23/10/2011 Ulster Unionist Party Conference

Beginning and welcome to the conference. The austere Unionists

have gathered this weekend in Armagh. Emmitt the discussion of

rebuilding, our political cross but none has been looking at an idea

that seems to have had hope and despair for the Ulster Unionists

almost indecent -- equal measure in recent years. It is the Ulster

Unionist Party Conference. Where is the Crown? This is as far as we

could come. The Secretary of State showed up even though he was trying

to play down his presence. I wanted to have a word with Tom and his

colleagues. Andrew farming is in discussions between the two parties.

What is actually happening? That is a question for the party chairman.

David Cameron and die a quite clear that we would like to bring

Northern Ireland into the mainstream of politics. We have

been quite clear about that. How we go about that is subject to

discussion, but I have responsibilities which don't

include running the Conservative Party. It wasn't quite the heady

days of of before, but Owen Paterson got a warm welcome. Who

better to ask what was going on than this man was not why is he

here? His presence today will keep alive the speculation that there

are those who still want a formal links between the two parties.

have always felt it was sensible. We are a Unionist party and

therefore why would we wish to cut ourselves off from national

politics? In the House of Lords, it is not the front line, but whenever

it comes to a vote, it is how many people you can get into the lobby.

The Conservatives in House of Lords are looking for support and they

take their whip and I do support them. I know I have saved them at

least twice personally, so in -- I think it makes sense. But mention

of the Tory link still causes nervousness. I believe there should

be some sort of co-operation with the Tories. I never was a great fan

in the form that we have previously, but there has to be understanding

and I think we could work at that. Way you're a fan of the Tory link?

No, I was concerned about it. were you were found? They cannot

stay where they are. They have got to give people a reason to vote for

them again. But how do they do it? That is what a sizable number of

delegates packed into this room want to know. They discussed the

question of going into opposition and repositioning the party on the

centre right. It is the use for thing that people like us come to

rooms like this and hold up politics in the open. -- used for

failing. We do it in the light. We do it where it can be seen. And we

do get good general instinct of what that party really years -- it

would we get good general instinct of what this party really is? We

need to set out a vision. Where are we going? What is the future? I

think the opposition will be was the pivot. A member of the audience

was concerned that the media would misinterpreted it as a split.

People don't go out and splashed out across the headline. I accept

your concerns but to an extent it is a risk that goes with the

territory. Perhaps it was a debate which should have been held on the

main stage, maybe next time. will hear from the party leader Tom

Eliot in a moment. First, a flavour of one of the platform speeches. It

contained criticism of both Westminsters attempt to mark the

troubles, and a complaint about senior party figures attending the

funeral mass of Ronan Kerr. David Campbell told the conference that

Northern Ireland and its place in the United Kingdom could not exist

without the efforts and sacrifices of his party. It is increasingly

important that we all act to ensure that no Unionist is allowed to

forget those sacrifices, even if many Unionist voters have

temporarily forgotten to vote for us. I say this because they have

been to events recently that have caused me much anger and annoyance.

Firstly, as an Ulster Unionist Party member and then orange ran

for over 30 years, are as a shame to that they tried to discipline

Our Leader and allow ministers because they had paid their

respects on behalf of his party to a young police officer murdered by

They exhibited a greater Christian charity Band lodge members can ever

hope to. But the Unionist leaders before them... I welcome the

dismissal of this issue by county lodges, but this should never have

been an issue in the first place, and that Belfast last -- Lodge has

brought Parrott institution into serious disrepute. Secondly, in

three weeks' time, 14th November will mark 30 years since a member

of parliament for South Belfast, the Reverend Robert Bradford was

brutally murdered two serving his constituents. Last week in

Parliament, a plaque to his memory was unveiled in the Chamber of the

House of Commons. Ladies and gentlemen, not one member of this

party, the Reverend Bradford's party, was invited to attend. I

discovered this upgrade just over said the day before. From A the P M

P, who showed me his invitation, assuming I would be present -- one

of the DUP's MPs. To add insult injury, on contacting the Speaker's

office in Parliament, I was told that they understood that the

Reverend Bradford was one of the DUP MPs. We know which parties took

the casualties during the Troubles. We know which party's members

formed the backbone of our security services.I both know which Unionist

Party took all the risks for peace. We cannot allow this party's

sacrifices to be airbrushed from history. David Campbell concluded

his speech by saying it was time for an end to what he called the

kicking of his party and its representatives. He said he wants

to see his achievements applauded and that recovery starts now. Tom

Elliott, how do you think the I am pleased there has been such a

good atmosphere at the conference. It shows you the enthusiasm of the

party to move for work and deliver things for the people of Northern

Ireland. And it is not just about our party, it is about the people

of Northern Ireland. What were the results of the

review? There was not a review as such. We

are working with constituency associations are hoping to manage

them better and build a rapport. It is all about better management of

the party. If we want to achieve results we need a better management

process. Is that what went wrong last time?

There are a number of things you could point the finger that. But I

was only a few months in office. I wanted to build a party that will

deliver for the people and I must say that it is amazing the number

of people now who are voting. Much less than a number of years ago. In

the Westminster elections for the first time ever the Northern

Ireland vote was a law than the rest of the United Kingdom. That is

depressing. There is a combination. Some people voting for other

parties and some people staying at home. But all parties will accept,

looking at the figures in detail, the figures are going down. We need

to make politics and politicians are relevant to the people.

David Campbell talked about what sounded like electoral pacts. Is

that the way forward? We are putting forward policies and

proposals and will hopefully implement them on behalf of the

Ulster Unionist Party. What I am saying now is that it is between

the party and the people. You said you would like to see

Minister these are reduced from 12 to eight. Which of four would go?

I said that now is an opportunity to reduce the burden on the

taxpayer of knob of Ireland. So, at least eight. -- Northern Ireland.

But if we do not take that opportunity now we cannot leave it

until the future. Each department seems to have a

distinct job to do. How would you amalgamate? Would departments

disappear? I am just interested in how that would work.

It would happen automatically if the number of constituencies are

reduced along with Westminster boundaries. Many departments were

divided some years ago. I am not claiming these are hard and fast

but you can look at D T L -- look at it in detail. There are a number

of options that can be fairly worked out if you accept the

principle. Talking about the image of the

party - it is difficult to assess if you are left or right wing.

Where do you stand, what is your distinctive of vision for the

future in terms of the left - right divide, or the centre ground in

politics? We have always been that right of

centre and as far as I N unconcerned that is not changing.

But we want to make sure that the population can live and work

together, not apart. That is a crucial issue. We want to see a

much better society. Whether that is through education, work,

employment, cultural aspects. But we must respect each other and that

is where there is often a failure. I have talked about trust have been

lacking. There has not been enough moves towards that building of

trust. You brought the Secretary of State

of to the platform. Why? He was in armour for a number of

engagements. -- Armagh. There is no problem with our party been close

friends with the Conservatives. We are pro-union and make no bones

about that. If there is a centre- right party in Westminster we can

work with, why not? Does it not send out a mixed

message? You do not want an electoral pact but at the same time

you are happy to bring a Conservative to the platform and

have him by your side at the annual conference.

Let's not forget it was the Secretary of State for Northern

Ireland. He works with all parties. He is no stranger to meeting with

the SDLP, D u p, Sinn Fein, or the Ulster Unionist Party. We were more

than happy that he said a few words. Water charges, a future policy?

There are a number of issues that need to be looked at particularly

around the raising of finance and the overall financial position of

Northern Ireland. These issues must be debated and discussed but in

before coming years you will see the Ulster Unionist Party produce a

number of ideas. I am not saying that they will be water charges but

a number of innovative ideas will come through.

But you will not rule it out? I am not ruling anything in or out.

Community halls, churches, farmers, are already plain water charges.

The only people not paying is the domestic household or, al though

they pay through the rating system. Fuel poverty is the big concern

approaching the winter of many. Are you in support of a winter fuel

payment? We need to ensue are that people

can heat and eat. Many people will not be able to.

Independent research suggests there are more people dying in the United

Kingdom from cold and the home than in the road accidents.

I have talked to a number of people around that issue and the Ulster

Unionist Party will certainly do anything we can to help the

vulnerable in this society live a reasonably comfortable life, we

will certainly help in that respect. Thank you very much for joining us,

Tom Eliot. Another big issue is the precarious state of the local

economy. High on the agenda at this conference. Mike Nesbitt told

delegates about the importance of rebalancing the economy but

questioned whether Northern Ireland is open for business. He set out

his own vision for the future. People accuse us of not having a

strategy, vision, policy for the future. I will give you mind. As we

look to our second century here is an economic vision. We become net

contributors to her Majesty's Treasury. We go hour private sector

so that it is so big, powerful, profitable, that we no longer need

the block grant. It is a big ask, aspirational, but why not go for

it? Why not? Net contributors. If you want to CQ of the union that is

a good way to start. If you want to secured the union.

I am joined now by Our Political Editor.

In terms of recovery things may be a little too optimistic. The party

are beginning to talk about some individual policies - corporation

tax, a have passenger duty, policies in relation to social

matters. But in terms of the general direction there are still

unanswered questions. In particular the party's relationship with the

Conservatives. That is key. It confuses the MH

having the Secretary of State here. -- confuses the image.

Yes we were told that that force was dead and obviously the

electoral experiment was a failure. But at the same time they still

maintain a relationship. That still makes them vulnerable to charges

from the other parties at Stormont that they are somehow culpable for

coalition cuts. So they must decide, are they for it, or leaving the

partnership completely behind? We could not leave you without a

bit of humour. The best one-liner came from the self- deprecating

Robins one. Thank you very much. I have been