THE Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) will be campaigning for a "reasonable" political settlement which would allow for a "special relationship" with the Republic, according to its spokesman, Mr David Ervine.
The people of Northern Ireland deserved a political solution which would be copperfastened by a written constitution and a bill of rights, Mr Ervine said yesterday when the PUP's election manifesto was published.
As long as the greater number of people in Northern Ireland wished to remain within the United Kingdom there must be no diminution of the North's constitutional status, he said. The PUP nonetheless believed structures should be devised whereby elected representatives, North and South, could voluntarily work together "without interference in each other's internal affairs for the economic betterment and the fostering of good neighbourly relations".
The manifesto published yesterday also declared the right of any individual or group to seek constitutional change by democratic, legitimate and peaceful means. The party wanted to create an "honourable and equitable society".
"We recognise and respect the rights and aspirations of all those who abide by the law regardless of religious, cultural, national or political inclinations. There must be no dilution of the democratic procedure through which the rights of self determination of the people of Northern Ireland are guaranteed."
The PUP, under the slogan "We Will Make a Difference", is fielding 48 candidates in all 18 constituencies. The party hopes to win a small number of directly elected seats, and to gain two additional seats on the "top up" regional list system.
