I WAS confused by Alex Kane’s analysis of the Northern Ireland Conservatives’ launch (June 18).
Mr Kane says the party is not focused enough on local politics, yet he also takes it to task for the lack of ‘big hitters’ from Westminster at the event.
He advises a grassroots emphasis, yet he criticises the volunteering ethos of the party.
The truth is that, although the launch reiterated the importance of Northern Ireland having a voice in UK politics, it majored on local issues, local politics and local personalities.
David Cameron’s message, picked up in a later edition of the News Letter, advocated “centre-right politics, with a Northern Irish accent”.
The speakers included people like Councillor Brian Dunn, Lesley Macaulay and Trevor Ringland, who are doing hard work, on the ground, within their local communities.
The party also announced a range of policy groups, which will be charged with developing an alternative to the status quo at Stormont.
If the launch had been a glitzy affair, stage-managed by PR people from London, Alex would have been the first to cry foul.
His predictions about the demise of the NI Conservatives have proved wide of the mark.
As a centre-right commentator, he should now forget his stung pride and celebrate the arrival of a Conservative Party which is genuinely a party for Northern Ireland.
Lloyd Burbidge
NI Conservatives, North Down
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