Peter Robinson on...the future of unionism
MR Robinson argues that the current three-way split between the DUP, UUP and TUV is not in the best interests of the "unionist community".
"As I said the day I became leader of this party, I was happy to sit down with the UUP to talk about a way forward and I'm willing to talk to any unionist on that basis.
"I think it's important that we maximise the unionist representation but it has to be on the basis of agreed policies and principles."
Speaking of the current three-way split in unionism, Mr Robinson says: "There's nothing new in the 'united we stand, divided we fall' – I just hope unionism doesn't have to learn its lesson the hard way.
"In the Westminster election, a divided unionism will ensure that we send nationalists and republicans to Westminster.
"In the Assembly election, divided unionism will assist Sinn Fein's goal of becoming First Minister and holding on to more portfolios that anyone else in the Executive. That would be the folly of division.
"There is a responsibility on the political leadership to attempt to have a proper working relationship.
"If there is the potential of us getting agreement, even if it's only a working agreement, never mind one unionist party, then let's do that – let's have better relationships within the unionist community.
"We're pushing in the same direction although we may state our case differently and might have slightly different nuances on what we want."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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