Defeated UUP woman Jo-Anne Dobson blames Nesbitt for her loss

Outgoing party leader Mr Nesbitt came under fire from many unionists ahead of last week’s snap election, after revealing he planned to give his second preference vote to the SDLP.

In an interview in yesterday’s Belfast Telegraph, Mrs Dobson claimed Mr Nesbitt’s remarks came as a shock to UUP members, and welcomed Mr Nesbitt’s decision to stand aside as leader.

She said: “I think he was right to stand down. His comments about transferring his vote to the SDLP were not helpful - especially without consulting party members and just two weeks out from an election.

“I’ve never seen the DUP jump on a get-out-of-jail-free card as quickly as they did with that. It changed the whole dynamics. While I appreciate what he was trying to do, it wasn’t how it was picked up by voters on the doorstep.”

And a senior party member, who did not wish to be named, has told the News Letter they “would not disagree” with Mrs Dobson’s comments.

“There can be no doubt that what Mike said cost us votes,” our source said.

“If the poll had taken place before Mike said what he said (about transferring to SDLP), then I am sure the party would have performed better.

“After he said his words, there was a mood change. I am not saying that what he said was a bad thing, but it didn’t need to be verbalised.

“It spooked a lot of people, and it could certainly be argued that it cost Jo-Anne her seat.”

The Belfast Telegraph also reported yesterday that Mrs Dobson said she had received thousands of messages of support from constituents and party colleagues since losing her seat..

Mrs Dobson, who it is believed did not attend last Friday’s election count, revealed that she already had a number of job offers, which she was considering, although it was her work as an MLA where her heart still lay.

“I was shocked and I’m devastated. It is a job I gave 24/7 to and a job I was so honoured to do and loved,” she added.