THE British Labour Party's election manifesto, to be published this morning, is not expected to repeat the party's long standing commitment to the goal of Irish unity by consent. Instead, the party leadership will emphasise its commitment to reconciling the unionist and nationalist traditions within the three stranded framework for multi party talks.
The move will anger traditional nationalist supporters in Labour's ranks, and be seen as further evidence of Mr Tony Blair's shift to a position of neutrality on the constitutional options facing the North. But sources say the changed emphasis "reflects the realities of a changed world" and spells out the practical implications of, and the limits imposed by, the party's commitment to the principle of "consent".
Adapting the language of the Joint Framework Documents and the Downing Street Declaration, the Labour manifesto will quote the widespread acceptance that the North's future must be determined by the consent of the people there.
Labour will recognise that the option of Irish unity does not command unionist consent. But the party will also argue that neither does the existing status of Northern Ireland enjoy the consent of nationalists. It will stress its commitment to the reconciliation of the two traditions and the achievement of a broadly based political settlement capable of commanding the support of both.
Mr Blair will stress that Northern Ireland would command the same priority under his premiership, as under Mr Major's. And Labour will say it expects the continuation of the bipartisan policy at Westminster from a Conservative Opposition. The manifesto will echo Conservative commitments to taking effective security measures to counter the ongoing terrorist threat.
But in contrast to the Conservative manifesto reference to the North - which makes no mention of the peace process or the Anglo Irish framework - Labour will emphasise its commitment to continue to seek agreement in co operation with the Irish Government and the Northern political parties.
The manifesto is unlikely to advance Labour's position on the terms for Sinn Fein's entry to a talks process, but will repeat previous commitments to implement "confidence building measures related to policing, human rights, protection from discrimination at work, and the handling of parades.
Following Dr Mo Mowlam's weekend comments, suggesting a "high possibility" that Sinn Fein could be admitted to resumed talks in early June if the IRA called an immediate ceasefire and honoured it "by word and deed" in the interim, Labour sources maintain there is no question of the party holding talks with Sinn Fein until, and unless a ceasefire is declared.
Despite Dr Mowlam's consistency with the Conservative government's declared position, Defence Secretary, Mr Michael Portillo last night criticised her, saying: "I don't think the timing or the content of her remarks was right. I don't think we can start talking about dates because I don't think there is any evidence at all that the IRA is about to embark on a ceasefire.