Young Democrats choose to go down the old ways of hardline unionism

They don't drink or smoke. They are for capital punishment and against pre-marital sex

They don't drink or smoke. They are for capital punishment and against pre-marital sex. They believe the new Sinn Fein ministers should be behind bars, not in government. And they hope the power-sharing Executive falls next week.

Andrew McCreery, Alan Carson and Alison Pickering are members of the DUP's youth wing, the Young Democrats. They are all Free Presbyterians, becoming born-again at the ages of six, seven and 16 respectively.

"But we are not a bunch of sour-pusses," says Alan. "We love a bit of craic. You should see us 10-pin bowling!"

The Young Democrats are a rapidly expanding force. They are holding their first public annual conference today. Membership has grown from 50 to 500 in 18 months.

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"The Young Unionists had only 40 at their annual conference. We have three times that number in our Fermanagh branch alone," says Alan. When so many unionist leaders are embracing compromise, why is the younger generation heading in the opposite direction?

The Young Democrats think the DUP's "mixture of idealism and pragmatism" is the reason.

"We are the unionist party which has stuck to our principles," says Andrew. "Young people value integrity. The Belfast Agreement has caused much uncertainty. Ian Paisley, unlike David Trimble, is always consistent."

Alison attributes the success to the DUP having the best brains in unionism. "Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds are clearly the two most able ministers in the Executive. We don't just win the argument emotionally, we win it logically too. Young people respect intellect."

Alan (25) works for a drugs company. He is a member of Portadown Orange Lodge but works with Catholics from the Garvaghy Road. "They aren't just colleagues, they are friends. We have great debates."

He grew up on in Tullyvallen, south Armagh. "When I was a baby the IRA opened fire on our house. My father was always telling us to stay away from the window. You lived in constant fear."

When he was 12 he was caught in an IRA ambush in which three RUC officers were badly injured. "I saw blood streaming out of them and their faces shattered with glass. That was it. My parents decided to move to Portadown. It was the happiest day of my life."

Andrew (21) is the assistant manager of a clothing company. Much of his spare time is spent on religious activities. He met his girlfriend while in Portugal with the church. Her father is a missionary. He is from the Moy, just outside Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

"Thirteen republicans carrying out attacks were shot by the British army in my area in five years. I used to hear the gunfire at night. Those soldiers were doing the same job as their counterparts in the Falklands and Gulf wars - stopping a tyrannical minority imposing their will on the majority."

A childhood illness prevented him considering a military career. He has thrown himself into politics with enthusiasm. He believes the security situation has deteriorated during the peace process. "There used to be continual army and police checkpoints outside our house but they're gone now."

Alison (22) is a Queen's University law graduate. She starts work next week with the victims' group FAIR, Families Acting for Innocent Relatives. She lives outside Portadown.

She describes herself as very career-minded and a staunch supporter of equal rights for men and women. She is annoyed by attempts to portray her party as Neanderthal. "The leadership has been very encouraging of myself and other young women."

Her role model is Assembly member Ms Iris Robinson. The DUP has sent Alison on a political training programme to Washington. She would love to stand for her local council and eventually the Assembly.

Alan is equally ambitious. The pair adore Parliament Buildings, Stormont, with its grand marble corridors and sense of history.

Both are aware that if the Executive falls next week, the Assembly could be suspended too. They know the reintroduction of direct rule from Westminster could deny their generation any real political power. But they think it a price worth paying.