24/11/2012 Democratic Unionist Party Conference

Welcome to the conference. We have had that's from the DUP annual

gathering, including coverage of the main event, Peter Robinson's

keynote speech. Already, delegates have been enjoying contributions

from the Health Minister, the deputy leader and the Enterprise

Minister, Arlene Foster. Diane Dodds is at the podium now, taking

the applause of the delegates and she has just finished speaking. She

is about to step down. Peter Robinson is going to be there,

delivering his speech within the next 10 minutes. With me is a

political expert, Professor Rick Wilford and at the La Mon House

Hotel, Mark Devenport. 450 delegates, I think. It is a big

conference. What is the mood? It it certainly is big. You get a sense

from the scale of the size of the DUP and their success, a lecturer

in, they have stretched proceedings across a couple of days. They

started with the rural affairs breakfast, addressed by the Irish

government minister, unthinkable years ago. They would normally

there to protest Irish ministers coming north of the border. They

talk about pragmatic co-operation North and South in relation to

areas like agriculture. They have their court jester, Sammy Wilson,

speaking. He talked about the efforts of Unionists in days gone

by to bring Northern Ireland to a standstill. Danny Kennedy, this was

his job, he as Transport Minister has succeeded with those new bus

lanes around Belfast, that was a typical jocular performance. With

me to give some assessment be is the DUP a member, Strangford MLA,

Simon Hamilton. The Heidi you assess this period in the life

cycle in terms of elections? Still time to go but building for the

European election? It is a good platform, the party is in confident

mood, confidence bigger than ever and it is very clear from the line-

up that we have that we will have our own Secretary of State speaking

later, the Shadow Secretary of State last night and we are at the

centre of politics. That is reflected in the mood. We saw

pictures of Diane Dodds finishing up her speech. Speculation as to

whether or the DUP might run two candidates in the European

election? We will assess that closer to the time. In the last

election, we were pretty strong and the opinion polls show that is a

position that is growing so that is something worth considering. There

is enough strength that they are to consider running two candidates but

we shall take the decision closer to the election. Guests and the

front row, Adam had a son, formerly the Alliance councillor in North

Down. It looks quite likely he shall come to you. You say that you

want to be more in the centre, representing everyone, yet he is

leading on the business of gay marriage. He thinks Alliance Party

has gone too far. You are still very much in the conservative end

of politics? Adam is very welcome and I hope he will have a very good

conference. The reason he left the Alliance Party is that is the

centre ground, the majority of people have backed the decision

that he has taken. It is one of the DUP is at the forefront of.

terms of trying to appeal across the religious divide, we will hear

more from Peter Robinson about the support he believes there is in the

Catholic community for the union and people say that the DUP tries

to have it both ways, talking about shared society but happy to engage

in dog fights about the Union flag at City Hall? We will always stand

proud for the Union flag and it is a fly that embraces everybody. But

there are other issues, we take very seriously in trying to bring

everybody from every background together. It doesn't mean they have

to agree with our point of view but we want to see Northern Ireland

moving forward in a cohesive way. We regularly introduce you as the

man he will be the Finance Minister, are you getting impatient? Sammy

Wilson is doing a very good job. I serve at the pleasure of the party

leader. When he asks me, I will be ready to step up. Thanks very much

for joining us. Maybe at this point, back to the studio and Professor

Rick Wilford? Burford. Mark Devenport. The leader taking the

stage in five minutes. What do you think we should be looking for in

Peter Robinson's speech? Or what might we expect? More of the

centre-right platform, he began to articulate that sense 2007, which

is to position the party more less in the centre right ground on

issues like shearing and integration and he has been

particularly vocal about that in the recent past. -- sharing. And

shared schooling. The primary impetus will be on celebrating the

DUP's growing success. Which is reflected in the fact that they are

contemplating two candidates for the European election. There will

be a lot on the economy, the demand for attracting foreign direct

investment, we don't know if anything is in the offing from that

China trip but actually to the fore. The fact that the G at mending --

G8 meeting in Enniskillen, that is something that could not have

happened unless there was some overarching stability that attends

the institutions in Northern Ireland and he certainly is correct.

It is very difficult to anticipate any issue that can be derailed

those institutions. The emphasis will be on the future. But he has

to reassure not just the party faithful but the wider audience

that this is an executive that can do more than simply ameliorate the

effects of recession. The extent to which their hands are tied in

levering finance is significant and I thought during this -- during the

course of the week, in an interview he gave, I thought he was very

relaxed. Corporation Tax has been bubbling on for so long, he seems

reconciled to the prospect that this will not happen during the

course of the current Assembly man dead so they have to look elsewhere

to induce inward investment. -- mandate. Particularly with the

private sector operating. With that on the longer finger, there will be

some level of expectation about what the executive can do

realistically to kind of cushion the worst effects and the

deprivation in what is looking like a very austere future. OK, we shall

hear more from you in a moment. Thanks for it. Peter Robinson it

needed a cheerleader but to better than Nigel Dodds? He praised his

bus and his predecessor. But he could not resist taking a dig at

his Ulster Unionist counterpart. Just over 40 years ago, Dr Paisley

lay down and vision for this party. He drew on the lesson learnt by

Unionists one century ago. And this party was built on a unity. Divided

we fall, but United we can build and Northern Ireland in which we

can proudly take our place on the world stage. Today, Peter Robinson

is building up on that great legacy. And as leader, Peter has been the

architect of electoral success, and expanding our reach, setting out

their vision for Unionism into a second century. Ladies and

gentlemen, in this room, it is the future of Unionism. And that

future... And make mone -- make no mistake, that future shines

brightly under the leadership of Peter Robinson. In this party, you

don't have to worry about what to say on Unionist unity. And the

Ulster Unionists, give a bit Derry get thrown out of the party for

being pro-Unionist. And then, we had John McAllister thrown out

because he was too much against it. The Ulster Unionists are becoming

like Fawlty Towers. Instead of don't mention the war, it is don't

mention Unionist unity! Nigel Dodds speaking to delegates. The warm-up

act for Peter Robinson, who has made his way into the hall and is

at the podium. He is about to address delegates. 450 delegates.

Mark Devenport says that this is going over two days. The arts of

flag waving and cheering and he has not even started. Let us hear what

he has to say... Thank you very much indeed. OK, thank you. Thank

you for that very warm welcome. And thank you for the fearful work that

each of you have been engaged in over the past year. Just in case

there is anybody from the Alliance Party in Belfast, could we see

When we last met at the conference, we celebrated a resounding Assembly

victory, having won more seats than at any time in our history. As you

can see, we are not done yet. Over the past 12 months, opinion polls

have shown that DUP support continues to increase. The last

published polls showed our support has risen while the Ulster Unionist

Party's has fallen. And we still have 1.5 years until the next

election. Let me welcome all of the new members who have joined the

party, whether they have come to us from other parties or if they

arrived fresh and ready to make some contribution in this era of

Northern Ireland politics. We stand on the verge of a defining period

for Unionism. The siege has been lifted, the Troubles are over and

the constitutional debate has been won. One century ago this autumn,

our forefathers overcame the greatest crisis which ever faced

Unionism. And in this decade, I believe that we have been presented

with Unionism's greatest opportunity. And this time, the

purpose isn't to defeat but, by words and deeds, to persuade.

Having failed to convince people that cure of the value of a united

Ireland, Gerry Adams, like the undead from a film, roams around

the globe, lecturing people about the creation of a united Ireland.

But, Democratic Unionists want to use their power of persuasion right

here at home, where it matters. To expound the benefits of belonging

to the union. That means challenging ourselves as well as

others. And that means building a society where everyone feels

equally valued. In promoting the benefits of the UK, Unionists have

a product that none of our opponents can match. This autumn,

other parties have used their conferences to be good opposition,

to criticise their opponents and sometimes their so-called friends.

And to decry what Northern Ireland Today, I want to take a different

approach. I want to talk about the union, about jobs, about programmed

delivery and reconciliation. I want to focus as much as possible on a

vision of hope, of progress, optimism and accomplishment. A

future built on advancement and prosperity and positive politics.

As other parties look inward, we must look outward and beyond our

normal horizons. This has been an historic year. We have celebrated

and commemorated a generation of Ulster men and women whose bravery

in 1912 maintained our British citizenship when it faced its most

serious threat. Those were defining days for Unionism and the Union.

They made us what we are today. But the era we are living through well,

I believe, when future generations look back, proved to be equally

important. The the 40 year campaign to wrench us from the union may be

over, but the new equilibrium has not yet been fully established. Few

generations face a defining moment face the confrontations are fat

fathers did a century ago. Few I suspect all discover the

opportunities that we have today. That past generation of Unionists

saved to the union and insured the creation of Northern Ireland. This

generation of Unionists, yes, our generation, has the opportunity to

reshape politics and guarantee Northern Ireland's place in United

Kingdom for centuries to come. As leaders of Unison today, our

responsibility is to hand this Provence on to those who come after

us in better shape than when we inherited it. We in this party hour

the custodians of Unionism. Michael as leader is to lay the groundwork

that will cement our place within the Union. If that means taking

tough decisions or abandoning an outdated dogmas, then I will do it.

The essence of our success has been, and will be, that of remaining true

to our enduring values but doing so in a way that is relevant to this

modern world. This is not a time for easy contentment of what we

have already achieved, rather it is a time to find ourselves with

ambition about what more we can do. In an age when politics is too

often seen as being about the small or trivial, let the peace and

prosperity of Northern Ireland be are driving ambition. We must not

be influenced in the tasks that we have set ourselves by the ups and

downs of the 24 hour news cycle. Only by the perspective of history,

the economic difficulties we face today are a tough but they will

pass. In time our problems will emerge stronger than ever. On 20th

September 1912, our forefathers came as one to sign the Ulster

Covenant. In the following 10 years vitiate what became Northern

Ireland for the decades that followed. So, too, in this

generation, will these next few years to shake our province well

into the 21st century. This month, we remembered once again at those

who died in the service of our country. In just four years' time,

we will commemorate the centenary of the Supreme sacrifice at the

Battle of the Somme. Some people say that we live in a selfish and

pampered generation. They wonder whether we have people today who

would be as prepared to make the same kind of sacrifice for their

country and community. I have no doubts. I look back on that long

for a nation of a brave Ulster men and women at who faced terrorism

over recent decades and in that same tradition, in defence of

country and community, give up that most sacred get - their own lives.

This month, during one of the saddest weeks of my term as First

Minister, I attended the funerals of David Black and Channing day.

Lives lost in the service of others. Words cannot erase the paean that

their families and friends are feeling. But we are humbled by

their sacrifice. Both at home and around the world, these people

chose to serve their country. Nothing can bring them back but no

one can erase the lives that they lived nor the service they have

given. Just as we remember those who died serving us all, let us

also remember those who continue to serve, whether it is here or abroad.

Their extraordinary work allows each of us to live normal lives and

we honour all of those heroes today. As a party, it is also right that

we spent some time this afternoon in solidarity with one of our own.

One who terrorists tried to murder but are due to his courage and

adeptness, he survived. In spite of facing a heel of bullets and being

shot several times, he managed, though injured, to shoot one of his

would-be assassins before struggling to his vehicle and

driving to the local police station from where he was transferred to

hospital. Not content with their failure to murder him, his home

were continues to be attacked and he and his family face ongoing

abuse. This recently reached an you know when councillors in the same

council of which he is a valued member, in his presence, they voted

to have on one of his would-be murderers released from appeal.

Conference, I asked you to rise and show support and solidarity with

our colleague, our friend, Dungannon councillor, some a brush.

You and your family will continue to be in our thoughts and

particularly our prayers. We cannot rewrite history. We can add a new

and better chapter to it. The responsibility for that will fall

to this party. The DUP has triumphed because it is united and

because it is strong, because it looks to the future and not just to

the past. Because it doesn't just say things have to court a popular

tide, but rather, it says what it believes and unlike many other

political parties, it believes what it says. Although we have been very

successful, we must not be smug or complacent. Just recall how quickly

other parties have fallen from power. I don't need to warn anyone

in this hall what division does to a party prospects. I don't need to

warn anyone in this hall because the DUP has always been as much a

family as it is a political party. During the past decade, we have

gone from strength to strength, not by closing our doors, but by

welcoming in all those who share her outlook and values. Let me say,

tantalisingly, we are not finished bringing people into the party yet.

Those who have joined us have made us stronger and in turn, it has

made Unionism stronger. At every level. In the European Parliament,

at Westminster and Stormont, this party continues to serve the people

of Northern Ireland. I want to thank all of you who have

contributed to the party's continuing success. As someone who

has been in the DUP since its formation over 40 years ago, in

good times and bad, when I look around today, I have never been

more optimistic about the future of our party and our problems. This

year, I have attended many Meryl installations and they have

included three of her youngest council leaders. The mayor of North

Down, the mayor of Craigavon and of course, the Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Guys, stand up please. Come on! Well done! November has an awful

lot to answer for - I will personally by the razor blade at

the end of this month! You will never win seats in East Belfast

kicking like a Mexican bandit! Are young people are a credit to this

party. They and their generation can ensure its success, not just

for years, but for decades to come. It is a work of all of our elected

representatives that has laid the foundation for our success. In

Europe, Diane has been tremendous, not just for what she has achieved

in the parliament. But also for the work she has done up and down the

country with individuals and with groups. Her NP's work complements

everything our Assembly team is doing at Stormont and when it comes

to friendship and loyalty, I suspect that nightmares but and

Alastair Macdonald could only dream of the level of support I can rely

on from Nigel Dodds. Our MPs are making their mark. Doing a valiant

job in the House of Commons and with the Commons arithmetic as it

is at the present time, we are in a very strong position. Stormont, we

have undoubtedly the largest and strongest team and that makes

choosing Executive ministers one of the toughest jobs I have. I want to

pay tribute to the work of our ministerial team. Sammy, Arlene,

Jonathan, thank you for the work you give to our problems. --

province of Northern Ireland. Together as a party, we have done

extraordinary things over the past 10 years. For almost a decade now,

this party has been entrusted with the leadership of Unionism and in

that time, we have transformed the political map, restored devolution

and put Northern Ireland back on the right track. Even the undoubted

economic problems don't alter the fact that at long last we can look

towards a better future. I don't need to remind you what it was like

just a decade ago. Stormont stumbling from one suspension to

the next, Unionists divided and dispirited, the IRA still aren't an

active, despair was commonplace. But today we have the confidence of

knowing that a majority of Protestants and Catholics alike

support a constitutional position within the United Kingdom. They

know they are better off with Britain. The one party that seems

oblivious to the shifting sands of opinion is Sinn Fein. One of the

most bizarre developments in recent times has been the Sinn Fein called

for a border poll. I know opinion polls are not a perfect gauge of

public opinion but when the last one showed that fewer than 10%

wanted a united Ireland now, republicans really should take the

hint. Republicans asking for a border poll makes turkeys voting

for Christmas look like a carefully considered strategy! As a unionist

sure of the outcome of such a vote, it would be easy to support a

referendum but that wouldn't make it the right thing to do because of

the heart of the St Andrew's Agreement, there was the knowledge

of strength that what was agreed about politics in Northern Ireland

to move away from issues about the existence of the border will stop

what Sinn Fein is doing only drives us back into that sterile and

divisive debate. Republicans needed to except Northern Ireland's

constitutional status within the United Kingdom and lead the play

acting aside. Just as unions have had to accept the present

arrangements at Stormont, because power-sharing is not something the

many Unionists would have placed as their first preference but the

reality is, that government has increased support for the

constitutional status quo in It does not mean that every aspect

of the present arrangement should be sacrosanct. It means that any

new structures have to be able to command support across the

Community. Not just my view, that is accepted by virtually every

Unionist politician. I get frustrated when every time I

suggest changes that could make Stormont are better, nationalist

and republican politicians accuse me of wanting to return to majority

rule, as if they believe and hatching a plan to return to the

1930s. I have been around long enough to know about if any

significant part of the community is disaffected, no-one wins. I,

nationalists who are fearful of change to look freshly at our

political structures and ask themselves, what would best deliver

for the people that we represent? I say to them, even if you do not yet

feel ready to create a voluntary coalition government, surely there

cannot be any reason not to provide for a credible voluntary

opposition? I don't fear opposition, why should I? The DUP has by far

the best ministers and there is no better ideas, from any other party

or member in the Assembly. In truth, I would prefer the Ulster Unionist

Party to work alongside us in harmony and partnership. But I'm

prepared to facilitate them or any other party if they feel they

cannot make a positive contribution in the executive and wish to opt

for opposition. Let's be honest. Being in the executive has not

prevented some of them from positioning themselves in

opposition when it suited. I forced myself to listen to Alasdair

McDonnell's speak to his party faithful and some not so it will.

He attacked the Executive for what it had done, attacked the Executive

for what it had not done, criticised the executive for its

ideas and the executive for not having any ideas. What bemused me

most was not just the nonsense he was muttering, but he appeared to

be completely unaware that his party is in the executive. In the

SDLP's world, they are in the executive when positive

announcements are to be made but they are found head in the

opposition charge when hard decisions have to be taken. Let me

make it clear - as the party that has consistently sought to improve

the Assembly structures, the DUP remains willing to support

additional resources and speaking time for a genuine opposition as a

modest first step towards normalisation of the democratic

structures. Look, covering is never easy. And governing during a

recession is particularly challenging. There are those who

have nothing to contribute other than attacking others and

attributing blame. But criticising the banks, the national government,

the executive or global capitalism does not amount to a strategy for

recovery. Some politicians seem to think that their finest hour and

achievement will be to pass the buck to save their jobs. Rather

than taking the difficult decisions necessary to get the economy moving

again and thereby saving others. This party, sometimes virtually

alone, has taken the difficult decisions while others have

preferred to play politics. Make no mistake, although we shall be

really work with others, Bowers is the only party capable of giving

leadership to Northern Ireland and giving leadership to unionism

through the years that lie ahead. We can only do that if we retain

the confidence of those whom we serve. That means challenging

ourselves again and again because we're not just the largest party

within Unionism, we are the party for Northern Ireland. So, as

Unionists, we cannot afford to push and narrow agenda, we must embrace

the whole committee because it is our responsibility to make Northern

Ireland work. That means winning the battle of ideas and making hard

choices. Not just popular ones. It means being able to compromise when

the need to. In order to reach agreements. And standing firm when

matters of principle are at stake. Above all, it means representing

the whole community and not just one section. In a society that is

as politically divided as our own, that isn't always easy but I would

argue that feeling isn't the real crime when striving for a

worthwhile goal. The real crime isn't having the guts to try in the

first place. I admit, it is still a challenge to reconcile the future

with the past and reconcile one committee with another. Some double

still wonder, after all that has happened, how we can work with Sinn

Fein. The answer is simple. It is really not about us. It is about

making life better for the people that we represent. It isn't always

easy. But it is absolutely the right thing to do. Northern Ireland

is stronger when we work, here at home and abroad. Because working

together means working for every citizen of this province and

getting things done, attracting foreign investment into Northern

Ireland and opening up new markets for the local businesses.

Presenting a united face abroad, whether in America, India or China,

is a sure sign that the political stability exists for investment. It

is a demonstration that as society, we're moving forward. A signal for

the world that politics works and the peace we have achieved is here

to stay. An indication that Northern Ireland is a place in

which international business can safely place its money. And it is

far better to have all the main political parties in Northern

Ireland committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means.

Working together does not mean agreeing on everything, it is about

working through issues and finding the maximum degree of consensus

that is possible. But while politics has made huge strides

forward in Northern Ireland, every so often we are confronted with the

horror of what was once an everyday occurrence. While I welcome calls

for the leadership of Sinn Fein to bring dissident murderers to

justice, there are still some of their members that are stuck in the

past. I see it as real progress but I reject absolutely that there is

any more will difference between those murdered by dissident

republicans and those murdered during the Troubles. There has

never been the slightest justification for 40 years of

terrorism. None of the problems in our society required one single

life to be taken. And we will not permit Sinn Fein to erase those

parts of history that are inconvenient for them. We will not

allow them to engage in revisionism. Declan Curry, under the banner of

reconciliation, recently claimed all the sins in Christendom on

everyone other than republicans. You would have thought the IRA

never existed, his personal and better Unionist hating rant exposed

his intention to use the worthy goal of reconciliation to airbrush

the evil acts of republican terrorists from history books. It

would be a betrayal of the legacy of all he has suffered if history

were to be written to solve the consciences of the perpetrators.

Our goal is to craft a better future for Northern Ireland. But we

will not allow history to be rewritten. I seek true and genuine

reconciliation, but it will not be happening on the basis of spending

a false or sanitised version of the past. We all right at this point by

different routes, but I believe we all have a part to play in building

better relationships. I am increasingly impatient to publish

our good relations strategy, which is ready to go to party leaders. It

does not contain everything that every Labour would want, but it is

a hugely positive step. I take a very dim view of any political

party that 60 used as sensitive issue like this because it will

cause division to garner votes. We have to move forward with the

highest level of agreement possible, nobody gets everything that they

want. But even so, let us be clear about one thing. Ultimately,

reconciliation will not be brought about by the words of any document.

But by changing people's attitudes. And in this current year, I have

sought to reach out to those with whom we would not traditionally

have been associated. It is a slow process but politics is changing

here and the small steps taken today soon become the new norm. Mr

chairman, the electorate is turning its focus increase in May on the

search for solutions to their everyday problems. And the DUP is a

party that can provide the answers and it will do so by seeking

support across the Community. I am realistic enough to know that it

will be a slow process but our direction of travel must be clear.

The critics who doubt that we can achieve this goal are the same

critics who once scoffed at the thought of the DUP becoming the

Northern Ireland's largest party. And the reality is that the far-

left policies of both nationalist parties leave many Catholics are

effectively disenfranchised. As a litre of a party that seeks to

represent the whole community, I am not prepared to write off over 40%

of the population as being out of reach. And I know that building

this new constituency will require as much of a just and from us as it

will require some lip of faith from those whose votes we seek. And the

exact same disconnect also applies to our rapidly emerging communities

from Eastern Europe and further afield. These are people who have

come to Northern Ireland in search of a better life and greater

opportunity. The DUP's policies are perfectly tailored to their hard-

working culture of aspiration for themselves an aspiration for their

families, our aggressive economic policies offer them the right sort

of deal, one that boosts inward investment and creates jobs and is

geared to generating prosperity. We should not be afraid to strive for

any and all these votes. Conference, despite the economic difficulties,

the past 12 months have offered a tantalising glimpse of a better

future for Northern Ireland. Despite what you might see in the

media, it isn't all arguing and Pickering. No-one knows better than

myself just how frustrating operating a multi-party coalition

government can be. And that is the price for an executive that

commands such widespread support. As First Minister, it frustrates me

to hear some commentators and politicians taking every chance

they can get to talk Northern Ireland down. You would think

nothing good had ever happened in the last five years. Or that

devolution had not made any difference. Because that defeatism

is all the people here about the executive and politics, it is

hardly surprising that for many, they are cynical about Stormont.

Let me highlight some of the achievements that have made a real

difference. Because the executive deferred water charges and froze

original writ, we have the lowest household taxes in the entire UK.

And for people over 70 living alone, we have provided a 20% discount on

their regional rates bill. Northern Ireland has the most attractive

business rates in the UK. We have retained industrial de rating and

our extending the small business rate relief scheme to make the most

extensive every -- anywhere in the UK. We have the most generous free

travel policy than anywhere in Great Britain and we delivered at

�225 million rescue package for Presbyterian Mutual savers. We

negotiated a �20 billion for a part-time reserve police officers.

And we ensure an end to the discriminatory 50 - 50 police

recruitment policy. We have ensure that higher education is open to

all by freezing student fees in real terms for Northern Ireland

universities and we will ensure the survival of grammar schools to

retain the adoption of academic selection. My top priority is more

jobs this term. We cannot block worldwide trends but we can make a

difference an executive ministers have mounted the most ambitious

campaigns ever to attract investment from abroad. Of a goal

is to create an economy which will allow our young people to make

their lives here and attract many back who have previously left for

foreign shores. We would be enormously assisted in that task if

we had Corporation Tax setting powers and we have made further

progress on this on Tuesday with the Prime Minister. I believe it

would help to rebalance the economy and reduce our economic reliance on

the Treasury. Remember, before the Troubles began, over 90% of all

expenditure by the Northern Ireland government was meant by money

raised here. That should be the goal again. No longer relying on

the central Exchequer but the engine of economic prosperity for

our own right. Once the existing leavers are limited, we have still

been able to make a difference. Earlier this year, the Assembly

agreed aware ten-year strategy and earlier this month, the Executive

agreed a short-term economic stimulus plan. We have listened to

business and we have sought to respond. We're moving forward on an

agreed basis and pursuing the 83 commitments set out in our

Programme for Government. These targets represent a real and viable

business plan to move Northern Ireland forward. Grow the economy

and achieve the social changes that are necessary to ensure our

community is a single unified Committee that moves from strength

to strength. The targets we set our spread across all departments and

although they are ambitious and will stretch ministers, we are

In spite of the downturn, we're on course to meet our commitment

against the key economic target of supporting the promotion of over

25,000 new jobs. Despite the economic challenges, the Executive

is starting to change the face of the Northern Ireland economy. We

have gone across the globe, bringing back foreign investment

and opening new markets to our local business. None of this would

have been possible without the peace and prosperity that has been

achieved. Today Belfast is gaining an impressive reputation as an IT

hub and key financial trading centre. Belfast is now among the

world's top 10 cities for financial technology investments ahead of

Dublin, Glasgow, Toronto and even Bangalore. Outside London, Belfast

is now the UK's most attractive city for foreign direct investment.

Not only did we attract each be owed to come here to film their

most successful television series ever, we invested in the future by

contributing to the building of a second gun studio and such is a

conference in the sector that we are currently in negotiations to

build a third studio as well. This year, Titanic Belfast opened its

doors. 100 years after the ship's first and final journey. It is rare

visitor attraction that will rival anything in the world and makes

Belfast a must-see tourist destination. In less than six

months, it has already exceeded its annual target. The project was made

possible because the Executive invested �37.5 million in it. This

year we also opened the Giants Causeway visitors' centre where the

Executive invested over �9 million and both facilities are heading

towards � -- 1 million visitors this year and both have over 60% of

visitors coming from outside Northern Ireland. For the first

time in many years because of invective investments, Northern

Ireland hosted the Irish Open golf tournament and brought record

European attendances across the four days of the championship. In

years to come I hope we was the other major golf tournaments come

here and I can guarantee you that we are working very hard to

accomplish that. Northern Ireland also played its part in this year's

truly national events, the Royal Jubilee. The Olympics and the

Paralympics. They all showed that United Kingdom is at its very best.

For many of us, the absolute high point of the year was Her Majesty's

visit to Northern Ireland as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

It was another tangible sign of how things have changed. For the first

time in decades, we were able to invite tens of thousands of people

to Belfast and Enniskillen for a celebration of that in this most

royal occasion. The Queen has been an ever steadying hand at the helm

of British life over six decades. In the best and worst of times, she

has been an inspiring example of Stead assonance, tradition and wise

counsel. On this jubilee year, let this conference sent a message on

behalf of the people upon whose loyalty and support she can always

depend, long may you reign over us! It did not take the Diamond Jubilee

or the Olympics to make us proud of our nation. But there is no doubt

that for many, it was a reminder of what we have to offer. Ours is a

nation that is made up not just of those from England, Scotland, Wales

or Northern Ireland, or those for whom English is the language of

their birth, but for those who have come to live here and to share our

values and ideals. I am proud that Britishness is about diversity and

InterCity. That is why the story of no fire was an inspiration to us

all. Born in Somalia, he moved to the UK when just eight years old.

He ran for Britain and became a national hero overnight, winning

two gold medals in the Olympics. When asked by a journalist whether

he would rather have run for Somalia, he replied, Look mate,

this is my country. His story epitomises the spread of this

nation and just as he has done it, so, too, can any of the new

settlers who have come to these shores to build their lives. Next

year will be another great year when a Londonderry will be the

United Kingdom's City of Culture and Belfast will welcome the world

peace and Fire Games. Next June when Northern Ireland hosts the G 8

some out on behalf of the United Kingdom, we will take our place on

the world stage and we will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to

market the province to an international audience. None of

this would have been remotely possible just a few years ago. None

of this would have happened without the political progress that has

been made. None of that progress would have occurred it republican

paramilitaries and dissidence or Unionist political dissidents had

got their way. Northern Ireland is being put on the international map,

ensuring just as we have had the confidence to take Northern Ireland

forward, others have shown confidence in us by bringing the

most significant major events here. I believe we have in this

generation, made a really positive difference and when they gather

again in 12 months, will be facing into a fresh electoral challenge

and we are ready to meet it. Let us not squander the opportunity that

is before us, to reshape politics in this province for future

generations. Let us rise to the challenge, as did our forefathers

and let us leave the legacy of Northern Ireland as an assured

society at the heart of a permanently United Kingdom. Someday,

long after this generation of Unionists has passed, let it be

said that when our time came, we, too, give or best. Let giving our

best be the goal that motivates us in all that we do in the months

that lie ahead. It was H G Wells he said, the past is but the beginning

of a beginning and all that is and has been his but the twilight of

the Don. We have the opportunity to make tomorrow a better day. In so

doing, it must be a better day for everyone. That is the task that

faces us. Let us never lose sight but the people democratically

conferred upon his party, the honour and responsibility to

provide leadership to move Northern Ireland forward. Our task is to

harness and direct the potential, the promise, the group is a bar

people and to leave Northern Ireland into a future based on our

vision of a peaceful, stable, united and shared community. May

God grant us strength and wisdom and give us favour with the people

to empower us to bring about that better day.

Peter Robinson accepting the applause of his party colleagues

their act the La Mon Hotel. Arlene Foster, Sammy Wilson and shaking

his hand. He spoke for 42 minutes. We had been told he would speak for

25 or 30 minutes. There were periods of enthusiastic applause.

In many senses, a classic DUP speech, wasn't it? It was. I kept

waiting on the edge of my seat, perhaps there would be some policy

announcements but there was not. We are only a year or so in two the

current mandate, but it was a speech crime rate for the party

faithful rather than for a wider audience, which seems a bit odd to

me. To reassure them that the union is safe in the DUP's hands, but

they have a vision and also to some extent, it was a bit of a lecture

about the trials and tribulations of running a multi-party Executive

and a difficult that is. There are always contradictions in a speech

like this. He started off criticising other parties for

criticising partners in government but he didn't himself resist the

temptation to have a pop at Alastair Macdonald and others in

the Executive. A Gerry Adams, who he described as a zombie who

travelled the globe articulating his cause. He also was firm in his

rejection of recent speech by that Sinn Fein chairman. At the same

time, there was talk of a shared society. Quite a difficult trick to

pull off? I'm not sure he did put off because he cannot have his cake

and eat it. He cannot say on the one hand, I can stand here as First

Minister and criticise my other Executive members, but for them to

criticise him seems to be rather out of bounds. He cannot do that

but what I think he was trying to do was to encourage the audience

and I think it was primarily a party audience he was addressing.

Which is what a party conference is all about. That is true but it is

also an opportunity for party leaders, whoever they may be, to

reach out and say, this is a party proposing to do these things for

the future. But it was a policy light speech, there was no beef in

it. Let us hear the thoughts of our political editor, Mark Devenport.

You listened to the speech. Rick Wilford said it was policy light,

you may have a few guests were few who will have a view as well. Were

you surprised anything he had to say? Not particularly surprising,

it was a positive speech but that reflects the dominant position of

the DUP in local politics at the moment. I have with me now Diane

Dodds and Jeffrey Donaldson. Putting the by election to one side,

you will be one of the first politicians to face the electorate,

how would you sum up the mood of the party at the moment? The mood

at the moment is buoyant, confident, we are up for the challenges that

are facing Northern Ireland and I think that was the drive of the

speech. It was a challenge about our economy, about improving the

everyday lives of our constituents and of taking Northern Ireland for

it. Do you think you have enough support out there that you could

run together with a running mate in the Euro elections? But well before

the party to decide at a later stage but the party is building on

its support. This conference is growing every year and we are

confident about the future, we want the people of Northern Ireland to

be confident about the future and I think this conference and this

speech has demonstrated that. aspects of the speech they're still

pushing the central direction, supporting the union in both the

Protestant and Catholic community. He reached -- hinted at reaching

out to both communities. We are proud of our unionism and our

Britishness and we are confident and that and I think it comes

across very clearly in Peter's speech but we also recognise that

right across the Community more and more people are becoming

comfortable with their Britishness. This year has been a wonderful year

with the Royal Jubilee and the Queen's visit and the Olympics,

giving people a real sense of pride in their identity and I think that

is something the DUP is recognising and we are reaching out. I see it

in my own constituency, more and more people from the Catholic

community embracing unionism. hinted that the DUP will be

prepared to see some changes at Stormont, to make room for an

opposition of some kind - how soon do you think as likely to come?

That could happen as soon as others wanted to. We are up for it and we

have made it clear that we want to normalise politics in Northern

Ireland. We will continue to provide good government but if

there are people who feel they themselves can be part of the

government, that they cannot make a positive contribution, led the

opposition is the place for them. Back to the studio now.

Peter Robinson talked about Northern Ireland being 90% self

financing in the future? He drew a comparison between the 90% of

dependency and he wants to see a future where the land becomes self

reliant but actually, that is a huge ambition. Even if it was to

happen, it is not going to happen in the foreseeable future but

nevertheless it signals an aspiration and ambition, I think he

was also concerned to try and demonstrate that this is a cultural