Letter: With elections less than a year away, political unionism needs to resolve its differences and get its act together
A letter from David McNarry:
Polls predicting a near even split between the popularity of the three main unionist parties are not surprising.
They demonstrate the extent of how unsettled voters are. The integrity, principles and objectives implicit in unionism cannot be beyond the comprehension of the leaderships.
I am confident in predicting that a unified single unionist party would be welcomed by an overwhelming electoral support.
Alarmingly it is the absence of instinct, intellect, strategic nous and sense that are holding back positive discussion inside unionism. So too is it obvious that the will is lacking to project policies capable of binding unionists together in setting a common unionist agenda.
That said, it is perplexing that, privately, politicians and influential activists openly admit to the growing gravitational pull toward a corporate 'unified unionist party'.
Given the absurd non-existence of proposals from any of the leaderships relating to contesting elections and maximising the unionist vote to secure a pro-Union majority, the proposition of 'mutualising' party political unionism as a formidable election single party is worth discussing.
Effectively, mutualisation brings together the DUP-UUP-TUV or any two as shareholders investing in a new single party – incorporated solely and exclusively to contest elections.
Be in no doubt that with elections less than a year away, political unionism needs to resolve its differences and get its act together.
A tried and tested mechanism is to call a 'unionist convention' – a forum for frank and open discussion with representation from within the unionist family participating; a body of interests able to appreciate unionist credentials debating what is in unionism’s best future interests. Deciding between separatist division or mutualised unionism or better! But ensuring that no leadership walks away without being accountable to the electorate for their actions.
Sinn Fein's uncompromising plan to attain at any cost Irish unity must be met head on and repelled by a confident united unionist leadership.
David McNarry, ex Ulster Unionist and Ukip MLA for Strangford