Jim Nicholson MEP and UUP representative

North Down Conservatives and Unionists candidate Ian Parsley has said the main message from the Northern Ireland electorate is that we need MPs to act to boost employment by investing in our economy.

"It is no surprise to me that the primary issue across the constituency has been the need to protect existing jobs and create new ones. People are genuinely worried about the increased number of families and communities being affected by the global recession and every constituency in Northern Ireland has been hit hard due to a fall in business activity. Gordon Brown is only jeopardising the recovery further by increasing National Insurance and, if not dealt with, this could have wider implications for society."

"We need to get people into employment and the only way to do that is by investing in our economy, not hitting it with further taxes on jobs. Locally, our Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey has rightly focused on access to essential skills, with over 10,000 people in apprentice training. We need to match this at UK level - something the current Labour government is simply failing to do.

"Conservatives and Unionists have thus put in place an outline 25-year plan to stop our dependence on the public sector, and ensure that we grow a dynamic, innovative culture of private enterprise if we are to provide career opportunities for the people of Northern Ireland, particularly for our youth. Given the challenges the global economy still faces it is essential that we return a government which will put measures in place to promote the establishment and development of businesses. This is the only way we will get the jobs we need.

"Existing businesses cannot afford to be squeezed by government policies such as further taxes on jobs at this time and potential entrepreneurs do not need obstacles put in their way if they wish to establish a new business. We need to ensure that businesses are encouraged to grow and that we all share the benefits of that growth.

"This is why it is essential that Northern Ireland voters can elect MPs who are in a position to deliver real influence at the heart of government in London. At Westminster, on issues such as jobs, Conservatives and Unionists do not want just to work for people - we want to deliver for them."

Ian Parsley, Conservatives and Unionists candidate for North Down, has said that the "scandal of 269 DOE civil servants being redeployed is down to typical DUP mismanagement - nothing else".

"We are all well aware of the effects of the economic downturn, but this disastrous situation is the result of successive DUP Environment Ministers burying their heads in the sand rather than facing up to changing circumstances.

"Conservatives and Unionists know that we need to tackle our national debt and boost our under-developed private sector - we are responsible politicians who refuse to run away from Northern Ireland's problems.

"This is the beginning of the fall-out from the DUP refusing to take off their blinkers. While Sammy Wilson refused to acknowledge the black hole in our finances - until forced to do so by the UUP's David McNarry - his Party colleague in the DOE continued to recruit staff while Planning receipts nosedived.

"This is basic maths - you don't employ more staff while income is falling and is likely to continue to do so. The end result is that long-term employees have been made vulnerable.

"Perhaps if Peter Robinson and his cohorts had been more proactive in dealing with Northern Ireland's budget these people wouldn't have to take to the streets, fearing for their jobs.

"While Peter Robinson is busy saying one thing on public spending - and printing entirely another in his manifesto 'wish list' - perhaps his advisers could ponder on which areas of public spending the DUP believe need to be reined in and which spending reductions must be pursued?

"What steps should the next Government take to reduce debt? Do they have any idea or is their sole aim to scaremonger over the real attempts of others to take control of our economic future?

"Until Peter Robinson and his colleagues give straight answers to how they would fulfill these manifesto commitments the only conclusion is that they are trying to take the people of Northern Ireland for fools.

"Conservatives and Unionists believe in telling the truth. We believe that the people of Northern Ireland deserve honesty and integrity from their politicians.

"The reality is that the DUP can say what they want. Their manifesto is an uncosted wish list that will never be implemented for the simple reason that they will never be part of a UK Government.

"They are standing at this election to be a tiny opposition party at Westminster.

"Conservatives and Unionists are standing to be part of the UK Government at the heart of the Union."

Ian Parsley, Conservatives and Unionists candidate for North Down, has said that it is clear as we enter the last week of the election campaign that "the DUP have comprehensively lost the argument over which party can best put Northern Ireland at the heart of the Union".

"While the DUP is fighting this election in order to remain a tiny opposition party alongside the Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, Conservatives and Unionists are fighting to be the government of the United Kingdom.

"Having lost this one, the last resort of the DUP is to engage in irresponsible scaremongering about the economy.

"Yet it's the DUP manifesto that calls for 'spending reductions', and says that 'a key priority of the next Government must be reducing debt'.

"And it's the DUP that has just pushed through a budget to cut spending in Northern Ireland by £370 million.

"Their hypocrisy is staggering. They are trying to play people in Northern Ireland for fools.

"A vote for the DUP or Sylvia Hermon is a vote for propping up five more years of Gordon Brown.

"A vote for the Conservatives and Unionists is a vote for a credible plan to repair our broken economy and put Northern Ireland at the heart of the Union."

Ian Parsley, Conservatives and Unionists North Down candidate, has welcomed SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie's support for Conservative and Unionist economic policy.

"I am delighted to hear Margaret Ritchie come out in support of cutting corporation tax and job creation in Northern Ireland. These are goals we share with the SDLP - however only Conservatives and Unionists can deliver on them.

"By voting Conservatives and Unionists at this election, the Northern Ireland electorate can be assured of MPs who are in a position to deliver real influence at the heart of government.

"A party that can only hope for leverage in an unstable hung Parliament can offer little to the Northern Ireland economy.

"The only people in this election who can deliver for our local economy are Conservatives and Unionists candidates who have the chance to form part of the next Government of the UK.

"We are committed to looking at specific measures to turn Northern Ireland into an economic 'Enterprise Zone'. We are committed to getting the UK working by boosting enterprise, stopping Labour's jobs tax for all employers and employees, cutting corporation tax rates, abolishing taxes on the first ten jobs created by new businesses, promoting green jobs, and getting people off welfare and into work.

"Only the Conservatives and Unionists can deliver these things because we are the only party standing in Northern Ireland who can be part of the UK Government.

"A vote for Conservatives and Unionists is a vote for your local economy."

North Down Conservatives and Unionists candidate Ian Parsley has warned that the steep rise in Northern Ireland unemployment demonstrates the need to elect MPs who will work full-time at Westminster and have real influence within the next UK government.

Speaking after a visit to Bangor Market, Cllr Parsley stated: "The statistics showing that Northern Ireland was the only UK region to record a rise in unemployment benefits claimants and has recorded the steepest rise in employment of any UK region this year only demonstrates what people are telling me in the streets and on the doorsteps.

"The Conservatives and Unionists are the only team at this election who have not only the policies in place to tackle unemployment, but also the potential influence to deliver them. This is no time for any constituency in Northern Ireland to elect an MP who is not committed to doing the job full-time at Westminster, or to elect an MP who will have no influence on the next UK government.

"We will lower corporation tax to help businesses, stop the national insurance rises to make employment less expensive, and promote more flexible working to make it easier for parents to return to work.

"Other candidates can make no such commitments as they have no means of leveraging any influence at Westminster while the laws are being drafted, the policy is being determined and the budgets are being allocated. They will be confined to the lobbies while Conservative and Unionist MPs will be at the heart of government.

"This is no time to elect MPs who are not focused on what they have to do at Westminster, and have no means of delivering anything once they are there. As graduates cannot find work, parents find it hard to return to employment, and companies are forced to make layoffs, we need an MP with real influence directly accountable for making sure jobs are secure and local businesses can recruit. Five more years of Gordon Brown with Northern Ireland's interests confined the sidelines is no way to tackle such a serious matter.

"This is the change the Conservatives and Unionists offer. We do not just want to work for the people of Northern Ireland, they want to deliver for them."

The Conservative and Unionist plan for welfare reform

Ian Parsley, Conservatives and Unionists candidate for North Down, has welcomed David Cameron's announcement of a "new welfare contract". This would combine unprecedented support for those looking for work with a clear signal that, for those who fail to take responsibility, the free ride is over.

Ian said, "The announcement that a Conservative and Unionist government will tackle worklessness and dependency head-on is good news for Northern Ireland. The tax-and-benefits framework for dealing with worklessness is set by Westminster. If the devolved Executive is going to have the tools to address Northern Ireland's unacceptably high rates of economic inactivity, it needs Westminster to change Labour's failed approach to worklessness.

"The Conservative and Unionist proposal of a new 'Work Programme' will both support those looking for work and also challenge those looking for a free ride. By rewarding responsibility, the Work Programme will radically change the way welfare works in the UK.

"For those who abuse the welfare system, the Work Programme will ensure that Jobseeker's Allowance will be cut if anyone refuses a job. This is all about responsibility - the responsibility of society to help those seeking for work and the responsibility of those on Jobseeker's Allowance to genuinely look for work.

"We all know there needs to be change in how our country approaches welfare and worklessness. Other parties can make promises. Only the Conservatives and Unionists can deliver this change".

'Ending the free ride for those who fail to take responsibility' - the Conservative and Unionist plan for welfare reform

Ian Parsley, Conservatives and Unionists candidate for North Down, has welcomed David Cameron's announcement of a "new welfare contract". This would combine unprecedented support for those looking for work with a clear signal that, for those who fail to take responsibility, the free ride is over.

Ian said, "The announcement that a Conservative and Unionist government will tackle worklessness and dependency head-on is good news for Northern Ireland. The tax-and-benefits framework for dealing with worklessness is set by Westminster. If the devolved Executive is going to have the tools to address Northern Ireland's unacceptably high rates of economic inactivity, it needs Westminster to change Labour's failed approach to worklessness.

"The Conservative and Unionist proposal of a new 'Work Programme' will both support those looking for work and also challenge those looking for a free ride. By rewarding responsibility, the Work Programme will radically change the way welfare works in the UK.

"For those who abuse the welfare system, the Work Programme will ensure that Jobseeker's Allowance will be cut if anyone refuses a job. This is all about responsibility - the responsibility of society to help those seeking for work and the responsibility of those on Jobseeker's Allowance to genuinely look for work.

"We all know there needs to be change in how our country approaches welfare and worklessness. Other parties can make promises. Only the Conservatives and Unionists can deliver this change".

Following the launch by David Cameron of the Conservatives and Unionists Older People Manifesto, Conservatives and Unionists North Down candidate Ian Parsley has said that it represents real commitment to older people in our society.

"The Conservatives and Unionists Older People Manifesto outlines how a Conservative and Unionist government will recognise and respect those who have worked hard, paid their taxes and contributed to their community throughout their lives.

"The pledge that a Conservative and Unionist government will restore the link between the basic state pension and earnings is fundamental to securing a better quality of life for older people. This is key if our society is to address the scandal of pensioner poverty. Alongside this, we have also pledged to retain the Winter Fuel Allowance, pension credit, and free TV licences for over-75s.

"The idea that once a person becomes 65 they no longer have the skills, talents and drive to work also needs to be challenged. A Conservative and Unionist government will look at how to promote flexible retirement ages, giving older people the choice over when they leave employment. Both in the workplace and in society at large, older people have much to contribute and a Conservative and Unionist government will recognise this.

"Older people rely on our health service in a special way. The pledge that a Conservative and Unionist government will protect the NHS budget by increasing yearly spending ensures that older people can have the security of knowing that a well-resourced NHS is there to care for them when needed. Conservatives and Unionists urge the Executive to make the same commitment to protect health spending in Northern Ireland.

"Part of the commitment of a Conservative and Unionist government to make the UK the most family-friendly society in Europe is in recognising and respecting the important role played by grandparents in very many families. This will include recognising the rights of grandparents when a marriage breaks-up or when a child has to be taken into care.

"Other parties in Northern Ireland can talk about what they would like to do at Westminster for older people. Only the Conservatives and Unionists can deliver".

ENDS...

Conservative and Unionist Westminster candidate Ian Parsley was out about in North Down at the weekend with Ulster Unionist Leslie Cree MLA and supporters to engage with people at the doorstep as well as gauge public opinion in one of its busiest shopping areas, Main Street, Bangor.

Ian Parsley, already a well known face in local council said "I am encouraged by the response on the doorsteps. "People are responding well to the need for us to bring national politics to Northern Ireland and deliver change of Government. I am also pleased to say that this applies right across the constituency."

Local Northern Ireland Assemblyman Leslie Cree, in support of Mr Parsley's campaign said, "This is the first time that the people of North Down will have a say in who will form next Government of the United Kingdom."

"I believe, and none of the constituents that I have met either at the doorstep or in the street disagrees- Brown and Labour must go!"

"Brown is responsible for destroying final salary pension schemes. He sold the country's gold resources at the worst possible time and he has accumulated a massive deficit which our grandchildren are likely to have to repay. It is crucial that the Labour Party is replaced.

The group of canvassers were supported by Mr Owen Paterson who is likely to be the next Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. This is further evidence of the level of commitment to the Province by senior Conservatives.