First Minister and DUP Leader Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MP has outlined the DUP’s approach to “the most open General election contest in a generation." Commenting from Westminster Mr Robinson said,
“This election presents the Northern Ireland electorate with the greatest opportunity in a generation. Every vote in the House of Commons will count. Therefore we need to send MPs to Westminster who will always vote in the interests of Northern Ireland.
It is an open contest with the polls indicating that neither Labour nor the Conservatives will command a working majority. I will be urging the electorate to seize the moment and ensure that Northern Ireland returns Democratic Unionist MPs who will vote on every decision in the best interests of Northern Ireland.
I will be taking a positive message to the doorsteps and asking the people to vote DUP to keep Northern Ireland moving forward. Whilst other parties are divided and visionless the DUP is offering the electorate a strategy to strengthen Northern Ireland and unionism.
Sinn Fein MPs wont use their votes in the House of Commons for their constituents whilst the SDLP aligns itself with the Labour whips. UCUNF candidates are committed to vote with the Conservative party even though that could mean voting for double digit cuts in the Northern Ireland budget. Only the DUP will always do what is in the best interests of Ulster.
As can be witnessed in both Fermanagh & South Tyrone and South Belfast, even though it is in unionism’s interests to have unity candidates the UUP is helpless because their Conservative masters will not agree to single candidates. Such a selfish approach is not good for Northern Ireland in this election. There are fourteen days until close of nominations and I trust the UUP will not allow their Tory paymasters to destroy this once in a generation opportunity.
I am looking forward to the election and unlike other Parties I can assure the electorate that on every vote in the next House of Commons the DUP’s MPs will take a strong and united stand for Northern Ireland.”