Devolution has strengthened Northern Ireland¿s future and is bolstering the Union, the DUP said today.
The party¿s European election candidate Diane Dodds appealed for supporters to back her party on June 4th to prevent Sinn Fein topping the poll.
And in a reference to Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) candidate Jim Allister, she warned against splitting the unionist vote.
Mrs Dodds, a Belfast councillor and wife of DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, launched her party¿s manifesto in the Belvoir area of the city.
¿Devolution is good for unionism and good for Northern Ireland. By standing and fighting our ground in Government unionists are winning,¿ she said.
¿Our strategy is working but on next Thursday it is vital that unionism keeps on winning.
¿Everyone knows only the DUP has the strength of character and the rugged determination to see off the electoral challenge posed by Sinn Fein.
¿On every previous occasion the DUP has topped the poll for unionism and a second unionist candidate has been elected with our second preference votes.
¿This time some may be tempted to stay at home and not vote, but this could prove disastrous to the cause of unionism.¿
She said a split in the unionist vote could see Sinn Fein¿s Bairbre de Brun top the poll ¿ the first time a nationalist would have emerged as the lead candidate in a Northern Ireland election.
Mrs Dodds said: ¿Just imagine what message that would send out to the world.
¿After all the progress that has been made in recent years it would be a disaster for unionism.¿
TUV leader Jim Allister won a seat in the last European election as a DUP candidate but broke away from the party over its decision to share power with Sinn Fein.
Mrs Dodds said: ¿Sinn Fein¿s success is dependent on vote splitting by a candidate that wants to destroy devolution.
¿Let¿s not play into their hands.¿
She told an audience in Belvoir community centre: ¿The DUP is committed to empowering communities such as those who live here and I am determined to assist local communities through a fairer level of funding from Europe.¿
She added: ¿Our party has a proud record of service and delivery in Europe and I look forward to reclaiming and building on Dr Paisley¿s legacy of 25 years of service and real achievement representing Ulster in Europe.¿
PA