Three unionist MPs join Paisley in No-vote rally

Three Ulster Unionist MPs have launched a joint campaign with the DUP and the UK Unionist Party for a No vote in the forthcoming…

Three Ulster Unionist MPs have launched a joint campaign with the DUP and the UK Unionist Party for a No vote in the forthcoming referendum on the Belfast Agreement.The three, Mr William Thompson, Mr William Ross and Mr Roy Beggs, shared a platform in a packed Ulster Hall in Belfast last night with Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Bob McCartney.To roars of applause from the audience of some 1,500, Mr Beggs said the campaign also had the backing of three other Ulster Unionist MPs. "There are only three here tonight, but there are three others (MPs) equally committed," Mr Beggs said. The agreement would not bring peace but a united Ireland, he said.Six MPs, including the DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, unfurled a campaign banner featuring the slogan "Have you got a heart for Ulster?" and people were urged to pay £5 for a badge - a heart-shaped Union flag. An "information hotline" on the campaign was also launched.Mr Cedric Wilson of the UK Unionist Party, who is organising the joint campaign, said it was planned to take a roadshow across the North.The rally began with a prayer "for the land we love so well", and had all the emotion of a fundamentalist prayer meeting.Mr William Ross urged those present to take an active part in the No campaign. "Go out and be an evangelist for Ulster," he said.The crowd responded with loud applause, and standing ovations for each speaker. Union flags were waved and feet stamped on the floor as speakers reminded them that nine out of 13 unionist MPs at Westminster were opposed to the agreement.Mr William Ross said he believed that all those in the unionist community who read and understood the document would vote No. "I've been sitting on the same patch of land for over 250 years and I'm not intending to leave it," he said, to cheers and applause.When Mr Roy Beggs predicted that the agreement would lead to places in government for Sinn Fein leaders Mr Gerry Adams and Mr Martin McGuinness, there were shouts of "Never, Never" from the floor.The UK Unionist leader, Mr Bob McCartney, said his faith in "pro-Union unity" had been restored on Wednesday when six Ulster Unionist MPs stood "shoulder to shoulder" with him and DUP members in the House of Commons. He accused the media of "buying into the false sentiment of peace at any price".Mr William Thompson said that once people read the details of the agreement and saw "how green it is", he was sure they would vote No.The strongest reaction was reserved for Mr Peter Robinson, who shouted a series of questions beginning with "Does this agreement strengthen the Union?" With rising emotion, the crowd shouted No to each question."The message from the Ulster Hall tonight is - British we are, and British we will stay," Mr Robinson shouted with fist clenchedin the air. After initial speeches from each of the MPs, journalists were asked to leave.