United in push to win peace. Parties plea for Yes vote

In an almost unbelievable demonstration of political unity, the Prime Minister and his immediate predecessor, John Major, shared a platform to appeal to the people ''to give peace a chance''.

If the stakes had not been so high, it could have easily become ''the Tony and John show'' as first names and an outbreak of informal camaraderie were the order of the day.

Speaking to senior school pupils in Belfast, each made an impassioned plea to the people on both sides of the the sectarian divide to back the peace agreement.

They did not say as much, but the subliminal message was clearly that if they could come together to find a way forward for Ulster, then it was possible for the Northern Ireland politicians to unite.

The Prime Minister, who was 45 yesterday, said: ''It indicated that people across the political spectrum can unite around the agreement because it is fair and balanced and right.''

In a generous tribute to the former Prime Minister, he added: ''It is important to me because John Major was the person who put this process under way and we would not be in this position if he had not had the courage to take these first steps towards peace.''

Both politicians appeared to be singing from the same hymn sheet. Their message was unequivocal - there was only one way forward, and the alternative would be a tragic step backwards.

Mr Blair insisted a Yes vote was still only a midway point ''but it enabled them to have a chance''. In a direct appeal to the people, he said: ''I can't believe serious sensible people cannot sit down and make sense of all this.

''In Northern Ireland, we genuinely want to do our best. Come on, there's got to be a better way. It offers the only chance of a better way. From the bottom of our hearts we appeal to you to take that chance.''

Earlier in the day, it emerged that Sinn Fein's ruling executive would urge their members at Sunday's special conference to vote ''Yes'' in the referendums on both sides of the Border.

The decision was originally leaked but Sinn Fein chairman Mitchell McLaughlin said: '' I can confirm that the party, recognising the difficulties it is going to cause, has taken a view that we should vote Yes in the referendums.''

Just as significantly, it emerged that the IRA's Army Convention was ready to abandon its opposition to Sinn Fein taking seats in the proposed Northern Ireland Assembly. The hugely significant shift of policy signals the end of the IRA's long held policy of abstentionism.

As hardline politicians on both sides appeared increasingly marginalised, the Prime Minister will meet representatives of the Orange Order in Downing Street today in a bid to win their support and, at the very least, neutralise their opposition.

Mr Blair would not be drawn on the meeting but claimed the element of consent enshrined in the agreement should be enough to end the Orange Order's opposition.

He said: ''I shall try to ease the fears of the Orange Order. For years and years, they have wanted and talked about consent. Surely we have acknowledged that most important single element.''

The school pupils drawn from schools throughout Northern Ireland to see Mr Blair and Mr Major were impressed, if somewhat awe-struck, to be in the presence of such senior politicians.

Helen Currie, of St Catherine's College in Armagh, was delighted. She said: ''I thought it was wonderful. They answered very well. They were sincere and they argued their case.''

Ewen Coulter, from Ballymena Academy in the heart of Ian Paisley's stronghold, tried to maintain a cynical view, but even he was impressed. He said: ''It was a good publicity stunt but they did answer the questions and I shall be voting Yes.''

Mr Major, who revealed he had sent Mr Blair a supportive message when it looked as if the Stormont agreement was in difficulty in the early hours of Good Friday, claimed that ''the agreement up and running offered the best chance of stability for generations''.

Appealing to the electorate to be optimistic, he said: ''Where does Northern Ireland go with a No vote. People vote No through fear and uncertainty.

''If they vote Yes it is on a note of optimism. If they vote No it would be wrong. I know what's in Tony's mind now, there's no need to fear. I hope you and everyone in Northern Ireland give optimism and hope a chance.''

Earlier, Mr Major, in a speech with many New Labour overtones, delivered the same message to the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce. Conceding the agreement was a compromise, he had a swipe at its political opponents, saying: ''It is more difficult to make concessions and face people with the fact that compromise can improve life - even if it is imperfect compromise, as so often it must be.

''Such compromise is strength, not weakness. And weakness, if it lies anywhere, lies with those who cling rigidly to past uncertainties and cast aside opportunities ahead.''

q Prison officers are to stage an unprecedented mass walkout to call for the removal of the governor of the Maze Prison.

Up to 2500 officers are planning to break the law forbidding them to take industrial action and demonstrate outside the Maze and other top security prisons in Northern Ireland next Monday.

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