Peter Robinson’s idea of a pro Union think tank deserves support

Peter Robinson’s wish, in last Friday’s News Letter, for a strategic ‘think tank’ in preparation for a border poll is worthy of consideration and support.
By Alex Kane
Published 29th Oct 2020, 09:00 BST
Updated 29th Oct 2020, 23:31 BST
Peter Robinson now writes a bi weekly column for the News Letter every other Friday. His next column is next weekPeter Robinson now writes a bi weekly column for the News Letter every other Friday. His next column is next week
Peter Robinson now writes a bi weekly column for the News Letter every other Friday. His next column is next week

(His article can be read here: ‘NI needs a pro Union group that will help in any border poll,’ October 23)

It was common knowledge over loyalist history that some unionists in both the Ulster Unionist Party and DUP saw Mr Robinson as a strategist who scuttled their personal ambitions and dreams.

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To help this project succeed in defence of Northern Ireland, can we for a season set aside those memories, and form a united group.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

Alex Kane once listed numerous brands of unionist leaders, parties and coalitions in the pro Union battlefield.

During meetings surrounding the Belfast Agreement in 1998 I bumped into Sam Foster (later a minister in David Trimble’s government). I regarded Sam as a quiet, decent, courteous and thoughtful person.

His accurate analysis of unionism was a struggle between parties to appear as the ‘Saviour of Ulster’.

How right he was.

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Let us hope in this proposed effort we cast such foolishness aside and accept each other as we are for the common good.

David Barbour, Former Ulster Unionist councillor, Coleraine

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Related topics:Peter RobinsonUlster Unionist PartyNorthern IrelandDUP