ENTERPRISE Minister Arlene Foster believes the Westminster seat in Fermanagh-south Tyrone “can be taken” from Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew next year.

Speaking at the Democratic Unionist Party conference in Belfast earlier today, the Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA looked ahead to the general election.

“This country depends on a strong Democratic Unionist Party in order to secure our future within a United Kingdom. We cannot rely on any of the other parties to help us in this battle.  “Everyone knows that Sinn Fein is economically illiterate when it comes to public finances. The SDLP are opposed to everything but cannot propose anything; and the Ulster Unionists have a different policy every day depending on what sound bite suits them best,” she said.

Minister Foster stated that many of the problems facing the economy in Northern Ireland “are a result of the cuts coming from the Westminster government”.

“We should also remember that the Ulster Unionist Party were joined at the hip to the Tories at the last Westminster election and campaigned for the very cuts that they now complain about.

“Looking to next year’s election we need to ensure that we maximise the number of DUP MPs being returned to Westminster to represent Northern Ireland. It is vital that we also look at seats that are currently being held by non-Unionists and work to ensure that we do what is right to ensure that these are returned to the Unionist family — we need to rise above party politics and look at what best suits our country.

“I believe that the light can be turned off on Alastair McDonald in South Belfast, Naomi Long can pack her bags in east Belfast and Fermanagh-south Tyrone can be taken once again from Sinn Fein. Conference, we should never forget it takes only four votes,” said Minister Foster.