EUROPEAN ELECTION:DUP LEADER Peter Robinson has launched his party's European manifesto, claiming next week's election is "a test of Northern Ireland's constitutional position".
In the programme he also branded the DUP as the strongest voice for the union.
Speaking in Belvoir, south Belfast, Mr Robinson introduced a manifesto which details mostly local policies along with policy statements on the European Union.
These include opposition to the Lisbon Treaty and demands for a British referendum on it, the “lifting of the burden on small business” and proposals on the Common Fisheries Policy.
The document outlines the DUP’s defence of devolution and portrays Northern Ireland and unionism as being in a much healthier state than a decade ago.
Without referring to unionist opponents directly or naming them, the party castigates the leadership of the Ulster Unionists, blaming them for leaving unionism “demoralised, divided and in decline”.
It also accuses Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister of opposing the Stormont institutions, preferring direct rule from London, which “would leave unionism isolated and with no hope for the future”.
Mr Robinson again stressed the importance of DUP candidate Diane Dodds’s topping the poll and of unionist voters continuing to vote for other unionists to ensure two of Northern Ireland’s three seats go to unionists.
He denied there was inconsistency in accepting that DUP voters could give a preference vote to Mr Allister. “The present form of devolution is far from perfect but it is immeasurably better than giving away responsibility for our own affairs.”
The electorate should have the twin aims of topping the poll and returning two unionist MEPs, he said. “Unionist turnout and transfers are, therefore, essential.”
Mrs Dodds said she was “unashamedly against the European federalist project” and would fight “any further erosion of national sovereignty”.
Turning to Sinn Féin, Mrs Dodds added: “Gone are the days of talking about a united Ireland. Even republicans blush at the notion of unity in 2016.”