The Democratic Unionist Party has a positive vision for Northern Ireland. We want to see a prosperous Northern Ireland, one where people can be proud to live, work and bring up a family. After being marred for decades by terrorism and conflict, our country now has stable devolved institutions at Stormont, where local people are taking local decisions and all parties in the Executive are signed up in support of the police, courts and rule of law.

BY MARK WALLACE

Much has been achieved in the last four years against the odds: everyone over the age of 60 can now use public transport for free; 750,000 households have benefited from the Regional Rate being frozen in cash terms for 3 years; capital investment in our infrastructure has increased to £1.5 billion last year from just £700 million under Direct Rule, to name just a few.

But we believe that Stormont can and must perform better in the next four years. To that end the DUP has set out its seven key priorities for the next term of the Assembly: we will ensure that the Northern Ireland Executive supports the creation of over 20,000 new jobs and work to progressively reduce Corporation Tax to make Northern Ireland the best place in the UK to do business. We believe that householders are already under enough pressure due to the rising cost of living and will block the imposition of additional water charges.

We believe that prisoners should not be treated more favourably than law abiding citizens – we will support tougher sentences. We will work towards establishing a single, shared education system; ensure that academic selection is safeguarded and oppose any above-inflation rises to tuition fees. Greater efficiency and productivity, as well as proper funding in the health service is another thing we will push for.

In order for Stormont to function better, it requires reform. The DUP supports a reduction in the number of MLAs and government departments. We also want to normalise our institutions by removing community designation and moving towards a voluntary system of forming a government. We recognise that such changes will come about by agreement and so we will work with other parties to make Northern Ireland a more settled society.

The DUP is working to build a shared, united community and strengthen the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland as we approach its centenary. We believe that Northern Ireland can flourish in its second century and become a social, political and economic success story. To keep Northern Ireland moving forward, vote DUP on Thursday.