Paisley article shows that the DUP are in denial
Monday, 14 December 2009
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In recent weeks, the Press has been dominated by calls from the DUP in relation to unionist deals, unionist pacts and unionist unity. Ian Paisley Junior's commentary (December 10) is just one of them.
The DUP seems to be in utter denial. In calling for unionist unity there is a complete and utter failure on their part to acknowledge that it was the DUP who created a division in unionism in the first place. When Ian's father founded the DUP in 1971 he created a split in unionism which has lasted for nearly 40 years.
In his column, Ian criticises the Ulster Unionist Party for our working relationship with the Conservative Party. He claims the UUP do exactly what we are told by our Conservative colleagues - what a load of rubbish!
During his address to our conference last year, David Cameron made the strongest commitment yet by a Conservative Leader to the Union; he clearly stated that he would not be neutral on the Union, which has been Government policy for over 30 years.
It seems odd to me that Ian thinks that the UUP's relationship with the pro-Union Conservative party is wrong, but his conversion to being in government with Sinn Fein is OK!
Ian also condemns our intention to stand in every seat - yet this is what the DUP did in 2005.
What Ian offers as an olive branch will be received as intended - a tactic by the DUP to reverse some of the damage they faced at the European election in June.
This is a short-term point scoring exercise to divert attention from their failures. If the DUP had been serious about a pact, correspondence would not have been received through the media, but through senior party officials. The only long-term solution to this is for unionists to unite around policy. This is how we will ensure that Northern Ireland is placed at the heart of the Union.
SIR REG EMPEY MLA
Leader, Ulster Unionist Party
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"There is also further evidence of rising English nationalism with support for the establishment of an English parliament hitting an historic high of 68 per cent amongst English voters. Almost half – 48 per cent – also want complete independence for England, divorcing itself from Wales and Northern Ireland as well. Scottish voters also back an English breakaway with 58 per cent supporting an English parliament with similar powers to the Scottish one."
(The Telegraph, 26 Nov 2006)
The unfortunate truth for Unionists is that their ideology is a relic of the past.
They seek union with an entity which firstly doesn't want them and secondly increasingly wishes to go their separate ways. When Scotland and England again become independent nations, where do Unionists go? Attempt to become a province of Scotland? Continue to rely on the English taxpayer?
The paucity of Unionist ideology is evident.
Posted by Donald Goines | 17.12.09, 11:17 GMT
what about policies? Its just another case of put a Union flag around any donkey and send it to the 'thickos' for election! What about the people ? I repeat what are you wanting to do when you are in power? Is there anybody listening to the people of Ulster in politics? Please 'Sir' lets us know what we peasants will do for 'you' and your circus when we elect you all. My uncle could walk for you [ great marcher}and my sisters they are great flag wavers! could you give them jobs kind Sir?
Posted by mike Irvine | 15.12.09, 11:16 GMT
"Ian also condemns our intention to stand in every seat - yet this is what the DUP did in 2005."
Thing is the DUP finished as the top unionists in those seats where the unionist vote was split and those were the very same seats where the DUP offered the UUP pacts in 2005.
Nice selective history Reg.
Posted by WindsorRocker | 15.12.09, 03:40 GMT
Sir Reg Empey - and your letter isn't a short-term point scoring exercise?
How about enforcing and backing up your proposals instead of this joke we all call N.Irish politics?
Posted by Common sense | 14.12.09, 22:01 GMT
Steven, I agree. Not a very inspiring letter. And for a party leader to use language like "what a load of rubbish!" It looks like Northern Ireland's politicians still have a bit of growing up to do.
Posted by Watcher | 14.12.09, 18:22 GMT
Fermanagh South Tyrone in 2001 and South Belfast in 2005 were lost because the UUP bungled the succession to 2 long-serving MPs. The DUP promised free runs in both seats if the respective runners-up in the UUP selection contests (Arlene Foster and Christopher Montgomery) had been chosen instead of James Cooper and Michael McGimpsey.
But the UUP put up unattractive candidates just when Trimble was running the party into the ditch.
Of course, Sir Reg has a fair point about the DUP. But there's a time when all this has to be set aside. Most unionists want to maximise their representation, not to give away seats by default.
The UUP and DUP should sit down and work it out between themselves.
Posted by Dawson Bates | 14.12.09, 18:21 GMT
I direct this comment to those members of the UUP who may be observing feedback to this letter.
Reg Empy has utterly missed the point. He is correct in highlighting the DUPes hypocracy yet how can he manage to miss the real issue?
We the electorate, the law abiding people of this land are tired of sectarian politics.
We are tired of being told we must vote for a 'Unionist' or Nationalist candidate. We are tired of being patronised over this issue.
Do you honestly think people in this day and age, particularly younger generations view the World through such limited eyes?
Unless Unionism as a block wakes up and realises its future lies in conventional centre right politics it will wither and die. I guarantee it.
Posted by MS | 14.12.09, 17:48 GMT
in the last days of any battle - the losing factions will always grasp at straws and scurry around in a frantic attempt to cling to some kind of hope............
its usually in vain.............
Posted by Seymour Bunting | 14.12.09, 13:25 GMT
Watcher, I think you have misunderstood, this was a case of pot call the kettle black, how can the DUP be critical of the UUP working with the Conservative Party when they themselves share government with SF.
All in all, a not very inspiring letter.
Posted by Steven73 | 14.12.09, 11:24 GMT
What's all this about...?
"It seems odd to me that Ian thinks that the UUP's relationship with the pro-Union Conservative party is wrong, but his conversion to being in government with Sinn Fein is OK!"
So it's not OK for the DUP to sit in government with Sinn Fein? Has the UUP changed its policy and is now going to jettison the Belfast Agreement that the people of Northern Ireland voted for?
Posted by Watcher | 14.12.09, 06:36 GMT