A senior member of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party has issued a warning about the fragmentation of unionism as a result of there being too many political parties.
A senior member of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party has issued a warning about the fragmentation of unionism as a result of there being too many political parties.
Speaking in her assembly constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, the DUP MLA and enterprise minister Arlene Foster explained:
“Unionism must step back and look at the damage which splits and splinters are doing to the cause.
“The only winner from the inter-unionist bickering is Sinn Féin. While unionists focus on attacking each other, republicans and nationalists unite around two parties.”
According to one list there are at least eight unionist parties registered in Northern Ireland.
In 2010, Sinn Fein candidate Michelle Gildernew beat unionist unity candidate Rodney Connor in the same constituency, which Ms Foster said was due to unionist infighting. Foster expanded:
“Due to unionist in-fighting, there were well in excess of four votes spoilt by unionists.
“That was a strategic error by those unionists. I have spoken to some people who felt the need to destroy their vote at that time. They now regret that decision.”
Calling on unionists to “strengthen unionism rather than consistently attempt to undermine each other” Foster concluded ahead of next month’s local and European elections:
“The DUP is always in favour of greater co-operation between unionist parties.
“The desire must be to have a strong and united unionism where all shades of unionism work together as a collective.”
One Response to “Unionists need to unite, argues Northern Irish minister”
AMS2013
Who cares about Unionists? They are dinosaurs.