Over recent days some of the vested political interests seeking to create and maintain divisions within the unionist family have raised their voices. They argue for a continuation of division and acrimony. Einstein said madness is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Unionist division makes Unionists want to stay at home, continuing division and bitterness will increase the number of Unionist non-voters. The long-term interests of Northern Ireland are served through Unionist co-operation not through perpetuating still further division.

It is widely expected that a General Election will be called for May 6.

With the political polls revealing a narrowing gap between the main parties, it is clear a hung parliament is a possibility, making the coming general election the most exciting in many years.

The Titanic Quarter development has the potential to be one of the most exciting and innovative things to happen in Belfast, more accurately in Northern Ireland, in many generations. Out of the ashes of our once thriving heavy industry sector should emerge a vibrant, modern and cosmopolitan living space with large-scale business and innovative technological development, to rival anything which has been achieved by similar projects elsewhere in the world. The venture is Europe's largest waterfront development.

It should be a priority for all politicians to support the development of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). They are the lifeblood of our economy.

Businesses, large or small, face similar problems but the major difference is the limited resources available to the small business owner.  SME owners struggle to manage existing red tape and cumbersome employment laws while trying to make a profit.  Inevitably, crucial areas such as research & development (R&D) and innovation are seen as a further cost or burden, rather than an opportunity.

The Province’s long established dependence on the public sector – which has now swallowed up almost one third of the workforce - is not helping to build a more potent, pro-active economic base for the future, with more emphasis needed on developing commercial life.

Robin Newton, east Belfast MLA and Belfast City councillor believes that to achieve this innovation and entrepreneurship in an increasingly global economy, many things need to happen, including the forging of better partnerships.

Belfast is the gateway to Northern Ireland.  It serves as the shop window to all that lies behind and despite some recent job losses; Belfast’s economy has been enjoying good growth. While at all times it is necessary to view any economy holistically, it is always the capital or regional city that will set the economic pace. The prosperity, or indeed the poverty, of Belfast would have an unplanned effect on the other cities, towns and villages of Northern Ireland.

Thankfully, the city’s tourism industry is currently booming; in fact it has grown by over 400% since 1994, seeing Belfast emerge as Europe’s most popular short stay destination.  In 2005, tourists generated £284.9 million and helped to support nearly 16,000 jobs.  According to the reputable business magazine “Management Horizons Classification”, Belfast has risen from Mr Average’ to ‘Mr Glam’.

Economic prosperity is an essential ingredient for a real and sustainable peace in Northern Ireland.  Successful western economies are underpinned by a working age population with skills and knowledge at all levels of attainment.

Northern Ireland once had a vocational training and skills programme that was the envy of Europe. Statutory training boards covered all major sectors of industry and Government Training Centres (GTCs) provided excellence in training for apprenticeship skills. This successful training system was demolished and replaced by voluntary arrangements.

However, the Government has now developed with employers, an alternative: the UK-wide Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) and local Sector Skills Councils. Whilst this is a welcome move it does not completely fill the gap, as employers are recruiting eastern European skilled labour to meet manpower shortages.