Ulster Unionists are in a different world - Finlay

BALLYMONEY Councillor John Finlay has potentially opened up a ward of words with the Ulster Unionist Party by accusing them of "living in a different world" following remarks to the Times last week stating that their party, the UUP, was "on the up" in North Antrim.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Oct 2010, 13:26 BST
Updated 4th Oct 2010, 16:57 BST

Cllr Finlay said: “The UUP are clearing living in a different world. Earlier this year the UUP actually lost 5% of their vote in North Antrim. Where does the UUP expect this UUP landslide to come from?

“People have no confidence in the UUP. After several disastrous elections they have lost their way. In 2003 the DUP took over the mantle of Unionism after a series of bad decisions by the UUP, led by David Trimble, in relation to the Belfast Agreement and putting armed terrorists at the heart of Government; not once or twice, but three times.

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“Today, my party remains strong holding eight out of the 18 Westminster seats. This is how Unionism lies today: strong, vibrant and confident under the DUP.

“I suggest that the UUP source doesn’t give up the day job, as they have clearly proven themselves to be a bad gambler.

“In 2009 an Ulster Unionist stated that my party was under threat from Jim Allister. They were proven very wrong as in May 2010 Ian Paisley Jnr was elected with a resounding 46.4% of the vote and a majority of 12,558 votes. Jim Allister fell on his own sword, he represents the politics of the past and the people of North Antrim recognise that.

“The UUP are losing a very decent and honourable man in Robert Coulter. I wish him well in his retirement.” Councillor Finlay added.

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In response, an Ulster Unionist source claimed that Cllr. Finlay had misread the article.

“It merely stated that the Unionists were ‘on the march’ and that they were planning a concerted campaign for next year’s Assembly elections.

“Maybe Cllr. Finaly doesn’t believe or is too scared to believe that the Ulster Unionists can convince the electorate of North Antrim that there is a viable alternative to the DUP.

“We are not going to engage in any war of words with him or any member of his party. We will, instead, focus on ensuring that the electorate can put their faith in a party who will concentrate on the postive instead of the usual tribal politics spewed out by the likes of Cllr. Finlay.”

Related topics:Ulster Unionist PartyUnionistsJim AllisterUlsterUnionism