UUP leadership hopefuls set out stalls to News Letter
TOM ELLIOTT and BASIL McCREA answer a series of set News Letter questions about what the electorate can expect if they emerge as the new UUP leader in the Waterfront Hall vote.
1) What would be the key difference which would mark your leadership from that of previous UUP leaders?
TOM ELLIOTT: I want to ensure that grassroots members of the Ulster Unionist Party are kept aware of party policy and informed how decision-making is proceeding. As leader I intend to keep in touch with the constituencies and ensure that there is a hands-on approach by the effective team I intend to establish. My concentration will be on party development to ensure electoral recovery and structured community planning that will provide political confidence for the electorate.
BASIL McCREA: Leadership contests do not take place in a vacuum. Our leaders in the past had very different challenges to address. Each leader was (in the opinion of the membership) the best person for the job at the time, but times change. The membership of the UUP must decide which candidate will resonate with the electorate and who will best articulate our message to the media. Communication skills will be crucial.
2) Can the UUP become the largest unionist party within five years? Ten years?
BASIL McCREA: There is a mood for change within the electorate. They are disillusioned with a political process that delivers little. They know that the coming years will be difficult. They want a party that can provide hope for the future – peace, jobs and security. The conditions for change exist now and if the UUP re-energised under a new leader can capture the mood of the electorate, we will not have to wait five years to become the largest party.
TOM ELLIOTT: It is, of course, difficult to overturn such an electoral difference in a short period. However, when the UUP put together strong policy proposals and the broad unionist electorate is united in its approach then the situation could move much quicker than many would expect. Currently, many within the unionist electorate are reluctantly voting for other parties or not voting at all as they don't see the alternative of voting for us as positive. However, I believe they will be keen to vote for the UUP when they experience the cohesive and progressive approach that the UUP will be pursuing under my leadership.
3) Would you ever consider a pact or electoral arrangement with another party?
TOM ELLIOTT: I am convinced that the electorate wants us to contest elections as the Ulster Unionist Party. If you're asking me if I will work to cooperate closely with the present government, then the answer is obvious – I have already made tentative arrangements to ensure that is done in a constructive, planned and ongoing manner. As at present, I am happy to explore a working relationship with other parties on specific issues if that will benefit all the people in Northern Ireland, but I will ensure that we will not be pushed over by nationalists, republicans or other self-interested and compromised unionists.
BASIL McCREA: Electoral pacts play havoc with political parties. They confuse the electorate, they create huge internal difficulties and they prevent parties from highlighting the shortcomings of political opponents. The UUP must now stand on its own two feet, it must offer its own policies, select its own candidates and offer its own vision for the future. Above all, it must convince the electorate that it is not only significantly different from its opponents, but also worth voting for.
4) What current UUP policies would you change?
BASIL McCREA: The electorate have grown tired of tit-for-tat politics. Whilst it is understandable that a party will wish to exploit the weakness in other political parties' arguments, this must be done in a constructive and positive manner. The challenges facing Northern Ireland are such that we need a genuine coalition to enable the undoubtedly difficult decisions to be taken. Under my leadership, the UUP will be a positive, pluralist and progressive party with a "can do" attitude and a determination to make a difference.
TOM ELLIOTT: Most important is to send a clear message to all areas of government and that we work to well thought out and agreed five-year plans. Currently we are working too much to ad hoc ideas. For example, we need to devise a strong, coherent education policy for both transfer and transition between schools and also a more workable province-wide arrangement for education administration to replace the current proposals for the Educational Skills Authority (ESA).
5) Which of your own policies would you seek to implement as leader?
TOM ELLIOTT: I want to see a structured review of overall governance in Northern Ireland. This would include proposals for reduction of executive departments, MLAs, quangos and non-departmental public bodies, councils and councillors and ensure some sensible delegation of responsibility to local government – to deliver local services locally and effectively.
BASIL McCREA: The UUP published one of the best manifestos for the last election but this cut little ice with the electorate. The electorate voted on different issues. We must promote policies that the electorate think are relevant, easy to understand and achievable. The UUP should make education its number one priority. Caitriona Ruane is doing untold damage to our education system and our political process. The four-party group has demonstrated that an agreed way forward is possible but we need a change of minister.
6) Do you see the UUP's battle with the DUP and TUV or with Sinn Fein and the SDLP?
BASIL McCREA: The party has lost 100,000 votes in little over 10 years. The challenge for the party is to attract votes from those who reluctantly vote for other parties or not all. The electoral battle is with the DUP, though the challenge from an Alliance Party buoyed by the result in East Belfast should not be underestimated. Perhaps the biggest long-term risk comes from the increasing number of people who
don't vote at all.
TOM ELLIOTT: My party has adhered through thick and thin to the principle that it wants to create a settled community where everyone has the opportunity to play a constructive role. I have always supported that concept, even when I have had differences with the methodology. My battle will be to do what is right for everyone so that they will see the benefit and opportunity derived from voting UUP.
7) Could you accept a Sinn Fein first minister?
TOM ELLIOTT: It was selfish and perverse negotiating by the DUP at St Andrews that gifted Sinn Fein with the opportunity to be first minister. The previous arrangements had a built-in safeguard that was removed. I am already negotiating with the UK government to change this legislation back to what was put to the people in the original agreement and was passed by referendum. It would not be appropriate to make any further comment prior to completion of negotiations with the government.
BASIL McCREA: The prospect of Sinn Fein being first minister fills many people with horror. It is unlikely to happen but if it did I would stay at the assembly and fight for my electorate. The office of the first minister is a joint office where neither minister can do anything without the agreement of the other. The alternative would collapse the assembly, give the republicans a huge propaganda victory and lead to a constitutional crisis. Democracy offers the best prospect of peaceful coexistence.
8) What would you propose to do if you lost?
BASIL McCREA: Throughout the campaign, I have been encouraged by the positive reaction to many of my ideas. I believe firmly in the need for change. I will continue to make the case for a positive, pluralist and progressive stance. I will assist where best I can in revitalising the electorate and encouraging people to become actively involved in politics. The biggest challenge to democracy is apathy and I hope to do something to counter it.
TOM ELLIOTT: I have always been a loyal Ulster Unionist and it is my full intention to remain so; to ensure that the party is rejuvenated and to build a strong electoral base. However, I am not thinking about losing.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
