A Matter of Fact
AUTHOR: Peter Dunne
I am sick and tired of people who wilfully or otherwise seek to portray UnitedFuture as something we are not. We are not an extreme, narrowly based group as some like to pretend, but a legitimate mainstream political party. To put us into an international perspective, have a look at the the mission statements of Britain's Liberal Democrats, Ireland's Fine Gael and New Zealand's UnitedFuture Parties. I defy anyone to spot the differences!
Britain’s Liberal Democracts …
“exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity. We believe that the role of the state is to enable all citizens to attain these ideals, to contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives.”
Ireland’s Fine Gael (United Ireland) Party is a party of the progressive centre…
"That means we act in a way that is right for Ireland, regardless of dogma or ideology. Fine Gael bases its policies and its ideas for the future of Ireland on its core beliefs. Fine Gael wants to create a fair and caring society where everybody is engaged in democracy, and where there are no barriers to equal opportunity. Fine Gael stands for investment in our public services and sees health and education as rights, not privileges. Fine Gael encourages initiative, innovation, investment and self-reliance. The Party also believes in preserving, enhancing and sharing prosperity. Fine Gael stands for a vibrant, competitive economy. To that end, we believe Government policy should encourage initiative and reward hard work, thus driving economic activity and creating jobs. Fine Gael wants to build a safe society in Ireland by protecting citizens and enforcing the law. The Party also believes in strengthening families, in all their modern forms, and in fostering communities. Fine Gael stands for law and order. We believe in tough sentences for criminals and more Gardai on the beat while also tackling the root causes of crime like poverty and educational disadvantage. Fine Gael believes in being truthful and courageous in what we do, and in promoting and upholding both the rights and the responsibilities of people. Fine Gael stands for integrity in public life. We believe in ensuring all of us live up to our responsibilities as well as enjoying our rights as Irish men and women. Fine Gael wants to build an Ireland of excellence and ambition. We hope to do this by promoting a shared vision of a confident and sustainable future for Ireland, both at home and abroad. Fine Gael stands for a climate of hope. To achieve this, we believe in enhancing Ireland's international reputation through our support for the European Union, protecting communities through balanced regional development and safeguarding our children's future through protection of the environment."
New Zealand’s UnitedFuture Party is a modern centre party, focused on New Zealand's best interests. We promote strong families and vibrant communities. We seek a fair, and open society, free from poverty, ignorance and prejudice, and based on innovation, self-reliance, justice and integrity in business and personal dealings. We promote a sustainable environment, and a competitive economy which encourages growth, prosperity, ownership and opportunity through market policies where possible, and government where necessary. We want all New Zealanders, whatever their background, race or creed, to have the chance to enjoy everything that is good in our country.
So whenever our position is misrepresented or we are described as something we are not, confront the critics with the above, and challenge them to explain why we are supposedly different.