The Five Demands

Robinson ‘would like’ one Unionist party (UTV)
First Minister Peter Robinson has spoken exclusively to UTV about the relationship between the DUP and the Ulster Unionist Party.
Mr Robinson said in this centenary year of the signing of the Ulster Covenant, in which almost 500,000 objected to Home Rule, that he would like to see a return to the “cohesiveness there was within the Unionist community at that time”.
“I would like to see that coming about again and I think you probably will have noted that some of the heat that there has been in the exchanges between the DUP and Ulster Unionists has now been removed there is now a much improved relationship.”
As Scotland potentially faces a referendum on its independence in the coming weeks, the repercussions of Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond’s meetings with the Prime Minister are also being felt in Northern Ireland.
Mr Robinson added that a good relationship with the UUP is something he hopes to build on in the future, citing his party’s connection with the Ulster Unionist leader and deputy leader as a leading example of the possible bond.
“I have a good relationship with Tom Elliott and I think that’s in the interest of the Unionist community as a whole.
“I think particularly perhaps the two of us can join together in a campaign to uphold the integrity of the United Kingdom particularly in the light of the decision by the Scottish Nationalist Party that they want to have a referendum to leave the union,” he said.
In January 2010, it was revealed the DUP, UUP and Conservative Party were involved in secret talks at the stately home of an English Conservative Peer.
A tenuous pact had already been formed between the Ulster Unionists and Tories, but the meetings at Hatfield House led to speculation that the parties may run agreed candidates in future elections.
However the deal did not come to fruition, and the link between the UUP and Conservatives has deteriorated, but the possibility of greater cooperation between parties still appears to be on the table.
“We talk to the Ulster Unionist party all the time and I hope we will continue to do so.
“I think the electorate made it very clear during the last election that they want to have a strong and cohesive Unionist party capable of taking on Sinn Féin.
“The republican drive and the Democratic Unionist Party has grown in support because it is best seen to deliver an answer to that problem so I would like it to be strengthened even more,” he added.
When questioned about his desire to see one Unionist party, the First Minister said:
“I have no difficulty in saying that of course I would like to see that, but very often if you start putting that out you start causing problems for other people.
“Let’s just improve the relationship we have, build on that relationship and who knows where it might lead.”