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25/11/2003
Future of NI in electorate's hands, says Blair
The Prime Minister, commenting yesterday on the Northern Ireland Assembly election to be held on Wednesday, has said that the future of the province is in the electorate's hands.
Mr Blair said that the election was a "big moment" for people in Northern Ireland: "We are now at the point in the politics of Northern Ireland where I can't make any more decisions. I can't renegotiate agreements, I can't rewrite those things that have already been agreed.
"The decision is now for people in Northern Ireland and they are going to have to decide, in a fundamental way, whether Northern Ireland today is a better place than it was six, seven, 10 years ago. And if it is they are going to have to vote for it."
The Prime Minister said that he hoped "people chose the future and not the past."
The electorate will select 108 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the 256 candidates representing the 20 or so political parties.
However, it is not thought that there will be an immediate resumption of the power-sharing executive that was suspended on October 14, 2002. A review of the Good Friday Agreement with further negotiations is expected to commence.
For the first time observers from the Northern Ireland office of the Electoral Commission will monitor the election process. The 18-strong team of observers will contribute to a report on the conduct and administration of the election.
(SP)
Mr Blair said that the election was a "big moment" for people in Northern Ireland: "We are now at the point in the politics of Northern Ireland where I can't make any more decisions. I can't renegotiate agreements, I can't rewrite those things that have already been agreed.
"The decision is now for people in Northern Ireland and they are going to have to decide, in a fundamental way, whether Northern Ireland today is a better place than it was six, seven, 10 years ago. And if it is they are going to have to vote for it."
The Prime Minister said that he hoped "people chose the future and not the past."
The electorate will select 108 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the 256 candidates representing the 20 or so political parties.
However, it is not thought that there will be an immediate resumption of the power-sharing executive that was suspended on October 14, 2002. A review of the Good Friday Agreement with further negotiations is expected to commence.
For the first time observers from the Northern Ireland office of the Electoral Commission will monitor the election process. The 18-strong team of observers will contribute to a report on the conduct and administration of the election.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
