Posts tagged ‘2010 manifestos’
2010 manifestos:Constitutional
Friday, May 14th, 2010Perhaps the least-known impact on the province will come through constitutional change. A reformed House of Lords and changes in the voting system would both have an effect on the local electorate. Committing to an end in double jobbing, each successful DUP candidate will step down from the Assembly “within weeks”, except Peter Robinson. Ministers and Whitehall departments should be cut by a third, the party says. Alliance sits very much in the Liberal Democrat camp, supporting the alternative vote system, a written constitution and votes for 16 year-olds. A hung parliament should...[full story]
2010 manifestos:International
Friday, May 14th, 2010The UK enters this campaign as part of an increasingly integrated Europe, thanks to the Lisbon Treaty, but with a cooler relationship with America under Obama. As the world emerges from recession, developing economies are catching up with the West. These are all important trends to watch but yet for many voters, foreign policy equals Afghanistan. Defence is the DUP’s main focus with calls for proper equipment, pay and accommodation. A “continual power-grab” from the EU is opposed and Northern Ireland could help deepen UK links with India. Irish neutrality is key for Sinn Féin....[full story]
2010 manifestos:North/South
Friday, May 14th, 2010A preserve of the two nationalist parties, the idea of a united Ireland is their bed-rock. Northern Ireland representation in the Oireachtas is important for both Sinn Feí n and the SDLP. Sinn Feín wants the British Government to become “persuaders for Irish unity.” A referendum on Irish unity would be held simultaneously in the North and South and the party would ‘engage’ with unionists about the type of united Ireland they would want to live in. While Sinn Feín already has TDs and a senator, they call for “six county representation in the Oireachtas.” An expansion...[full story]
2010 manifestos:Culture
Friday, May 14th, 2010Broadcasting remains a reserved matter, so any change over the water directly impacts on Northern Ireland. The crux of the culture remit is devolved to Northern Ireland but events such as the Olympics and Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games will have a local effect on sport. The DUP remains “unconvinced” on devolving broadcasting powers to Stormont and so would oppose any such move. The TV licence, the party says, should be cut from £142.50 to £50, with the remaining funding for the BBC coming through government grants. The SDLP commits to giving free TV licences to all pensioners while...[full story]
2010 manifestos:Energy
Friday, May 14th, 2010Supplying and securing energy is a much higher priority for parties in 2010 than in 2005. Energy is mostly devolved but heavily influenced by external factors. Waste-to-energy generation, using the discards of agriculture and food processing, is highlighted by the DUP. Wind, tidal and geothermal sources are also favoured. The party backs a 40 per cent renewable energy target but this should not “significantly increase” electricity bills. Stronger interconnection is supported, alongside extending the gas network. Mechanical-biological waste treatment and anaerobic digestion with...[full story]
2010 manifestos:Housing
Friday, May 14th, 2010Worryingly for Housing Executive staff, the DUP plans for housing include “breaking up” the executive into a ‘true’ strategic housing authority with responsibility for landlord and development functions. This, the party says, would allow an estimated £3 million of assets held by the Housing Executive to be used to pay for new-builds and the maintenance programme. The common housing selection scheme would also come under the spotlight as would the VAT level on repairs and maintenance of properties, which the party proposes to reduce. To counter fuel poverty, a boiler scrappage...[full story]
2010 manifestos:Transport directions
Friday, May 14th, 2010Fuel duty and infrastructure top parties’ priorities. Greener travel is lower down the list. Transport policy can be neatly directed into two routes. Roads, railways and ports are devolved to Northern Ireland, while air and sea travel go to Westminster, which also sets the prices at the pumps. DUP The DUP praises community transport for how it helps older people in isolated rural areas and calls for more investment. Programmes to keep up the skills and confidence of older drivers are promoted. Its manifesto also calls for the Treasury to be flexible on fuel duty when costs are particularly...[full story]
2010 manifestos:Going green
Friday, May 14th, 2010Party priorities for climate change, farming and conservation. Most environmental matters are devolved but some national policies will impact on Northern Ireland, especially on climate change. DUP An increase in allotments in urban areas would please the party. They state that the province must make a contribution to upholding international agreements to cut carbon emissions. The DUP also supports efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the government estate, which currently stands at 25 per cent of the province’s total energy use. It backs further research to develop farming techniques...[full story]
2010 manifestos:Law & order
Friday, May 14th, 2010As the parties set out their priorities for policing and justice locally, immigration is the national focus. Despite justice being the most recently devolved area to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Parliament will retain power over politically and legally sensitive areas such as national security and the work of the UK Border Agency. DUP Improving the risk management of sex offenders, tackling domestic abuse, knife crime, and alcohol and drug related crime, would be priorities. The 403 officers currently involved in criminal justice units need to be moved onto the streets. A greater number...[full story]
2010 manifestos:A testing subject
Friday, May 14th, 2010Solving the transfer crisis and raising standards feature highly in the schools debate. Virtually all education policy is devolved so MPs elected from Northern Ireland will have little influence on how its schools, colleges and universities are run. Most Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat commitments apply to Great Britain alone. Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionists have the most influence over education, responsible for schools and post-school policy respectively, but the DUP has also been effective at stopping policies which it opposes. DUP The party focuses on the early years...[full story]
