they can be an official opposition. Is there not a

danger that people will come across some unpopular policy within the

DUP and Sinn Fein and Executive and start going in their droves to the

other parties? The DP is confident that no matter what the structure

is, we have policies that people want to warm to. -- DUP is

confident. The challenges of largest Protestant or Catholic

challenges, they are common to us all. We should be overcoming those

challenges in one committee. How do you square that circle one of the

have comments about emblems, where that is a traditional union stance?

They should be any controversy over that that we are part of the UK and

they have an importance. The real issue behind that was the issue of

the structure of Government we have a. We had a system before you take

the RUC example. They opposed the changes that were coming forward.

As a result of the negotiation that led by Peter Robinson, you have a

situation where they cannot do that. We do not support what happens now?

It is sounding as if he doesn't agree. I don't think anyone who is

in the unions' committee can dispute what happened to. We are

proud to embrace that. We would do it again if we had the opportunity

and will do the same that the Prison Service. I don't think

there's any contribution in wanting to support them. They often feel

they are in a at Cinderella service and have been forgotten about. We

need to build a community where everybody is pulling together. We

have a huge amount of challenges on the economic front. Only by coming

together can we ever come those challenges and make it a better

Northern Ireland. They talked about care and compassion being the

cornerstone of DUP policy but that is one minister who is going to

have to bring to cut to disability allowance and getting thousands of

people of incapacity benefits. have a social security at system

where we have to be up to Great Britain. It there are cuts coming

forward that we don't agree with and some reforms that are proposed.

One Nelson is going to try and do is ensure the administrator

flexibility he possesses is used in a way that we can go against the

most tore macro are the party's MPs may not have quite a high profile

that they used to Bert Nigel Dodds had his own 20 minutes of fame when

he addressed delegates this morning. After congratulating the party on a

good year at the ballot box, he pointed to tough times again but

not for the DUP. We know these are tough times for

many. For some there is a feeling of doom and Calluna, for others a

feeling of foreboding and despair about the future. Let's not dwell

too much on the Ulster Unionists and the TUV. Maybe we should do

well just a bit. Talk about power- sharing. Things are so bad they are

talking about having to start job sharing. John McAllister, he is now

moonlighting as the warm-up act for Gerry Adams united Ireland Roadshow.

Tom Elliott, he is hoping he still has a job to share. The Tories have

launched a takeover bid and want them to disband. Some are for us

but they had disbanded in some areas. Then there is Jim Allister,

poor Jim. He has got no one to share his job with. Of course as we

know, Jim is becoming less and less interested in real politics. He is

more into theatrics. May he would be taking up the acting full-time.

There is a panto season coming up and I could think of a few good

roles for him. He could play the big bad wolf, trying to blow the

house down. Or maybe the role of widowed Winky, more like a widow

cranky in his case. Maybe a small part like his party. He could be

great as grumpy in the seven dwarfs. Joining us now is the Enterprise

Minister, Eileen Foster. What stood out in Peter Robinson's speech for

you? There was quite a lot in a speech that he wanted to reflect on

the success of the party. Also looking at new party structures. As

well as that, it was his vision for Northern Ireland. It is a

recognition that we have been defensive in Unionism over this

past well and we have had to be because we were under attack.

Renewed confidence, we can go forward and articulate the benefits

of being a Unionists within the UK. To do that, Peter believes that the

best way to do it is through a shared future. His speech was

crowned broking today. I trust the people will see it as such. Is it

an end to No Surrender politics? reflected that in his speech. It is

about defensive Unionism. I think he very much recognised that in the

past, had to be defensive, had to stick together in a united,

cohesive way. The party has come through some difficult times and we

have come out stronger. We have had a marvellous conference, the

biggest ever. Far less moving forward, we want to look at a new,

stronger Northern Ireland within the UK. Our core principles will

always be the same but what we are saying is we have to change with

the times and look to the future. If what about this tried to get

Catholics to vote for the DUP? Is that a sincere option, something

that you actually want or is it about getting more votes and

staying in part? It is not about staying in power, it is about

widening our base. We have been good at that across the unionist

committed. We believe looking at what evidence is put before s,

there is a large number of Roman Catholics who are in Unionists and

he want to stay in the UK. They have found it difficult to find a

party to vote for. We will talk to you and we want you to come part of

our party structure because we believe in the UK that is for

everybody. Is it inevitable, given the baggage that the DUP carries

from the days of no surrender politics, that any Catholics who

might be favourable to the union in principle are more likely to be

attracted to the Alliance Party than to the Democratic Unionists?

am sure they are not a unionist Party. We are the party for

Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom and people are more

attracted to what we do. If you talk about political baggage within

the DUP, there's not a single party that doesn't have baggage over this

past period of time. Poppet has Dennis he has set out a clear

vision for Northern Ireland into our next century, something that is

exciting for us as party members and we believe it would change the

face of Northern Ireland moving forward. The union is not up for

debate any more. The union is not something that is discussed in

politics any more. We are dealing with the issues such as the economy,

where is the best place for a union -- Northern Ireland to be? It is in

the UK. What you think of some other comments? This beach is

designed to ignore the opponents. They feel... This speech is

In terms of this aspiration to attract Catholics, it is a long

thing. To some extent, they are more external rather than internal

to Northern Ireland. There is the economic challenge which Eileen

Foster has been wrestling with. Nigel Dodds talked about what is

going on in Scotland. In Scotland there is not only a debate about

independence but a debate about fiscal autonomy. That could change

the nature of Northern Ireland within the Union. Irrespective of

the internal politics, bows may be the major challenges this party

faces in the future. -- the voters may be. What is next for the DUP?

They have to relax, concentrate on the registered party's supporters