Survey has revealed 'three unionist party model is no longer viable' says former UUP MLA Philip Smith
A survey of unionists has found that an overwhelming majority of respondents want to see pro-union parties merge together.
Ulster Unionist former MLA Philip Smith - whose organisation, Uniting UK, commissioned the survey - said that 92% of respondents favoured that outcome.
As to what shape such an amalgamation may take, 49% had said they would prefer a merger of the TUV, DUP, and UUP, whilst 43% favoured a DUP/UUP merger.
"With only 8% wanting to keep the political status quo, grassroots unionists are clear that the three-party model is no longer viable," writes councillor Smith in today's News Letter (click here to read his essay).
Meanwhile, in a message being issued today to DUP members, party leader Gavin Robinson has stressed the importance of "working together to promote the Union" (his message does not contain any reference to "merger").
"I stand ready to act in the widest interests of the pro-Union cause and to work across the unionist spectrum," said Mr Robinson.
"I have written to the incoming leader of the Ulster Unionist Party setting out our position and inviting him to meet.
"I look forward to working with Jon Burrows to see how our parties could co-operate and work towards building greater support for the Union and to test how we might best strengthen pro-Union co-operation leading to the election of more pro-Union members at local government, Assembly and Westminster elections.
"I have previously met with Jim Allister and he knows we stand ready to co-operate to maximise unionist representation.
"Unionism has no room to be complacent and while the DUP is working and planning for the future, I want to ensure in that planning process all unionist parties and grassroots groupings are involved."
Meanwhile the soon-to-be leader of the UUP Mr Burrows issued his own message yesterday - his first substantial one since he emerged as the sole candidate to take over from Mike Nesbitt.
He said: “To be the candidate for leadership fills me with immense pride and renewed energy.
"The people of Northern Ireland deserve a strong, confident, and pragmatic Ulster Unionist Party, one that delivers for them, addresses the current challenges in Northern Ireland with honesty, and strengthens the Union in the long term."
Mr Robinson’s message to the DUP base also says: “As leader of the largest Unionist party, I am determined to make every effort to ensure that Unionism does not squander the narrow window of opportunity that exists to prepare for the future and build, in partnership across Unionism, a movement that is connected, re-invigorated and representative of our pro-Union communities.
"I support, and want to reflect the desire across the grassroots of Unionism, to see unionist representatives and their political parties working together to promote the Union, to stand upfor all those who want to get on with their lives and who want to see our country prosper.
"Unionism’s collective voice and clout will be stronger if we work together and our people cansee a plan of action which they can help shape and then support.
"I have said it before and I will say it again; the truth is that if unionism has more seats, it will have more power to get things done.
"The opposite is also true, a divided and fractious unionism without co-operation will cost seats and our collective influence will diminish.”
He goes on to add: "I have previously met with Jim Allister and he knows we stand ready to co-operate to maximise unionist representation.
"Unionism has no room to be complacent and while the DUP is working and planning for the future, I want to ensure in that planning process all unionist parties and grassroots groupings are involved.”
In his piece for the News Letter today, councillor Smith (who was a Strangford MLA in 2016/17, and now sits on Ards and North Down Borough Council) said of his survey: "Unionist leaders have long preached realignment from conference stages, but their words rarely align with practical action.
"This data amplifies the voice of grassroots unionism who are united in saying that it is time for change.”
Uniting UK's online survey of 1,070 unionists was done in the autumn.
People were largely recruited to take part via social media, and councillor Smith said the polling work was done by two independent English companies, Lantern and Shore.