MEP on the campaign trail
04 February 2008
Commenting on the Banbridge Council by-election, while campaigning in Dromore on Saturday, Jim Allister MEP said he was greatly encouraged by the response among grassroots Unionists and the fact that so many, despite all the spin of the DUP, still saw Sinn Fein as unfit for government and were appalled that it was being permitted to cling to its Army Council and its military wing, which had recently murdered Paul Quinn. “I believe”, he said, “many will use their votes in this by-election to wipe the smile off the Chuckle Brothers”.
“One of the encouragements in our campaign has been the number of former members of Lagan Valley DUP who have been out canvassing for our candidate, Keith Harbinson. Recently several members have resigned to join our ranks. It is notable how many Ulster Unionists, who joined the DUP with Jeffrey Donaldson, have now moved in behind us because of the abandonment of traditional unionist values which they thought they would find in the DUP. Hearing from the first Minister about “the north” and “great days for Ireland” and seeing innocent victims equated with the perpetrators of terrorism, hardly reassures.
This election is a timely opportunity for all concerned Unionists to be heard. It is instructive to ask which Unionist candidate Sinn Fein – having no chance themselves – hopes will win. The DUP, of course, because that would be used as an endorsement of Sinn Fein/IRA’s position at the heart of government and make them more secure there. Hence, many Unionists will rightly reject the Chuckle Coalition and vote for Keith Harbinson.”
