Stop the grandstanding and get real about unity in marginal seats - Allister
11 March 2010
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
"It's time to stop the play acting and politicking over Fermanagh & South Tyrone and South Belfast. There is a way to guarantee the best prospect of unionist success and that is for both the DUP and UUP to be prepared to put success before their respective egos by helping to find a cross-unionist standard bearer from unionist civic society who can unite all unionists in each of these constituencies. A willingness by both DUP and UUP to stand aside in favour of such candidates will galavanise the emergence of such candidates.
"In Fermanagh & South Tyrone, for example, I doubt if either Arlene Foster or Tom Elliott could unite all unionists, but an unfettered non-party unionist, unhindered by political baggage, certainly could.
"I fear that for some, who are wanting to be seen to be shouting the loudest about unity, it is only posturing designed to distract from their own solo run on policing and justice. Having sidelined and villified other unionists, in favour of keeping faith with Sinn Fein over the nefarious Hillsborough Deal, cheap talk about unionist unity is a useful DUP tactic, but if they are serious let them, and the UUP, declare support for finding non-party winners in these two seats."
