The Ulster Unionist deputy leader, Mr John Taylor, has said that people can no longer condemn the North's politicians for not tackling the problems of violence and political instability. Those who support the Belfast Agreement must now elect politicians who will work constructively in the Assembly, he said.
Voters must ensure that the DUP, which has stated that it intends to thwart the assembly, was not successful, he added. "We need every Yes vote to be registered again on election day. Responsibility now rests with the electors and no longer with the politicians who have taken risks to give leadership," said Mr Taylor, who is standing in Strangford.
The SDLP's North Antrim candidate, Mr Sean Farren, said the Assembly must have tax-varying powers. "At the moment the North is at the mercy of Westminster, where taxes are set not for our benefit but for the benefit of those in England.
The Alliance chairwoman, Ms Eileen Bell, has said voters should support candidates determined to make the new Assembly accountable and representative. Over a quarter of her party's candidates were female, and it was important they were able to contribute to the decision-making process. The Women's Coalition yesterday proposed that the Assembly establish a ministry for environmental protection and public health and a ministry for children and families. Its South Belfast candidate, Ms Monica McWilliams, said: "One of the best measures of social justice in any society is how well it provides for the rights and needs of children. Eradicating the effects of poverty on children is a top priority for the Women's Coalition."
The SDLP's candidate for Lagan Valley, Ms Patricia Lewsley, has said education must be the Assembly's top priority. The North had a poor education record in comparison with other countries and needed to address the matter urgently.
Figures showed that around 40 per cent of school-leavers obtained two A levels or more compared to half of school-leavers in France, two-thirds in Germany, and 80 per cent in Japan. "We have a long way to go if we are to be competitive in world terms," said Ms Lewsley. The UK Unionist candidate for West Belfast, Mr Tom Sheridan, said his first priority was to improve the social and economic welfare of constituents. Investment was urgently required in the area and a structured plan of regeneration.
But until paramilitary violence was dealt with, it would be difficult to attract investors, he added. Sinn Fein's North Belfast candidates, Mr Gerry Kelly and Ms Martina McIlkenny, have outlined demands for the social, economic, political and cultural regeneration of the city. These include the closure of various army and RUC stations and the development of the land for public housing.