Jim Nicholson MEP and UUP representative

Welcoming the announcement by David Cameron that a Conservative and Unionist government will introduce a voluntary National Citizen Service for young people programme, Conservative and Unionist South Belfast candidate Paula Bradshaw has said that the programme will build on and enhance young peoples' sense of social responsibility.

"The pledge that a Conservative and Unionist government will introduce a National Citizen Service for Young People demonstrates our commitment to giving young people the opportunity to work alongside one another, learn new skills and grow in their sense of social responsibility.

"The programme has already been piloted in other parts of the UK, with great results. This will not be a case of the state attempting to take over from the already excellent array of youth organisations in Northern Ireland - such as, amongst many, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Scouts, Guides, faith-based youth organisations, and local youth clubs. These organisations will be encouraged to become partners with National Citizen Service, delivering the programme and ensuring that their expertise, skills and services are fully utilised. National Citizen Service will be backed and funded - but not run - by the state.

"In Northern Ireland, National Citizen Service has the potential to help build a shared future by ensuring that young people from different backgrounds learn to work together for the common good. Across the entire UK this will be a key aspect of the programme - allowing young people to learn together, overcome stereotypes and together serve local communities.

"This is what Conservatives and Unionists mean by 'the big society' - encouraging social responsibility, giving young people the opportunity to work together for local communities, and building a shared future. It is a vision we believe is shared by the people of Northern Ireland. And on 6th May they can ensure that this vision is central to the next Westminster government by voting Conservative and Unionist."

Paula Bradshaw, the Conservatives and Unionists candidate for South Belfast has welcomed the call from Rev Martin Smyth for a big Unionist turnout on Thursday.

Paula said;

"I would like to echo the comments made by the Rev Martin Smyth at the weekend when he said that apathy should not prevail and that it was important that people actually go out and cast their vote for the Union.

Rev Martin Smyth served South Belfast well for 23 as the local MP and I am seeking to follow in his footsteps.

I am offering the people of South Belfast the opportunity to vote for a candidate who can maximise the pro-Union vote by appealing to those people who have become disillusioned with politics and politicians. Some will be former Unionist voters who have stopped turning out, others may never have voted Unionist before, but have an attachment to the Union as the best option for Northern Ireland in social, economic and political terms.

At this Election, the Conservatives and Unionists are offering voters in Northern Ireland the opportunity to engage in National politics, by voting for candidates who have the chance to form part of the next Government. This is real change.

I believe that I can best represent the wish of the pro-Union people in South Belfast to remain as citizens of the United Kingdom and to enjoy the prosperity and privileges of such citizenship.

A vote for the Conservatives is a vote to be at the heart of the Union. It is essential that those who value the Union actually turn out to vote for the Union."

Conservatives and Unionists candidate for South Belfast, Paula Bradshaw, has voiced her support for the Ulster Museum in its inclusion in the 2010 Art Fund Prize list which aims to recognize excellence in museums and galleries across the UK. The Ulster Museum re-opened its doors in October 2009 following extensive refurbishment.

Welcoming its inclusion Paula said, "I am delighted to see the inclusion of the Ulster Museum in this list - a list which recognizes originality and excellence in museums and galleries across the United Kingdom.

"I am sure that many within South Belfast have enjoyed having the doors of the Ulster Museum open again to the public in the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Families are able to spend quality time together in a space which stimulates learning amongst our children and encourages family fun and discussion.

"The Ulster Museum comprises fine art, history, natural sciences and world cultures. It makes us look back at where we have all come from, to celebrate different cultures and to appreciate artistic talent. And it helps us to be more outward-looking.

"This is a simple way for each of us to get on board and actively support one of the jewels in South Belfast's crown. I would ask the public to get alongside the Ulster Museum and to vote for it at http://www.artfundprize.org.uk/index.php The winner will receive an award of £100,000. Let's celebrate this local success and support all that it offers to the people of Northern Ireland."

Responding to comments by Alliance's Anna Lo attacking David Cameron's call for a growth in Northern Ireland private sector, Conservatives and Unionists South Belfast candidate Paula Bradshaw has pointed out that Anna appears to be uninformed about Alliance's own policies on this issue.

Paula Bradshaw said, "Anna's comments appear to suggest that she doesn't know her own party's policies.

"An Alliance Party paper on economic policy - freely available on the internet - is very explicit in condemning Northern Ireland's reliance on the public sector:

The public sector share of GDP is 71%. This is higher than many command economies, including many Soviet Bloc states during the Cold War and Nazi Germany.

"Considering what the Alliance policy paper states, I think most voters in South Belfast and across Northern Ireland will be wondering why Anna and Alliance now appear to be confused about their own policies.

"As a Conservative and Unionist I want to see Northern Ireland's private sector. David Cameron is 100% right - we need the jobs and economic opportunity that come from a vibrant private sector.

"It is a pity that Anna and Alliance have done a u-turn on their previous policy and now appear to be talking down the need for a strong private sector in Northern Ireland

Conservatives and Unionists South Belfast candidate Paula Bradshaw has said that the Education Minister's partial u-turn on prep schools is "far from a cessation of her attacks on parental choice".

"While of course the Minister's decision not to totally withdraw funding from prep schools is to be welcomed, shaving 1/3 off their budget seems like an attack through the back door. Having stepped away from her unpopular, and unreasonable, original plans, this still succeeds in punishing the sector.

"What is the justification for reducing the funding for a sector that is already only minimally financially dependant on the Department of Education?

"If there is anything 'inequitable' in the allocation of funding for prep schools, it is the Minister's determination to ride roughshod over parents' freedom of choice.

"Thanks to these cuts, levied in a time when all families are experiencing increasing financial pressure, parents who have worked hard to provide a preparatory school education for their children will be left to scramble about for additional funds. Moving the goalposts for parents is 'inequitable'.

"Once again Minister Ruane is busily inflicting her doctrine on the parents, children and schools of Northern Ireland. It seems that her pursuit of equality does not leave room for freedom of choice."

Conservatives and Unionists candidate Paula Bradshaw has said that 'votes are not for sale' in South Belfast following the news that DUP candidate Jimmy Spratt's offer to trade his Assembly seat in return for the withdrawal from the Westminster campaign.

Commenting on the news Paula said; "This is typical of the DUP who think that everything has a price. Contrary to Jimmy's policy I do not believe that constituents, or constituencies can be traded like a sliver of land.

"For that reason I would never accept a seat to which I was not democratically elected. I am not prepared to deny voters their right to real representation. As far as I am concerned seats cannot be traded. Although when it comes to what the DUP really stands for the electorate have come to the realisation that it is not trust and integrity - particularly given the news reports and revelations over the last few months.

"I am deeply disappointed that Mr Spratt has ignored the invitation to join my campaign. I have been canvassing for six weeks and the message on the doors has been clear. Unionist voters want a Unionist returned at this election. The only way we can ensure that this happens is by putting up a strong candidate who can attract votes from right across the pro-Union constituency and those who may never have voted unionist in the past. I believe I am that person.

"Let us not forget what this is really about. The DUP may attempt to claim that this is about unionist unity. Who split unionism in the first place? If this is about the best thing for Unionism then why are the DUP refusing to back a candidate who can boost Northern Ireland's role within the UK? Is that not what Unionism is meant to be about? While the DUP share a platform with the SNP and Plaid, the Conservatives and Unionists are determined to see Northern Ireland at the heart of the Union - not allied to those who want to end it."

"There is still time for one candidate to unite voters in South Belfast - therefore to Jimmy I would say - my door is always open."

Paula Bradshaw, the Conservatives and Unionists candidate for South Belfast has utterly condemned the hoax bomb alert which caused the evacuation of Belfast's Central Fire Station on Tuesday night.

Speaking whilst canvassing in South Belfast on Wednesday morning, Paula said; "I utterly condemn Tuesday night's hoax bomb alert in South Belfast which entailed a controlled explosion by Army bomb experts and the evacuation of nearby streets including fourteen fire officers from the nearby Central Fire Station.

Last night's incident served no purpose whatsoever and must be condemned by everyone. It was an attack on the entire community, causing disruption to not just the fire service and their ability to provide fire cover, but also to local residents and businesses.

The activities of the perpetrators are in stark contrast to our fire-fighters, who bravely serve the entire community and as events tragically showed in Southampton last week, risk their lives on a daily basis. Their job is dangerous enough without them being targeted in this manner."

Conservatives and Unionists candidate Paula Bradshaw has criticized the SDLP following comments made by Alasdair McDonnell in relation to Northern Ireland's budget stressing that a Conservative Government is the only way to secure a stable economic future for the whole of the UK.

"What exactly is Alasdair suggesting to the people of South Belfast? 5 more years of Gordon Brown - the PM who doubled the national debt?

Does he want a weak government that can't take the difficult economic decisions? Does he really want the government which has led to the UK having the 2nd largest budget deficit in the developed world to stay in power? Alasdair is offering South Belfast another 5 years of failed, weak, tax-spend-and-bust government from Labour.

"The people of South Belfast deserve better. Our frontline public services will not be protected unless the budget deficit is dealt with. Our private sector will not grow unless we clear up the chaos inflicted on our country's finances by Gordon Brown. Interest rates will inevitably rise - hurting homeowners and businesses - unless we deal with Gordon Brown's debt legacy. The biggest risk to our economic recovery is 5 more years of Gordon Brown.

"A Conservative and Unionist government will take urgent action to address the debt crisis, to keep interest rates lower for longer, and to protect an economic recovery. That is what I am offering to the people of South Belfast on 6th May. Alasdair McDonnell offers us only 5 more years of bankrupt Labour rule".

Conservatives and Unionists Westminster candidate for South Belfast, Paula Bradshaw, has expressed her shock after the Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, and other senior Polish politicians were killed in a plane crash in Russia today [Saturday 10th April].

Paula Bradshaw stated: "We have welcomed a significant Polish community to Belfast over the past few years, and they have made a significant contribution to daily life here. I know from my work with the Northern Ireland Polish Association that the Polish people are hard working and keen to integrate their families into our society.

"I know many Poles in Northern Ireland will be shocked by today's news, regardless of their own political views. Mr Kaczynski was their President and national leader. I know Poland has declared a week of national mourning, and I would wish to express my sympathy to Polish people in Northern Ireland at this sad time."