Speech by Mr Dennis Rogan, Chairman of the Executive Committee
My long line of predecessors have set very high standards which I trust I can maintain.
I can assure you that one has a very different perspective of Conference from this side of the rostrum.
A Party Chairman needs to demonstrate at least two capabilities -
To function as a representative figurehead of a diverse organisation and also to act as a 'sign writer' to the way ahead.
At this point in time there is a great frustration both with and within politics in Northern Ireland. I do not propose to either catalogue events nor to take any pleasure in saying to Her Majesty's Government, we the Ulster Unionists, advised you but you preferred the opinion of all and sundry to the opinion of those who represent the people of Northern Ireland.
We speak as men and women who truly represent the people via the ballot box not as those who purport to represent the people from their comfortable placements in Quangoland or Maryfield or the NIO.
It is all too easy for our political opponents to make derogatory and critical comments regarding our inability to change but their criticism is simply not justified.
The Ulster Unionist Party has a sound record of addressing the need for change and progress within Northern Ireland for all the people.
I would also stress our recognition of the need for cross border co-operation in terms of the economy, energy, tourism, business development and friendly social exchange.
But what we do not need nor want is imposed institutionalisation of cross border structures to administer this co-operation.
Truly friendly neighbours usually do not need formal agreements before co-operating to they mutual advantage.
Nor should two neighbouring countries.
As we look to Westminster we see that the form of the Union may very well change.
We hear increased debate upon the future forms of regional and local government in Scotland, Wales and to a lesser extent in England and we should be prepared to evaluate the merits of every proposal that would bring government closer to the electorate.
This of course is dramatically opposite to the Northern Ireland system where our elected representatives have been marginalized systematically to leave our Province administered and managed by unelected bodies who seem to consider the ballot box as outmoded and irrelevant.
If Ulster Unionists are to be criticised for asserting the supremacy of the ballot box then I welcome such criticism because it is refuted easily each time this Party goes to the people for their endorsement.
Within months we shall face two elections - local government and parliamentary and you the Party stalwarts will again be called to give of your best in support of our candidates through campaigns which I am confident will endorse the Ulster Unionist Party as the only option.
We meet here in North Antrim and we note how the North Antrim Unionist Party over successive elections has swung public opinion away from the negative of the ranter and raver to the positive in political thinking.
Clearly here Ulster Unionism is the best option.
Not only in North Antrim, but throughout the Province; I wish all our prospective candidates success and for my part pledge my support to them in the forthcoming election campaigns.
Time and time again my predecessors have drawn attention to our continuing dilemma as a regional party.
The Ulster Unionist Party in common with other parties has a number of recurring difficulties.
Money is always required and in ever increasing amounts to enable the unionist position to be presented at home and more importantly abroad. Our tradition of acting responsibly and giving a straight answer does not catch the headlines because unfortunately it is the extreme and sensational that makes modern sound bites.
Our dilemma continues in that we have to choose between short term popularity and continuing, without any vestige of political power, to work conscientiously to lead the Unionist people of this province, towards a new tomorrow of hope prosperity and peace.
In reality - frustrating though it may be - we have to continue to offer constructive responsible leadership - which will deliver.
David Trimble is doing this.
Progress cannot be achieved by myths and ridiculous protestations. Real life is not like that. You must properly understand and continue to spread the message that the battle is not just fought within Northern Ireland. Our image as Unionists is improving and in this regard it is being helped through the work of both the Unionist Information Office in London and the Washington Office.
We must continue to make effective professional presentations of our policies on the wider world stage, and in that arena sound bites simply will not suffice
It requires months, indeed years, of hard solid work.
Old allies have to be encouraged and new friends and allies have to be enlisted -
An uphill task for a regional party.
Ulster Unionists must take the lead in this area to encourage others to join with the greater number of the people of Ulster to construct a new and improved Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.
The recurring activities of both our own government and that of the Irish Republic create situations of uncertainty. We must end this drift because no sane person even wishes to contemplate further death, destruction and shame.
We have a sufficiency of real problems without terrorism -
Serious unemployment, chronic social problems, concerns over health and education.
The face of our province is changing rapidly.
Our problems are many and varied and all come with their own especial difficulties, we must task ourselves anew to redouble our efforts to put right the great wrong that has been imposed upon the Northern Ireland people for too long.
Within Northern Ireland the power vacuum has been filled by far too many bodies which are accountable to no one and which expend vast sums of public money.
Now we have Trusts and Agencies tasked to deliver services which in effect means that Northern Ireland Ministers are evading their responsibility to parliament as well as to the taxpayer.
Such unrepresentative bodies flourish unchecked and are dedicated to their own enhancement.
Appointed "responsible to no-one" bodies cannot be allowed to decide our fixture - district Councils have been marginalised since 1973 and the time has come to involve them further in the day to day running of our Province.
Whilst the search for good government and stability through democratic structures in Northern Ireland continues in the Talks and in the Forum, the hum-drum work of the Party goes on and it is vitally important that it should, and equally important also that no-one or no group approaches the task in an irresponsible fashion.
There is a responsibility and a duty placed on the activist, you, at local level to speak out confidently about your unionism. There is no room at local level for those who "leave it to others".
A few District Councillors must try harder to keep personal bickerings out of the public domain and instead support their colleagues, the vast majority, who do a tremendous job in our town halls and in their community with little or no financial reward or thanks.
Dedication to the task in hand in the Forum and Talks is of vital importance. Regular attendance and fully participating is required. The Party will owe a great deal to those who will truthfully be able to say "I tried hard - I gave it my all".
The work at Parliament has to go on with renewed vigour.
Again regular attendance and full participation in the House of Commons and in committee work is expected. Several members are playing a prominent role in the Talks Forum on top of their parliamentary and constituency duties and the rank and file should recognise the extra burden this places on the whole team. Our member at Europe has been burning the midnight oil and needs the support of the Party and activists throughout the Province.
He is obviously central to the Party's varied work in Europe.
In particular on behalf of the agricultural community in these difficult days I would like to pay tribute to his efforts on their behalf.
But it should also be remembered that many other sectors of the economy depend on farmers.
The Party Executive and Officer team must re-double their efforts to manage the Party's affairs more efficiently and more effectively.
As your Chairman I believe there is a duty placed on me to say these things to you.
Indeed it would be irresponsible not to do so.
Let me use a sporting analogy.
If the attacking forwards, the defending backs and the goalie, are not playing to the same game plan then not only will success in the league be patchy - I doubt if the team will win the cup.
At all levels, some of which I have mentioned, nothing short of singing from the same hymn sheet and to the same tune is acceptable.
Finally, perhaps each of us should reflect from time to time on why we are involved in political life.
The cynic may proffer comments regarding self interest or personal gain but fundamentally I feel we would not be involved if, at heart, we did not believe that we, rather than others, could by our actions offer a better future for all and that our young people in particular will derive benefit from implementation of our beliefs into programmes and polices.
Without this core belief no political grouping could survive - nor indeed would it deserve so to do.
