Lodge Life: Vote to maintain the Union at the ballot box

In 2021 Northern Ireland will mark its centenary '“ a momentous date for Ulster Unionism and one which will see us celebrate the creation of our country and our proud place within the United Kingdom.

It is in this context that we, the local electorate, go to the polls next week to elect a new Assembly which will have a mandated term of office incorporating this special anniversary in less than five years.

The Orange fraternity has traditionally been proactive and responsive in terms of voting, turning out in high numbers across the country.

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However, we must never be complacent and it is essential that unionism continues to be represented to its maximum potential at Stormont.

Republicans simply do not care if Northern Ireland succeeds as an integral part of the United Kingdom. We are also mindful those with an anti-British agenda would score a victory if the pro-Union electorate does not make its voice heard.

As an Institution with a broad range of political opinion across our membership, we will not be advising them which parties or individuals they should vote for, that is solely a matter of personal preference.

However, once again we would encourage all our members, family and friends to exercise their democratic franchise on March 2.

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Voters should give their preferences to all those candidates who are committed to seeing the Union maintained, before voting for any other individual.

The Institution believes there is no benefit for unionism in voting for those parties whose ultimate goal is a united Ireland.

That has been our longstanding position, and will always remain the case.

The Orange Order seeks to be a catalyst, where possible, to bring unionists together on common causes or certain issues.

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Indeed, I have corresponded with each of the respective unionist party leaders wishing them, and their candidates, well in next week’s Assembly poll.

I also underlined to them, with the certainty of protracted negotiations in the weeks ahead, of the need to coalesce around and influence certain outstanding legacy matters, including victims and parades.

For instance, no unionist should object to new parading legislation. A key outcome of any such talks must be new laws and regulations, which are fair and equitable to all communities.

We have long maintained protestors and objectors should not be treated any more favourably than parade organisers, and any form of future regulation must be transparent and fully accountable.

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Also, the needs of victims must be at the front and centre of any negotiations. As an organisation that had 333 of its members murdered during the Troubles, we simply cannot accept any equivocation between terrorists and the innocent victims of their vile campaign of violence.

We strongly object to all attempts by republicans to rewrite the past, and are totally dismayed at the ongoing and hugely one-sided witch-hunt against members of our security forces.

Rather, those individuals who instigated their murderous campaign behind balaclavas, should be in the dock facing the full rigours of the law.

Meanwhile, the demonisation of our Institution by elements of society shows no signs of abating. We would encourage our prospective elected representatives to oppose, at all times, any attempts to marginalise or disparage our cultural traditions.

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As Northern Ireland moves closer to the commencement of its second centenary, it stands again at a crossroads.

Next week, we will be offered the opportunity to reinforce and maintain the Union at the ballot box. We must take it, and not let our opponents succeed in their efforts to weaken our constitutional position within the United Kingdom.