Unionist divisions remain
THE results of the European Election have given unionist leaders much to think about.
How they interpret the voting patterns and the actions they take as a result will have serious consequences in the next election.
In a major interview with the News Letter, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey seems to have ruled out electoral pacts with the DUP. Sir Reg says a pact with the DUP – even if it secures the seat for a unionist – is not in the long-term interest of the union.
Echoing what Conservative leader David Cameron said recently, Sir Reg indicated that the Conservative and Unionist alliance would field candidates in all 18 Westminster seats across the Province.
There is no doubt that Ulster Unionists feel buoyed by the re-election of Jim Nicholson as an MEP. Party officials watched the counting of the votes very closely and according to Sir Reg believe they are ahead or level with the DUP in nine or ten seats.
The DUP leader Peter Robinson is already working on his strategy for the next election.
In an interview on BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme yesterday he indicated that major changes were on the way for his party.
Double-jobbing, where politicians are MPs as well as MLAs, does not play well with the public.
Mr Robinson has said there will be big changes and we can expect to see different DUP names in senior positions in the Northern Ireland Assembly in the very near future.
The other unionist leader, Jim Allister of the Traditional Unionist Voice, is planning to build on a strong personal performance in the European Election. He intends to stand as a Westminster candidate in the DUP heartland of North Antrim – and it looks as if he will be up against Ian Paisley Jnr.
Unionist voting is certainly fragmented but the three parties are right to get themselves organised for the next election which should not be far away.
It is going to be a wonderful scrap for the hearts and minds of the unionist electorate.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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