It contains transcripts of the electoral communications that each candidate in the 1999 European Election gave out to the electorate in Northern Ireland. These particular ones were gathered in county Down.

For short electoral communications, we have included practically the entire contents of the communication. This is true for: Ervine, McLaughlin and Neeson. For the rest, their communications were too large to transcribe them all, so we have taken only the concluding paragraphs or other central material off them.

ERVINE (PUP) - HUME (SDLP) - McCARTNEY (UKUP)
McLAUGHLIN (Sinn Fein) - NEESON (Alliance)
NICHOLSON (UUP) - PAISLEY (DUP)

See also: results of this election

The 'New Unionist' Choice for Europe
Ervine 1

David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party, Constituency of Northern Ireland

A Black & White Choice

"This Election is about securing Northern Ireland's interests within the European Union. I will endeavour to further the interests of all our citizens." David Ervine

The Progressive Unionist Party Advocates:

• A Pro-European vision of Northern Ireland's future
• Working with English, Scottish and Welsh M.E.P.'s for the benefit of all our citizens
• Building close economic and cultural links with our European neighbours
• The Retention of Northern Ireland's special funding status

"your first choice"

Make your vote count on Thursday, 10th June

Vote John Hume No.1
The People's choice for Europe

Northern Ireland Election Communication

Achievements in Europe

• Enhanced funding to Northern Ireland
• The Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation
• Community initiatives promoting cross-border trade, diversification of the rural economy and the regeneration of the urban environment
• Training and employment programmes for women, young people, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities
• Equality and social protection legislation
• Support for our farmers
• Protection and enhancement of the environment
• The introcution of a single european currency

Message from John Hume, MP, MEP

As your Member of the European Parliament, I have worked to bring Northern Ireland into the mainstream of Europe.

A Europe of Peace. A Europe of Prosperity.

We benefit massively from the European Union. The EU is an inspiration in our search for peace. The EU is helping to regenerate our economy and society.

Help me to continue this work with your vote on June 10th.

[Signed by John Hume]

Election Communication, Northern Ireland, June 10th 1999

YOUR CHOICE

Now you do have a choice on June 10th 1999.
ROBERT McCARNTEY

UK UNIONIST
VOTE ROBERT McCARTNEY 1

"Who can best serve the people of Northern Ireland?" The ANSWER must be ROBERT McCARTNEY

Your Vote
If pro-union voters stay at home and do not vote, they will endanger the union. Robert McCartney seeks your number 1 vote, but urges you otherwise to support a genuine pro-union candidate.

Northern Ireland
Democracy can never embrace those inextricably linked to terrorism. Northern Ireland can only prosper in Europe if democrats and terrorists are opposed.

Europe
The maintenance and improvement of Northern Ireland's economic and social welfare are vital to the whole community. This requires strong and effective representation in the European Parliament.

The Future
Robert McCartney pledges to keep the pound sterling as our currency, to maintain the independent sovereignty of the United Kingdom, and to serve the best interests of all the people in Northern Ireland.

UK UNIONIST
McCARTNEY Robert 1

Election Communication Northern Ireland Constituency

Peace and Independence in Europe

A Chara,

I am seeking your support to help build an inclusive, just and equal society in Ireland and Europe.

Sinn Féin is the only all-Ireland party.

Sinn Féin seeks positive change through our critical engagement with the European Union. Sinn Féin will campaign to:

• Promote the Peace Process.
• Oppose NATO & PfP.
• Reform CAP
• Advance Economic Justice.
• Dúnadh Sellafield. "Close Sellafield" [A nuclear re-processing plant in England]
• Implement the Good Friday Agreement.
• Réiteach buan Síochána. "Just and lasting peace"
• Irish Unity and Independence.

Is mise,
[Signed by Gerry Adams]

Election Communication Northern Ireland Constituency

People First

Alliance puts people first:
people, not Unionism or Nationalism
Northern Ireland at the heart of a citizens' Europe
full implementation of the people's Agreement

1 Alliance SEAN NEESON on Thursday 10th June

Alliance wants to create an opportunity society. Sean Neeson is committed to equality of opportunity for every individual. Europe can help our economy to grow and create job opportunities for our young people.

Sean Neeson is speaking up for Northern Ireland in Europe. Sean has served on the EU Committee of the Regions, he is a board member of NI Centre in Europe, and is active in the European Liberal Federation.

Sean Neeson is working to implement the Agreement in full. The politicians may have negotiated it, but the people voted for it. A vote for Alliance is a vote for progress.

Alliance's vision is of a permanently peaceful, stable and truly democratic society, which cherishes diversity and is committed to human rights, equality of citizenship and social justice.

The European Union is vitally important for the rural community. Sean Neeson will work to maximise opportunities fir balanced farming and rural development.

Alliance is a party of Europe. Sean Neeson beleives that the UK's swift entry into the Single Currency is in Northern Ireland's best economic interest.

Sean Neeson is working for regional development. He has led a cross-party delegation to press for a Natural Gas link for the North and North-West.

Alliance is working to bring people together, to create one shared, diverse community. Sean Neeson has set a target of having 10% of our children educated in Integrated Schools by 2005.

1 Alliance SEAN NEESON on Thursday 10th June

'Alliance is a party of the centre. We want to end the tribal politics of Unionism and Nationalism. Alliance wants to create a non-sectarian, pluralist Northern Ireland. The Agreement is not an end in itself: we must build upon its foundation. Alliance intends to bring about its vision of a Northern Ireland based on sharing rather than separation.'

Sean Neeson - Alliance Leader

European Parliamentary Election Communication For Northern Ireland from the

ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY
NICHOLSON 1

A message from Jim Nicholson
Ulster's Voice in Europe

Dear Elector

I want to see real peace in Northern Ireland but that peace must be firmly grounded in the principles of democracy.

We still have parties to the Belfast Agreement who are failing to honour their obligations. The Agreement involved compromises and acan benefit both unionists and nationalists. But it is essential that republicans fulfill their side of the bargain and not demand further concessions. Unionists must unite to resist such demands.

A real peace requires commitment to exclusively peaceful means. This must involve an end to all forms of violence and the progressive dismantling of the terrorist infrastructure and their total disarmament. As the Prime Minister said in his pledges to the people of Northern Ireland, those who use or threaten violence will be excluded from the government of Northern Ireland.

I reiterate the firm resolve of the Ulster Unionist Party that we will not sit in an Executive with anyone who fails to make that committment. In the case of Republicans, my Party reaffirsm its manifesto pledge that we will not sit in an Executive with Sinn Fein until the IRA has begun a credible, verifiable and ongoing process of decommissioning leading to complete disarmament by May 2000 as required by the Agreement.

We must never forget the real victims of terrorist violence. That is why I consider it a priority that they are properly compensated for the suffering they have had to endure.

Yours sincerely

[Signed by Jim Nicholson]

5 things everyone who cares about Northern Ireland should know:

• Jim Nicholson is Ulster's only full-time Euro MP. His knowledge and expertise are second to none.
• Jim Nicholson believes there is no place for Sinn Fein/IRA in the Assembly executive without decommissioning - no guns hand in, no hand in Government.
• Jim Nicholson has been active on behalf of the Northern Ireland Agriculture Industry. He is also committed to a fairer distribution of the 500 million euro PEACE fund. Unionist communities must be guaranteed their share.
• Jim Nicholson supports the RUC and will not allow them to be sacrificed to appease republicans.
• Jim Nicholson opposes the single currency, political union and tax harmonisation - national issues should be left to national governments.

NICHOLSON 1
VOTE ULSTER UNIONIST

Election Communication Constituency of Northern Ireland

ULSTER FIRST

Ian Paisley is the only Unionist who can top the poll at this election. Make your vote count.
1 PAISLEY keeps ULSTER first!

One year after the signing of the Belfast Agreement YOU have a unique opportunity to give your verdict on its outcome. This is your only chance to reverse the treachery of the past year.

SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT

• the pledges made by the Prime Minister have been abandoned;
• over 200 terrorist prisoners have been released;
• the Parades Commission continues unabated in denying Protestants their right to freely walk the Queen's highway;
• the RUC has been undermined;
• punishment beatings have increased;
• political progress is being held to ransom by the IRA;
• the rights of the unionist community have been downgraded while special privileges have been given to the Nationalist community, and
• Mr. Trimble has brought into place all the United Ireland proposals of the Belfast Agreement, thereby completely surrendering to Dublin.

In the European Parliament I have been your voice, unafraid of speaking out on these crucial matters while John Hume and Jim Nicholson have supported the Agreement which opens the doors for IRA/Sinn Fein's place in government.
In a Europe of so many competing interests I have never permitted Northern Ireland to be sidelined or pushed around by those who care little about you.
I have listened to you, lobbied for you, debated on your behalf and won on your behalf!
My reputation is one of being a friend of the farmers and a contender for the rights of consumers. On issues such as Objective One Status, Reform of the CAP, Enlargement and preservation of the British pound, by voting 1 Paisley you will ensure that Ulster is always first.

1 PAISLEY keeps ULSTER first!
For twenty years IAN PAISLEY has represented you in Europe. He is the ONLY Unionist who can TOP THE POLL at this election. Make your vote count.