DUP 2007 POLICY PAPERS
A CONSISTENT APPROACH
BY THE DUP
Other parties are against water charges
now but the DUP has been consistently
opposed to the scheme. Here's the proof –
In May 2002 Peter Robinson wrote to the
Executive,
"I am open to better suggestions arising
through the consultation process but it is
hard not to recognise the advantage of
Water Service costs being isolated as part
of the Regional Rate bill with only the
new infrastructure being charged
additionally to the Ratepayer and then
only if needed after savings have been
made, from amongst other things,
bureaucratic extravagance.
This alternative offers a desirable
outcome which
(1) clearly identifies the source of income
for water services;
(2) provides for much needed additional
funding for water infrastructure;
(3) avoids having to unnecessarily burden
the Ratepayer; and
(4) enables hypothecation of revenues
raised to fund Water Service"
In such circumstances, there would be no
substantial increase in local taxes.
SUMMARY OF
PROPOSALS:
Only the DUP has a strategy to solve the
water charges problem. Give us a
mandate to negotiate with the Prime
Minister and Chancellor
THE PARTY WITH A RECORD OF LOW TAXES
WATER CHARGES
In a letter to the people of
Northern Ireland, Dr Paisley sets out
that he will make solving the water
charges issue a key priority.
He explains his approach to this
issue and details why only the
DUP can do so by ensuring the
matter is addressed in a financial
package and taking charge of
the Department of Finance and
Personnel.
Dear Friend,
I am committed to tackling the issue of
water charges as a key priority and I want
your help to do so.
Rarely in all my years in politics has there been an
issue which has generated so much opposition as
the Government’s plan to introduce water charges.
I can speak bluntly about this matter because my
party’s position now is exactly the same as it was
in 2002. The documentary evidence which
vindicates the DUP position was set out in a debate
at Westminster on 16th March 2005 at which the
other parties were present. They never refuted any
of the damning facts.
However, I do not intend to make this matter a
party political issue as I welcome the change in the
position of other parties. To hear the former
Finance Minister who endorsed breaking the link
between water charging and the regional rate,
which caused the introduction of this water
charging mess, now advocating that the link
should be restored is a very welcome development.
During this campaign I have spoken to countless
people from right across the Province who oppose
the new arrangements not just because they have
to pay more, but more importantly because they
see the proposals as being fundamentally unfair.
People rightly believe that they have been paying
for water and are now being asked to pay twice.
Many people also believe that it is unfair to charge
them for water on the basis of the value of their
homes. These concerns must be addressed.
It would be wrong to pretend that there are any
easy or simple solutions to this problem. Indeed,
those who claim there are do not serve your
interests, nor the interests of Northern Ireland as
a whole. But, I believe, with a strong mandate to
negotiate with the Treasury a solution can be
found.
The amount we have to spend on public services
and other financial arrangements in Northern
Ireland is largely dictated from the Treasury.They
are key to finding a satisfactory resolution.That is
why it is so important that before devolution
returns we get the arrangement in place to help us
tackle the financial issues.
As a politician I have never believed in ducking
difficult issues and I am committed to securing a
resolution to this matter. While all parties are now
opposed to the present proposals, I believe that
only the DUP has a realistic approach to solving the
problem.
To resolve this issue I propose to take the
following steps.
Over the years the DUP has deservedly
won the reputation of being a low tax party and I
believe that we are best placed to tackle this
problem.
The DUP has
already put the government on notice that
resolving the issue of water charges is an
essential component of the financial
package.
Other parties are letting the
Government off the hook on this issue by not
making it a precondition for devolution.
Water Charges is an issue which must be
resolved and as a party we are fully
committed to doing so. After the election
I want to be able to take my negotiating
team to the Prime Minister and the
Chancellor with the strongest possible
mandate to negotiate a package to address
this problem. I hope I can count on your
support to help me do so.
Your friend,
Dr Ian R.K. Paisley M.P.
Get Your Copy:
(You will need Adobe Reader to view the PDF files.
Tackling Water Charges
MY COMMITMENT
TO TACKLE WATER CHARGES
Click on the icon below to download it free)
