Nigel Dodds: Reg Empey is attacking other unionists when voters want a united approach
Lord Empey (‘DUP have no-one to blame but themselves for disastrous election,’ May 12, see link below) points to a fall in unionist seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly to 37 from 40 in the previous term.
Whilst spotting the symptom, as all too often in the past he manages to miss the root cause.
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Hide AdAt the election there were three constituencies where unionist seats were lost.
Across North Antrim, East Antrim and Strangford, sufficient votes were cast to return 12 unionist MLAs yet only 9 were elected.
A fractured unionist vote and a failure transfer to all pro-Union candidates saw those three seats he points to lost.
Lord Empey also refers to issues for which there is no evidence yet then levels a charge that it was at St Andrews that changes occurred in relation to the election of a first minister.
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Hide AdHaving referenced evidence it would be useful if he can produce a single sentence from the St Andrews Agreement which delivered that change. A desire to attack other unionists serves no purpose other than fuelling division and weakening the pro-Union cause.
That is the clear lesson to be drawn from this election — a united and cohesive unionism is not only what the unionist community what to see, but is what can ensure maximum unionist representation.
The unionist community want and expect better from all of us who stand publicly to promote our place within the United Kingdom.
As unionists we all share much more in common than divides us.
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Hide AdA shared commitment to promoting and enhancing that common cause will not just strengthen unionism, but can see increased unionist representation within the Northern Ireland Assembly and elsewhere.
Lord Dodds of Duncairn, House of Lords
• Other commentary:
• Samuel Morrison: The TUV got 8% of the vote in Northern Ireland and can no longer be ignored
• Peter Robinson May 11: Ignore those who are urging DUP to just go back into Stormont
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Hide Ad• Editorial May 11: Liz Truss hints at action on NI Protocol but unionists are right to be wary
• Ruth Dudley Edwards May 10: The nationalist vote is nowhere near enough for border poll
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Hide Ad• Editorial May 10: If Irish language gets pledge today so must an overhaul of protocol
• Henry McDonald May 9: A few facts are in order amid breathless reportage about SF
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Hide Ad• Emma Little Pengelly May 9: There has been no increase in the nationalist vote in 25 years
• Editorial May 9: It is clear that unionists need to have option of voting for a liberal party
• Henry McDonald May 7: Sinn Fein’s day in the sun but no new dawn for Irish unity
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Hide Ad• Editorial May 7: Unionism more than ever needs London’s help on the protocol
• Ben Lowry May 7: Unionist overall vote stays ahead of nationalist total, albeit narrowly
• Brian John Spencer: Unionism was given no wriggle room by nationalism