Parties ‘working together on Westminster matters’
DUP and Ulster Unionist members are also working together at Westminster, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said last night.
The DUP MP said that he and former Ulster Unionist leader Lord Empey were working together on the issue of the military covenant and that since last year’s election there was a markedly better mood between the parties.
The former Ulster Unionist said that although the UUP now has no MPs in the House of Commons there was cooperation within the Palace of Westminster between the two parties.
“There is significant cooperation now at a very practical level in the Assembly with Danny Kennedy attending ministerial meetings prior to the Executive each week and I think both parties have found that to be helpful,” he said,
“It would appear to me a natural progression from that for the two parties to work more closely together in the Assembly generally, whether that be in committees or at plenary level.
“At Westminster there has also been cooperation and, for example, myself and Lord Empey have been working together on matters relating to the military covenant.
“I think that since the elections there has been a much improved atmosphere between the two parties.”
Asked whether he believes that this is because of the absence of an election for the foreseeable future, Mr Donaldson said: “I think it’s partly that, yes, but I think it’s also a realisation that unionism really has to work together.
“We are two parties in a coalition government and therefore there is an absolute imperative that we try to find common ground and work that common ground to the benefit of the people that we represent.
“If we’re going to build a shared future in Northern Ireland, surely the sharing must start within each of the respective traditions?
“It’s very difficult to build a bridge across a community if you haven’t got strong supports on either side and for unionism that means the two parties working more closely together and perhaps one day coming together formally.”
Mr Donaldson said he would like to see cooperation between the parties in choosing candidates for the next election but that ultimately he would “absolutely” like to see a single unionist party.
“I think the two parties could do more to maximise unionist representation at all levels and indeed perhaps the greatest challenge facing us at the minute is the fact that in many areas only a third of unionist voters are coming out to vote.
“Now there is significant potential there to increase the unionist vote and increase unionist representation. I think that is best done through cooperation.”
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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