THE DUP will have a lot of explaining to do following last week's by-election defeat, Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea has said.
"Why did they insist on calling a by-election for which there was no need? Could we not have found a better use for the £15,000 and more this election will have cost," he said.
"The only justification that Edwin Poots could come with was that some D
UP councillors want to select their friend, a former UUP councillor. This hardly seems the right reason. Whilst there is no denying the benefit of experience, we also need fresh faces, news ideas and more energy into local politics."
Mr McCrea said the by-election gave the UUP the opportunity to get out and meet people.
"We listened to what people had to say and we are delighted to have the opportunity to address these issues," he continued.
"Whilst there is no doubt that many many people are very disappointed in the DUP, local issues, local representation and local solutions were very much to the fore in our discussions. People seem to value having a local office in the town, making our elected representatives so much more accessible.
real difference
"I hope and believe that Carol Black will make a real difference to the people of Dromore and the surrounding district and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who came out to vote.
"I would particularly like to thank the UUP canvas team young and old, male and female who worked like Trojans as part of a team to get this result. This is their result and it augurs well for the future," he added.
"Thursday was a great day for the UUP and proof that hard work and patience do have their reward. I send my commiserations to those candidates who were not elected, all had some measure of success and no doubt we will see them again, for now though it is down to the hard work and I am sure that Carol and the UUP will deliver for the people of Dromore."
