Spats within unionist political parties are in no way a new thing

(Read more: ‘Arlene Foster warned DUP MLAs not to rebel — but weakened DUP leader now is not disciplining them,’ July 30)

In my time the Ulster Unionist Party was a rowdy ship with members opposing a leader from within and DUP opposing from without.

Even the ‘Big Man,’ who was a very powerful figure, was replaced when some of us believed he had his top position well secured for a long time.

Remember David Trimble: requiring ‘Manufactured Unionists’ so he could become first minister.

No surprises then, that Arlene Foster who I think is a determined person, was opposed by DUP MLAs over her controversial shared leadership bill on ministerial powers. It is reported she warned against opposition.

Whether true or false, I think the senior DUP MPs were right to advise on taking a break to take stock. Wearing a blindfold to follow a leader no matter what is not good unless we all know the implications.

I assure you some steady, mature, kindly, folk were confused and wondered why our first minister was reported as driving this bill through.

Don’t take the expressions of a has-been local councillor. Let the people speak through an appropriate survey to assess what they think we need to make a success of Northern Ireland.

David Barbour, former UUP councillor, Coleraine

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