Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview in Belfast (I) – 14 December 1994

Below is the text of Mr Major’s doorstep interview held before entering the BT offices in Laganside, Belfast, on 14th December 1994.

QUESTION:

[Inaudible].

PRIME MINISTER:

Northern Ireland has had potential for a long time, that people have begun to realise, I think, basically over the last two years or so. Now they see the prospect of a lasting peace, of course that potential is immensely increased and the feedback we’ve had thus far has been extremely good. I could have asked for no more.

QUESTION:

There were some absentees this morning – Sinn Fein. What do you make of that?

PRIME MINISTER:

Well, I’m sorry that they did that. I think it was unnecessary but that’s the decision they must make. No doubt they’ll just make a small protest. But the reality is that what we’re here for is to provide jobs for the people Sinn Fein represent, that the Ulster Unionists represent, the DUP represent, that the Alliance Party represent. It’s the people of Northern Ireland that I’m here for this morning to try and provide more investment, more jobs, more hope, more prosperity and a better future for them, and I would hope that all political parties would support that.