THE CONSERVATIVE manifesto fails to mention the government's secret talks with the IRA, the ceasefire, its subsequent breakdown, the Downing Street Declaration, Anglo Irish relations or agreements in its policy for Northern Ireland, writes Rachel Borrill. Instead in a four paragraph statement, the Tories pledge to continue to "cherish" Northern Ireland but state there will be no change to the six counties' constitutional position without the consent of the people.
Under a Conservative government direct rule could also end if agreement between all the parties could be reached. "While we cherish the Union and Northern Ireland's place within it, we recognise that there exist within the Province special circumstances which require further action to be taken," the manifesto section on Northern Ireland reads. "After a quarter of a century we wish to see the unique and originally temporary system of direct rule ended and a successful restoration of local accountable democracy achieved. We want to see this brought about in a form which carries the broadest agreement possible. And we want to see the rights, traditions and interests of all parts of the community recognised within such agreement.
"We will accordingly continue to pursue a policy of dialogue and negotiation with and between the democratic Northern Ireland parties," the manifesto says. "We will continue to underpin such negotiations with the guarantee that the constitutional position of Northern Ireland cannot and will not be changed without the broad consent of the people of Northern Ireland."